Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Job description

Transcription

1 Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Job description Ref No: N019/11/2014 Date: 28 November 2014 Dept: Section: Job Title: Grade: Corporate Communications Department Planning, Performance & Governance Temporary Head of Corporate Communications PO8 Reports to: Director of Planning, Performance & Governance MAIN PURPOSE The post holder will be responsible for the overall development and strategic planning, the implementation and evaluation of the Corporate Communications Strategy for Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (covering all aspects of its Internal and External Communications). The post holder will be key adviser to the Corporate Management Team and the NIFRS Board providing specialist professional advice/counsel, direct decisions, briefing and training on all aspects of strategic communications (both internal and external), media and reputation/issues management. All internal and external communications support the vision and mission of NIFRS as outlined below:- Vision Protecting Our Community. Mission To deliver a fire and rescue service and work in partnership with others to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. Page 1

2 Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties Reporting to the Director of Planning, Performance & Governance, the post holder will:- Strategic Planning & Development 1. Responsible for the overall development and strategic planning, implementation and evaluation of the Corporate Communications Strategy (all aspects of Internal and External Communications) for Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue & Service (NIFRS). 2. Provide significant input into the corporate and business planning processes, decision making and overall strategic direction of the organisation. 3. Responsible for leading, managing and developing the NIFRS Corporate Communications Department 4. Lead the planning /development, implementation and evaluation of a rolling 5 Year Corporate Communications Strategy (including Annual Corporate Communications Plans) which reflects the organisation s strategic aims and objectives, vision, mission and corporate values and underpins the overall corporate strategic direction and planning process. 5. Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of all Corporate Communications Policies, Procedures and Systems for NIFRS to ensure effective management of all aspects of internal and external communications across the whole organisation. 6. Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of all Strategic Media Relations Planning for NIFRS to reflect the corporate and business planning processes key strategic themes, aims and objectives of the organisation. This is done through rolling 3 month rolling Media Planners (proactive and reactive communications strategies, good news generation, issues/reputation management, rapid rebuttal etc). 7. Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of a Crisis Communications Plan for NIFRS to manage effective communications before, during and after emergencies, disasters, major incidents and business continuity crises including multi agency and single agency Emergency Media Response plans and Warning & Informing strategies for all internal and external audiences / stakeholders. Play a key role when an emergency occurs to manage the media operation (including social media) as per the Crisis Communications Plan. 8. Establish and maintain effective strategic external partnerships and be the primary link with these partner agencies in relation to all corporate communications matters, assisting in the delivery of the NIFRS and joined up strategic communications objectives. 9. To represent NIFRS at joined up strategic communications partnership groups (eg Joint Road Safety PR Group DoE Road Safety, PSNI, NIFRS, Joint Communications Group NI Community Safety College, RADAR Communications Group etc). 10. To develop, implement and evaluate the Consultation Strategy for NIFRS and coordinate and manage inter-departmentally all Consultation (both internal consultation and public consultation) across the whole organisation to ensure statutory obligations are met, as well as other legislative implications such as The Information and Consultation of Employees (ICE) Regulations and that best practice is achieved when engaging and consulting with internal and external stakeholders on key issues. Page 2

