NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE JOB DESCRIPTION

Transcription

1 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE JOB DESCRIPTION Job title: Department/ Location: Responsible to: Responsible for: Media Relations Officer Corporate Communication Department Headquarters Media Services Manager N/A Date: August 2013 Library no.; HMIC Classification: JOB PURPOSE At the direction of the Media Services Manager to prevent and detect crime, increase community safety and enhance the public s understanding of and support for Nottinghamshire Police through the robust use, where appropriate in partnership with other partner organisations, of local, regional and national media outlets and other channels as conduits for communication and campaign products. To develop, implement and evaluate specific media and communications strategies and campaigns to prevent and detect crime, engender greater public engagement, ensure the effective management of key issues and critical incidents and to protect and enhance the reputation and profile of the Force. To respond to media enquiries, identify and promulgate good news, monitor media coverage and social and digital media platforms and enhance relationships with media outlets. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES 1 Receive and manage media enquiries (international, national, regional and local), making decisions about the appropriate response to be given in order to support the operational needs of the force and to protect and enhance the reputation of the force. 2 Elicit positive, good news information (through liaison with local officers and departmental units, the monitoring and research of databases, attendance at meetings, etc) which can be released publicly and present this in a proactive manner to the public across traditional and social and digital media platforms to help prevent and detect crime, enhance the profile of the force and public confidence in policing. 3 Originate, implement and evaluate media and other communications strategies to support specific operational requirements (criminal investigations, incidents,

2 etc), providing advice to the Senior Investigating Officer concerned to improve performance and encourage greater public participation in, and support for, policing in Nottinghamshire. 4 Act as Bronze and, at times, Silver Communications Officer in the event of a major / critical incident, developing and implementing tactics to manage the communications issues relating to such incidents in liaison with the Senior Investigating Officer, senior departmental colleagues and, when appropriate, other agencies involved in the incident, at times acting as force spokesperson in media interviews. 5 Maintain and enhance relationships with national, regional and local media organisations to maximise positive and supportive coverage for the delivery of policing services in Nottinghamshire. 6 Monitor coverage in traditional and social and digital media platforms in order to assess the presentation of the force in the media, to ensure the force reacts swiftly and appropriately to the news agenda when required, to satisfy the needs of disclosure in the event of major incidents and operational enquiries, and to ensure that the force is aware of current and anticipated media issues and takes appropriate action. 7 Help deliver media training for all key force personnel and provide strategic and tactical advice and adhoc training when required about news management and media issues to force staff. 8 Take part in the out-of-hours rota system for Media Relations Officers as Gold Media Officer. 9 Support the work of the Internal Communications section by identifying and producing copy for the Force s Intranet to enhance staff awareness and understanding of key issues and to ensure synergy between internal and external communications activity. 10 Support the direct public engagement work of the department and in particular the events management strategy through the production of copy and other products and assistance at public events. 11 Participate in the Force PDR process and take responsibility for identifying your own professional and career development needs.

3 DIMENSIONS Undertake a range of communications tasks, working with minimum supervision, and be capable of taking personal responsibility for determining how best to manage communications pertaining to specific issues which, at times, may threaten the reputation of the Force and the public s confidence. Undertake responsibility on a rota basis for providing an out of hours on call service to the force in the event of major issues and critical incidents, attending the scene of major incidents, acting as the focal point for media enquiries and developing communications strategies and tactics in order to support the needs of the investigation and enhance public confidence. The postholder will need to be vetted to a high level given the operationally sensitive nature of some of the information to which they will need to be exposed in order to execute their responsibilities. Whilst the postholder will not have responsibility for budgetary management, they will be involved in the expenditure of departmental and force funds, for example in hiring locations in which to stage press conferences / locate Media Briefing Centres, etc. Sphere of activity: Proactive and reactive communications activity, principally via the traditional media but increasingly via new technologies and direct public communication platforms

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION Job title: Department/ Location: Media Relations Officer Corporate Communication Department Headquarters Date: August 2013 Library no HMIC Classification: CRITERIA METHOD OF ASSESSMENT KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE Demonstrable experience (at least two years) in an aspect of communications (for example, journalism) and have a solid understanding of the media (traditional and social and digital media). Understanding or experience of communications activity within the police service or another aspect of public sector life. Extensive experience of written communications activity, writing articles, features and copy for publication. Experience of working in a busy media environment. Sound knowledge of legislation which impacts upon media coverage and criminal justice procedures. A solid understanding and experience in the use of a range of traditional media mechanisms and social and digital media platforms. SKILLS AND ABILITIES A professional standard of written and oral communications skills. Ability to understand, précis and convert complicated material from a range of sources into bright, intelligible and concise copy for a range of different audiences and for a range of / interview

5 different platforms. Ability to work equally on own initiative, with demonstrable creativity and innovation, and as part of a team. Ability to prioritise and manage workload efficiently and effectively and remain calm and positive, often in challenging and highly stressful circumstances. Flexible approach to work and prepared to work outside normal working hours when required. / EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS Hold a qualification in journalism (for example, National Council for the Training of Journalists, or National Certificate Examination) or have or have a minimum of two years relevant or equivalent professional experience. Computer literate with a sound knowledge of Microsoft Office, Photoshop and social and digital platforms. OTHER Ability to demonstrate a personal commitment to Equal Opportunities & championing diversity. Willing to undertake vetting to the required level for the post. Must be able to routinely travel to locations across the county and occasionally outside the county. Full driving licence, in order to undertake on-call responsibilities. ACCOUNTABILITY Prepared by: Matt Tapp, Head of Corporate Communication Signature: Date: