NA18127 Campaigns and Media Officer 2 posts. Post 1 - Communications Office (Location to be agreed)

Transcription

1 NA18127 Campaigns and Media Officer 2 posts Post 1 - Communications Office (Location to be agreed) Post 2 Temporary for 1 year with possible extension - Communications Office - Armagh Office Candidate Information Pack 1

2 Contents Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 Section 7 Background & Context Communications & Corporate Information Unit Job Description Person Specification Terms and Conditions of Appointment Recruitment and Selection Process Equal Opportunities 2

3 1. Background and Context The Education Authority (EA) wants every child to have an outstanding education. The EA was established under the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 and became operational on 1 April It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Education and the Department for the Economy. The EA is responsible for ensuring that high quality primary and secondary education services are available to meet the needs of children and young people, and for support for the provision of efficient and effective youth services. These services were previously delivered by five Education and Library Boards (ELBs). The organisation employs over 39,000 people across Northern Ireland in a wide variety of roles including teachers in controlled schools, schoolbased support staff and staff in administrative headquarters. The work we do impacts the lives of tens of thousands of children, young people and their families every day. The services we provide are essential in supporting, encouraging and facilitating learning within our communities to develop generations of young people who are equipped to succeed in life and work in the modern world. As a public sector organisation, we must continue to deliver these vital services in a challenging environment of increasing financial pressure and under intense public scrutiny. Future Challenges and Opportunities Recent focus has been on transition from the former ELBs to a single authority. Looking forward, this focus moves from transition to transformation. Emerging from the five ELBs our aim is to build a new organisation which is focused on meeting the needs of all our young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential. Work is underway to develop a strategic plan for the period This will provide a framework for the authority s activities and will guide the organisation through its transformation journey. The EA in all its activities will endeavour to support the Programme for Government to improve educational outcomes; reduce educational inequality; improve the quality of education and the skills profile of the population. The EA also recognises the fundamental role it has in other NI Executive priorities such as the economy and the wider success of Northern Ireland. These are exciting and challenging times for EA as we continue the process of transformation and seek fundamentally to transform education administration for the benefit of future generations of children and young people. 3

4 2. Communications and Corporate Information Unit As an employer of staff, providing a range of education a support services for over 1,000 schools and youth clubs across Northern Ireland, EA recognises its responsibility to engage in constructive dialogue with staff, partners and stakeholders. Our stakeholder base is broad and diverse and we operate under intense public and media scrutiny. The overarching goal of the Communication and Corporate Information Unit is to ensure that EA is an open, transparent and accessible organisation that communicates effectively. We are responsible for the development and implementation of communication and information strategies, policies and practices which contribute to the achievement of EA s vision, values and strategic objectives. We have a responsibility to ensure that EA delivers effectively on its responsibilities under Freedom of Information, Data Protection and Records Management legislation. We must also ensure the effective management of complaints about our services and ensure that our complaints policies and procedures encourage and facilitate business improvement across all of our services. As part of a strategic approach to communications, we are committed to creating a culture of engagement and dialogue with our staff, partners and stakeholders. This includes the development and implementation of an innovative, multi-channel communications strategy and portfolio of communications campaigns that will significantly contribute to the delivery of EA s corporate goals. EA faces many significant challenges in the years ahead. As we continue on our journey of transformation to a regional organisation, communications and corporate information will be integral to the successful implementation of regional services and structures and the transformation of education. We are looking for a Campaigns and Media Officer to join our Communications Team to help deliver a modern and customer focussed Communications Service that contributes significantly to the achievement of our organisational priorities and provides support to schools. We would encourage applications from those who are interested in helping to build an organisation that is focused on the needs of young people and who want to contribute to the transformation of education in Northern Ireland. 4

5 Communications and Corporate Information Unit Information Communications Freedom of Information Data Protection/GDPR Assembly Questions Complaints Records Management Chief Executive Head of Communications Internal Communications External Communications Social Media Stakeholder/Public Engagement Media Relations Events Management Corporate Identity Public Affairs Corporate Information Manager Communications Manager Corporate Information Team Communications Team Campaign & Media Officers x 4 Communications & Engagement Officer 5

