Communications Officer

Northamptonshire  ‐ Onsite
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Keywords

Description

Job Purpose:
To provide internal and external communications services in line with the developing communications strategy

Principal duties and responsibilities

  • To pro-actively identify, research and develop news stories to help secure favourable coverage for the council and its activities

  • To establish, develop and maintain close links and confident, trustworthy working relationships with journalists and management staff at local, regional, national and specialist press, radio and television

  • To respond promptly and positively, and in a way that reflects council policy and aims, to media enquiries

  • To research, prepare and issue, as appropriate, news releases, features, statements and rebuttals and to arrange press conferences, briefings and interviews

  • To assist in the planning, organisation and prioritisation of media relations activity and campaigns

  • To assist in the planning, organisation and marketing of events and activities sponsored by the council

  • To assist in the planning, development, preparation and distribution of the various publications produced by the council

  • To help secure the most beneficial coverage for the council by advising officers and members on media aspects of major issues and promotional activities

  • To help identify requirements for consultations to support communications programmes required as a result of policy changes

  • To participate in the development and execution of internal communications initiatives

  • To assist in the provision of media training to officers and councillors

  • To provide professional advice and support to authorised officers and councillors in their dealings with the media

  • To attend council, cabinet, and select committee and similar meetings as required and make arrangements for the prompt supply of information regarding decisions to the media to increase media coverage of council affairs

  • To undertake media relations duties in the event of civil emergencies and other crisis situations

  • To help in the monitoring of media coverage of the council and related matters, and arrange circulation to appropriate officers and members

  • To ensure that personal work, conduct and practices comply with the council's health & safety policy. This directly places a responsibility on all members of staff to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions

  • Demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people's behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs

  • To carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of this job description

Generic Behavioural competencies for post

The Council has adopted a competency framework to measure employees and indicate at various levels what is expected, Competencies are a combination of the key skills, behaviours and attitudes which drive effective performance. The competencies support the values, behaviours attitudes and activities described in the Corporate Plan. There are thirteen competencies, grouped under the seven Corporate Values. The following bullet points describe the core standard of performance expected for the above

A Empowering Leadership

1. Provide Leadership

a. Understands their role in supporting team goals

b. Takes decisions within own levels of responsibility

c. Works effectively as a team member

2. Performance Management

a. Seeks feedback on your own performance on a regular basis

b. Contributes to their success and that of the team

c. Take personal responsibility to make things happen

3. Skills and Leadership Development

a. Changes behaviour where needed as a result of feedback

b. Takes responsibility for meeting own learning and development needs

c. Encourages and seeks feedback from all stakeholders on a regular basis

d. Builds upon personal strengths and the potential of all people within the team

B. Working Together

4. Working with elected members, external partnerships and citizens

a. Understands the importance of handling policy sensitive issues sensitively at all times

b. Listens to ensure that issues are fully understood

c. Responds effectively to requests from elected members and external partners

d. Establishes and retains the confidence of elected members and external partnerships

5. Develop working relationships and networks

a. Gains support from people who can help in delivery of their role

b. Prevents own interests conflicting with the interests of others

c. Shares best practice, knowledge, skills and abilities being fully aware of the impact on others

d. Demonstrates model behaviour in actions and words inspiring others to do like wise

C. Citizen Focus

6. Customer Satisfaction

a. Shows a passion for customer service

b. Uses a range of options to meet customer needs when dealing with service issues

c. Collaborates with other teams to ensure customers receive flawless service

D. Embracing Diversity

7. Ethical and Social Diversity

a. Shows sensitivity to the diverse needs of different people

b. Recognises the opportunities presented by the diversity of people

E. Striving for Excellence

8. Improving performance - customer satisfaction

a. Takes pride in delivering high quality work

b. Continually strives to identify and minimise barriers to excellence

c. Sets a personal example in seeking to continuously improve quality standards

d. Works proactively with manager to clarify and understand results on which he/she needs to focus

F. Working for the Future

9. Managing change and problem solving

a. Find practical ways to overcome barriers

b. Suggests ways to overcome barriers to change

c. Responds positively when faced with change

d. Seeks out and acts on new opportunities

10. Planning and Risk Management

a. Prioritises own objectives and plans work to make best use of time

b. Knows and adheres to the risk policy of the Council

c. Understands role in achieving the service plan

d. Learns from mistakes

G. Being open and accountable

11. Compliance with legal and regulatory issues

a. Maintains a healthy and safe working environment

b. Adheres to legal and regulatory responsibilities

12. Effective communication

a. All written communication is clear understandable and relevant

b. Seeks feedback on own performance on a regular basis

13. Financial Awareness

a. Keeps up to date with financial systems

b. Conforms to Council processes for financial procedures

Start date
ASAP
Duration
3 months rolling
From
Open Link Resource Limited
Published at
25.10.2014
Project ID:
797370
Contract type
Freelance
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