3 11. To represent NIFRS at the DHSSPS Strategic Heads of Communications Group and act as a key link with the sponsoring Government Department in relation to all corporate communications matters. 12. To develop bespoke external and internal communications strategies and lines to take on a diverse range of highly contentious and complex National issues for the UK Fire Service 13. To represent Northern Ireland on a National Communications Group for the Employers Side of the National Joint Council for Fire and act as one of the Regional Chairs of FirePro (professional network of communications managers across the UK Fire Service, which works alongside the Chief Fire Officers Association CFOA). Specialist Professional Advice & Training 14. To be the day to day key adviser to the Corporate Management Team including the Chief Executive and Chief Fire Officer as well as the NIFRS Board, providing specialist professional advice / counsel, direct decisions, briefing and training on all aspects of strategic communications, media and reputation management issues. 15. Provide specialist professional advice at a National level to the UK Fire Service through the Employers Side of the National Joint Council on key industrial relations issues and reputation management issues impacting on the UK Fire Service as a whole. 16. Attend all communications meetings at Local Government Employers in London for the Employers Side for the NJC to advise on communications issues and utilise the FirePro network of all communications managers across UK fire and rescue services to disseminate. 17. To develop and ensure a provision of a high quality media training programme, specialist advice and briefing for all NIFRS media spokespeople right across the organisation, in line with NIFRS Media Policy, Procedures and A-Z Guidelines (NIFRS Media Handbook). External & Internal Communications and Information Management 18. Responsible for leading the development, implementation and evaluation of all aspects of External Communications including Strategic Media and Public Relations Planning, a 24 hour Press Office facility, Out of Hours Media Handling Protocols and Media Training, Reputation / Issues Management, Social Media Strategy & Policy Crisis Communications Management, Consultation, Community Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, Corporate Identity / Brand Management, Web Relations, Publications, Event Management, Public Affairs (Government Relations / Political Lobbying), Charity and Corporate Social Responsibility etc. 19. Responsible for leading, managing, developing, implementing and evaluating all aspects of internal communications within the organisation including communicating change and change management. 20. Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of the Internal Communications Strategy to ensure that all members of NIFRS staff across Northern Ireland (geographically disparate organisation and operating on very different shift Page 3

4 systems) are informed about strategic aims and objectives, vision, mission, values, change and modernisation, new developments and future plans in a timely way. 21. Responsible for face-to-face monthly Team Brief system for the organisation and train all NIFRS staff and management on the new Team Brief policy and procedures. 22. Responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of all other internal communications channels such as Service Circulars, staff bulletins/leaflets, Staff News Letter, Staff Satisfaction Surveys and Staff Suggestions Schemes, development of an Intranet etc. 23. Responsible for environmental/horizon scanning for the organisation to ensure the Corporate and Senior Management Teams, the NIFRS Board and the DHSSPS are provided with timely, appropriate, professional advice on communications matters. 24. Responsible for the establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships with the media to ensure that public confidence in NIFRS is safeguarded and that key strategic and operational issues are understood. 25. Manages all media activity and media monitoring on a day to day basis. 26. Responsible for briefing the media in an appropriate and timely manner in relation to complex or sensitive issues. 27. Responsible for development, implementation and evaluation of a Public Affairs Strategy for NIFRS to build strong political and governmental relations / engagement and lobbying for the organisation, as well as provide political environmental scanning. 28. Lead on the establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships with politicians/politicos across all the parties, the Executive, The Assembly and the Committees, Government Departments, Local Government to assist in the delivery of the NIFRS strategic communications objectives. 29. Contribute to drafting responses to requests for information on behalf of the organisation e.g. Assembly Questions / Parliamentary Questions both written and oral questions, as well as complaints from members of the public under the NIFRS Customers Charter. 30. Responsible for ensuring consistency of message to all stakeholders through NIFRS media statements, Freedom of Information responses, responses to Assembly Questions, responses to Complaints etc. 31. Responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation and overall day to day management of the NIFRS Corporate Identity / Brand providing professional branding advice daily to all NIFRS staff and external third party suppliers. 32. Responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of all E- communication including all NIFRS social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, You Tube etc) and the NIFRS website including web relations and new media strategies, design/corporate identity, E-Consultation and Accessibility issues etc. 33. Lead and manage an interdepartmental / multi-disciplinary team of Web Editors and Social Media contributors across the organisation. 34. To chair the inter-departmental Consultation Working Group. 35. Responsible for Event Management (planning and co-ordination, branding/corporate identity, speech writing etc), production of Publications for the organisation (Annual Reports, Consultation Documents, Strategies, Information Leaflets etc) and developed the overall Charity/CSR Strategy for the organisation as part of the External Communications Strategy. Page 4