6 3. Job Description Post: Service area: Responsible to: Responsible for: Campaigns and Media Officer Communications Communications Manager The Campaigns and Media Officer will be responsible for supporting the continued development and management of a professional corporate communications function for the Education Authority (EA). They will deliver a portfolio of communications campaigns and PR activities as well as supporting a programme of work that aims to ensure EA has the appropriate systems, processes and procedures in place to deliver a modern and professional communications service. They will form part of a press office function for EA. Disclosure of Criminal Background If you have applied for a post that involves regulated activity under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that due to proposals set out in the Department of Education s Budget, you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate, which is 33. Further details in relation to legislative requirements can be accessed on or Job Purpose The overall purpose of the role is to support the continued development and delivery of a professional communications service within EA that utilises modern professional approaches to communications and stakeholder engagement internally and externally. Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Campaigns and Media Officer will be part of a professional team contributing to the development and delivery of an innovative communications strategy for EA which facilitates the delivery of the strategic priorities as set out the EA Strategic Plan and the Transformation Agenda. The post holder will work within a professional framework to develop and manage a portfolio of communications campaigns that contribute to the delivery of EA s strategic priorities. They 6

7 will deliver a busy programme of PR activity working with a range of internal and external partners. They will contribute to a programme of work that is designed to ensure that there are appropriate systems, processes, procedures and resources in place to facilitate open and transparent communications at all levels internally and externally. The Campaigns and Media Officer will actively promote the corporate vision, values and culture of EA as a regional organisation and manage organisational reputation through the effective management of consistent communications. They will work closely with key education partners and stakeholders and develop effective partnerships that are essential to maximising the delivery of communications. The Campaigns and Media Officer s responsibilities include: Strategic Communications Planning Supporting the Communications Manager and the Head of Communications in all aspects of the planning and delivery of a corporate communications function for EA. Playing a key role in the development, implementation and evaluation of the EA Communications Strategy. Ensuring effective and timely evaluation of all communications activity. Proactive monitoring of the media and the political environment and reporting on EA related issues to the Communications Manager, Head of Communications and CEO as required. Campaign Management Working with key internal and external partners to identify EA communications priorities. Planning, managing and evaluating multiple communication campaigns contributing to the achievement of EA s business, corporate and strategic plan objectives. This includes all internal and external communications, digital communications and events management. Delivery of EA s annual publicity planner activities. Drafting and editing content for a range of stakeholder communications. Reviewing and updating content on the staff intranet, the EA website and other web based communications. Maximising the opportunities for positive national and local media coverage. Media Relations Developing productive working relationships with key media. Providing advice, guidance and support for staff in relation to the management of a high volume of potentially sensitive media issues. 7

8 Working with key staff to develop responses to media queries. Development and delivery of EA s programme of media training for key staff. Participation in an out of hours rota for media queries. Support for Schools Supporting schools to deliver EA s planned programme of official openings. Providing support and guidance to schools as part of EA s critical incident response teams as required. Providing communications advice, support and training for schools in relation to effective communications, media relations and management of social media. Providing communications and media support as part of EA s critical incident and emergency management planning. Communications Projects Contributing to the delivery of a range of communications related projects to help develop regional communications policies and processes for EA, e.g. o Media monitoring arrangements o Corporate identity o Social media policies and procedures o EA website and Intranet Systems and Processes Ongoing maintenance of all communications information management systems to ensure that all communications activity is centrally recorded. Other Deputising for the Communications Manager as appropriate. In addition to the above, the post holder will, in accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), be expected to promote Good Relations, Equality of Opportunity and pay due regard to Equality Legislation at all times. This job description is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive. EA reserves the right, in consultation with the post holder, to amend the job description to meet the changing needs of the organisation. 8

