We are currently recruiting for a Senior Information Officer/DP based in Belfast
Start date: ASAP
Location: The post will be based at Castle Buildings Stormont Estate, Belfast. The Post holder will be required to travel across NI and therefore must be willing to travel.
Duration: 6-12 months with possible extension
Hours of work: The normal conditioned hours of work are full-time: 42 hours per week which includes a 1 hour meal break (37 hours net) Monday to Friday. Most offices work flexi-time.
Rate of pay: £21.99 per hour
Main Duties:
•To provide strategic communications advice to Ministers and senior officials demonstrating sound judgement, political awareness and sensitivity;
•To provide strategic direction on all communications (traditional, social and digital), ensuring the content, messaging, tone and consistency are in line with the communications strategy;
•To handle complex and sensitive communications issues, providing clear advice to Ministers and senior officials;
•To plan and deliver creative, dynamic and engaging digital solutions;
•To support the Principal Information Officer on all aspects of communications during a crisis, including identifying emerging issues and providing strong proactive advice;
•Contributing to the development and implementation of effective external media handling strategies/plans within a fast changing news environment;
•Managing, maintaining and building good working relationships with key stakeholders, customers and partners;
•Managing and arranging press conferences, radio and TV interviews, and media coverage of important events, announcements and visits;
•Supporting Ministers at site visits within and outside Northern Ireland, including international visits;
•Overseeing the preparation of news releases and other internal and external written communications;
•Responding to media enquiries including briefing journalists and managing relationships with the media;
•Evaluating the effectiveness of communications (including social media) against objectives and business outcomes; and
The above list is not exhaustive however it gives a good indication of the main duties of the post. The emphasis on particular duties will vary over time according to business needs.
Desirable Criteria:
1. At least two years’ experience in the past five years of managing social media accounts, producing and editing original, visual and dynamic content working in a communications environment
AND
2. At least two years practical experience, gained within the last five years, in working with senior colleagues to handle high-profile and sensitive communication issues.
Essential Criteria:
1 At least two years’ experience, gained within the last five years, as a practitioner in public relations, journalism, advertising or a marketing environment.
AND
2. At least one years’ experience, gained within the last five years, of working with Senior Officials and key stakeholders to develop and deliver engaging digital content to promote important announcements, initiatives, news or events.