5 People, Financial & General Management Responsibilities 36. Provide clear leadership to the members of staff within the Corporate Communications Department in order to support a culture of effective team working, continuous improvement, creativity and innovation. 37. Responsible for managing members of staff within the Corporate Communications Department prioritisation and delegation of work, time management (demands, deadlines, reprioritisation etc), Attendance Management, Discipline & Grievance, Training Needs Analysis and professional development of staff, staff welfare, compliance with all NIFRS policies and procedures etc. 38. Manage, co-ordinate and plan work for inter-departmental / multi-disciplinary groups of staff across the organisation carrying out work across a range of major functions 39. Overall responsibility for management of external third party suppliers/contractors (photographers, designers, printers etc) 40. Lead, formulate and monitor Departmental expenditure plans and budgets for Corporate Communications ensuring efficient and effective use of public funds. 41. Lead, develop and evaluate robust Business Continuity Plans for the Corporate Communications Department. 42. Lead, develop and evaluate Business/Corporate Risk Management in relation to Corporate Communications and provide Senior Management Assurance for all aspects of internal and external communications. 43. Lead, develop and manage Annual Business Planning and Progress Monitoring Returns & Evaluation for all aspects of work within the Corporate Communications Department (Key Performance Indicators) 44. Participate as required in the selection and appointment of staff within the organisation in accordance with procedures laid down. 45. As a member of the Senior Management Team participate in disciplinary matters / investigations across the organisation. 46. Provide a monthly Team Briefing for members of staff in Corporate Communications Department. 47. Participate in the NIFRS Performance Review Scheme and review individually on a regular basis the performance of any direct reports, providing guidance on personal development requirements and advice on appropriate action. 48. Develop new staffing structure proposals 49. Promote equality of opportunity through his/her own actions and ensure that policy is adhered to by staff for which he/she has responsibility. 50. Ensure the Corporate Communications Department has the appropriate resources and skills mix to deliver the Corporate Communications Strategy and ensure business improvement over the next 5 years. 51. Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making whilst retaining responsibility and accountability for results. 52. Take responsibility for a team of staff and maintain good relationships and morale amongst those reporting to him/her. 53. Undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the NIFRS. Page 5

6 54. Be responsible for promoting, upholding and implementing all NIFRS policies, plans and procedures and those relating to legal requirements such as equality, health and safety, data protection and freedom of information, etc. 55. Undertake any other duties which may be assigned to meet organisational need and the change agenda and which are reasonably regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities and grade of the post as defined. 56. To prepare business cases, tenders and quotations in line with financial and procurement regulations, policies and procedures and corporate timescales. 57. Undertake any other duties which may be assigned to meet organisational need and the change agenda and which are reasonably regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities and grade of the post as defined. Page 6

7 Employee specification Ref No: N019/11/2014 Date: 28 November 2014 Dept: Section: Job Title: Corporate Communications Department Planning, Performance & Governance Temporary Head of Corporate Communications Grade: PO8 Experience and Qualifications Essential Applicants must provide evidence by the closing date for application that they meet the following essential criteria: 1. Possess a degree or equivalent qualification in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing or Media. 2. At least 3 years relevant experience as a communications expert or journalist in a media, public relations or press office environment and a proven track record of managing strategic communications at a senior management* level. *Senior management experience is defined as responsibility for managing a service/business unit, as a Head of Function and normally reporting directly to at least a Director within the organisation. 3. Have experience of: (a) Devising and successfully implementing corporate communications strategies for organisations to underpin their (i) overall strategic corporate planning; (ii) change management programmes; (b) Designing and successfully implementing media (including social media)/pr strategies to proactively generate positive PR, to manage reputational issues, to manage stakeholder expectations and to manage crisis communications. 4. Be able to demonstrate a high level of understanding, knowledge and proven track record of working with the media as well as Government through public affairs and lobbying. 5. Be able to demonstrate established professional networks necessary for effective corporate communications within the media and political environment. Page 7

8 6. Can demonstrate: (a) excellent planning, organisation and prioritising skills; (b) excellent presentation, interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to advise and influence senior management; (c) ability to work under pressure of multiple deadlines and under public scrutiny. 7. Experience of managing a corporate communications department to include; (a) leading, developing and motivating a team; (b) ability to formulate, develop and monitor expenditure plans and budgets. 8. Have experience in IT applications for the presentation and distribution of information both internally and externally. 9. Have access to a form of transport which enables the post holder to fulfil the requirements of the post in full. Desirable 1. A proven track record of managing strategic communications at a senior management level in a large organisation within the public, private or voluntary sector comparable to NIFRS** **NIFRS employs in excess of 2,000 staff, has almost 90 sites and a revenue budget of circa 80m. Page 8