SENIOR COMMUNICATION OFFICER APPLICATION PACK Thank you for your interest in the post of Senior Communications Officer at FPA. Please find enclosed more information about the role including the job description, person specification and terms and conditions. At FPA our vision is a society where everyone can make positive choices about their own sexual health and wellbeing. We believe that everyone has the right to straightforward, honest, non-judgemental information and advice about sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing. We strive to deliver this across the UK through our information programme, our website and publications, our specialist sexual health services in the community, our helpline and counselling service in Northern Ireland, and our campaigning and lobbying activities. We are a pro-choice organisation. We believe in enabling and supporting people to make their own choices about their identity, relationships and lifestyle. This includes not only decisions about their general health and wellbeing but also about their values and beliefs, sexuality, sexual expression and sexual and reproductive health. We are guided by our organisational beliefs: Sexual health is important to individuals, relationships and societal wellbeing. Sexual behaviour should never result in exploitation, oppression, physical, emotional or psychological harm. Everyone should have access to accurate, high-quality sexual health information, education and services. Everyone should be able to exercise his or her reproductive rights. Everyone should have the ability and responsibility to control their own sexual health. All sexualities should be respected and accepted. Self-esteem, confidence, and communication skills are very important to healthy relationships. If you share our beliefs and have the necessary skills to fulfil the job description we d very much like to hear from you with your CV and a covering letter, detailing how you meet the requirements of the position. 1
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER SUMMARY We re looking for a creative, bold communicator to play a key role in our communications digital and marketing team. You ll be innovative, independent and ready to take on a challenging role. You ll be driving our media relations activity, managing our digital communications, leading key projects such as Sexual Health Week, and helping us create compelling, engaging content to get across our key messages. The communications, digital and marketing team is a small, dynamic and ambitious team at the heart of FPA. You ll report to our Head of Communications and work closely with the wider communications team, public affairs team and colleagues across FPA. You ll have the opportunity to help shape our approach to communications so you ll need to be proactive, with the energy and determination to take ownership of your work and lead on key projects. We encourage new ideas, approaches and creative thinking. You ll have outstanding writing, speaking and communication skills and be able to communicate complex information and data in a clear concise way. You ll demonstrate strong media relations skills and keen editorial judgement, be digitally-savvy, confident building relationships with people of all levels, and able to deliver to deadlines. If you re excited by the possibilities of this role and have a genuine interest in and commitment to FPA s goals and beliefs, then we d love to hear from you. 2
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: LOCATION: RESPONSIBLE TO: RESPONSIBLE FOR: GRADE: SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER LONDON OFFICE HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS NAD DIGITAL VOLUNTEERS F Our mission is to champion people s rights to sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing through education, information, advocacy and campaigning. Overall purpose of the job Communicating FPA s key messages in a clear, engaging way, targeted for different audiences. To engage with the media to further FPA s aims, support our campaigns and increase our profile, generating regular, high-profile coverage and developing our reputation as a leading sexual health charity. To develop and improve FPA s digital and social media communications, proactively managing a variety of channels and supporting and co-ordinating FPA staff to use social media. To coordinate the planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of FPA s annual Sexual Health Week and other events and campaigning activities. Main responsibilities Media relations Be the main point of contact for press and media enquiries, maximising all opportunities. Proactively engage with, and develop strong relationships with, national, regional and sector journalists. Produce press releases, statements, articles, letters and other editorial material. Work closely with the Head of Communications and public affairs colleagues to develop and communicate key messages and campaigns. Act as a media spokesperson and support key FPA staff to act as spokespeople. Organise, and participate in, the out of hours press rota. 3
Brand Help build the FPA brand, making it as engaging and far-reaching as possible and ensuring our communications work adheres to brand and house style guidelines. Support colleagues in their understanding and use of the FPA brand. Digital Develop our social media channels, creating content and proactively seeking opportunities to build and engage our audiences and networks. Help keep FPA s websites and blogs up-to-date with engaging content, working with the Digital Communications and Engagement Officer and the Head of Communications. Editorial Ensure all content is clear and easy to understand, uses plain English and is targeted to the appropriate audience. Produce, edit and proofread editorial for a range of audiences and channels, for example FPA s annual report, factsheets, policy statements, blog posts. Source, produce and manage visual content such as graphics, infographics and video. Campaigns and events Coordinate FPA s annual Sexual Health Week and other campaigns and events as required, working closely with relevant colleagues to develop and communicate key messages and resources. Communications Proactively develop relationships with celebrities, patrons and ambassadors, bloggers, and partner organisations. Develop and implement quarterly communications plans, as well as working with the Head of Communications on the wider communications strategy. Monitor and evaluate communications activities, producing regular reports. Support the Head of Communications and wider team across a number of functions including internal communications, data management and marketing. Supervise communications team volunteers. Other duties Assist in the smooth running of the London office and contribute to FPA s overall work. Undertake any other duties as required by line manager commensurate with grade. Ensure that all work undertaken follows FPA s policies and procedures. Be committed to FPA s equal opportunities policy. 4
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER PERSON SPECIFICATION Qualifications Educated to degree level or qualified by experience (E) Recognised PR or marketing qualification (D) Experience At least 3 years experience in a communications or marketing team, including successfully working with journalists (E) Digital content planning and creation (E) Working with senior internal and external stakeholders (E) Working with agencies and external suppliers (E) Drafting and delivering creative ideas and briefs (E) Campaign and/or event management (D) Working with data (D) Producing graphics and/or multimedia content (D) Knowledge Knowledge of media, brand and communications strategies and channels (E) Keen understanding of the media, news agenda, and policy relating to sexual health issues (E) Working knowledge of Photoshop (D) Knowledge of digital analytics tools (D) Skills Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills (E) Ability to communicate key messages and information in a clear, accessible style (E) Creative and innovative approach to communicating and presenting information (E) Confident in person and on the phone to journalists and other external stakeholders (E) Confident using digital communications and platforms (E) Ability to work flexibly and independently, as well as part of a team, managing a varied workload successfully (E) 5
Ability to build positive, co-operative working relationships (E) Excellent organisational skills with a proven ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines (E) IT literate and fully conversant with common Microsoft programmes (E). E = Essential D = Desirable 6
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OUTLINE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS HOURS 35 per week. Flexibility in working hours is required, as directed by the demands of the job. SALARY The position is offered at FPA Grade F. Starting salary will be 28,000 (including Inner London Weighting). HOLIDAY 27 working days each year, plus bank holidays and privilege days (pro-rata for part-time). FPA SICK PAY FPA sick pay is paid in conjunction with Statutory Sick Pay according to length of service. PENSIONS Employees are automatically enrolled in a contributory pension plan but may opt-out. SEASON TICKET LOAN An interest free season ticket loan is available to employees who have completed their probationary period. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FPA values diversity and is working towards equal opportunities. 7
HOW TO APPLY Application is by CV and covering letter. Please email or post your CV and a covering letter (letter to be no more than two sides of A4) explaining why you re interested in the role and how you meet the person specification. Address your covering letter to Bekki Burbidge. Please complete and return our diversity monitoring form (available from the Jobs page of our website) along with your application. Apply by email Please email recruitment@fpa.org.uk Apply by post Mark your application private and confidential and return to: Recruitment Team FPA 23-28 Penn Street London N1 5DL Closing date midday, Tuesday 5 June 2018 Interview date Tuesday 19 June 2018 Unfortunately, we won t be able to respond to non-shortlisted applicants. If you ve not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date then please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful. 8