9 4. Person Specification Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility Criteria Applicants must, by the closing date for applications, meet the following essential criteria: 1. A QCF Level 6 qualification related to the post or equivalent and 2 years experience of working as an active member of a corporate communications team in a professional role. or 4 years experience of working as an active member of a corporate communications team in a professional role Corporate communications in a professional role is defined as: Delivering corporate communications in least three of the five following areas: o o o o o Communications planning and implementation Internal communications PR and media relations Brand management Digital communications 2. A proven ability to successfully prioritise and deliver a busy programme of work. 3. Demonstrable experience of planning, managing and evaluating communications plans. 4. Demonstrable experience of managing complex media queries. 5. A proven ability to write and edit information so that it is accurate, clear and concise for an intended audience and a high level of verbal communication skills. 6. A proven ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at a range of levels. 7. A high level of IT literacy using a range of Microsoft Office applications. 8. Knowledge of the current and anticipated challenges facing the Education Authority. Desirable Criteria If it is necessary to further shortlist those candidates who meet the essential criteria, the following desirable criteria will be applied: Holding or working towards a recognised professional qualification in Communication, media or public affairs. 9

10 5. Terms and Conditions of Appointment Length of Contract: Post 1 Permanent Post Location To Be Agreed. Post 2 Temporary for 1 year with possible extension Armagh Office Salary: Senior Administrative Officer 34,106-37,107 (NJC pts 38-41) Pension: Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme for Northern Ireland is available. The Education Authority will enrol you in the Scheme on a contractual basis and contributions from the Scheme will be deducted from your pay. Hours: This is a full-time role. The normal hours of work are 36 per week. Work will be required outside of standard working hours as related to the duties of the role, for example in relation to events, media and emergency communications management. The post holder will also be expected to participate in an out of hours rota. Location: There are a number of options in relation to the location of this post. Location will be determined through discussion with the successful candidate and the agreement of the Head of Communications. Travel: As the role carries regional responsibility, travel across Northern Ireland (and on occasion further afield) will be required in order to attend meetings and fulfil the full range of duties and responsibilities. 10

11 6. Recruitment and Selection Process Submission of Completed Applications: Completed application forms must be submitted before Friday 23 November 2.00 pm. Completed applications can be ed to earecruitment@eani.org.uk. Applications can also be submitted by post or hand delivery to: Recruitment Office, Education Authority, 1 Hospital Road, OMAGH, Co Tyrone BT79 0AW It is the applicant s responsibility to ensure that the form is received by the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted unless there are extenuating circumstances. Applications must bear the correct amount of postage as any shortfall may lead to a delay in delivery and the closing date may be missed. Candidates are reminded that the application form must be fully completed. Incomplete application forms will not be considered. Faxed applications will not be accepted. CVs, letters or any other supplementary material will not be accepted in place of, or in addition to, completed application forms. Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. It is therefore essential that applicants indicate on their application form how and to what extent their qualifications, skills and experience are relevant to the selection criteria outlined. Please do not attempt to reformat the application form. Any candidates who are experiencing difficulties completing their application form because of a disability or who have any queries regarding the recruitment process should contact the Recruitment Unit via (martina.mccrory@eani.org.uk) or by telephone on

12 Selection Process 1. Initial Screening All applications received by the closing date will initially be screened by the Recruitment Unit to check they have been properly completed. Any applications which have not been properly completed will be deemed invalid. 2. Eligibility Check All valid applications will be checked by the Recruitment Unit to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements for the role. 3. Shortlisting The selection panel will meet to review the completed application forms in relation to the essential criteria. In the event of an excessive number of applicants, EA reserves the right to apply the shortlisting criteria in the order specified. It may not be necessary to use any or all of the shortlisting criteria. 4. Interview and Assessment Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview and assessment. Further details will be provided with the invitation to attend interview. 7. Equal Opportunities The Education Authority as an employer is fully committed to the promotion of equality of opportunity in employment to all, irrespective of sex, marital status, pregnancy or maternity leave, civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religious belief, political opinion, race, disability, age and trade union membership or non-membership. 12