Communications Officer – UK Health Security Agency (CoS Available)
UK Health Security Agency is seeking a skilled Communications Officer to join its dynamic team. The ideal candidate will possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex and challenging information clearly and concisely to a diverse audience. This role requires someone who can adapt messages to various formats and stakeholders, ensuring clarity and engagement across multiple platforms.
As part of the UKHSA, the Communications Officer will play a vital role in shaping the agency’s communication strategy and supporting its mission to protect and improve public health. With a focus on delivering high-quality, impactful messaging, this position offers an exciting opportunity for a communications professional looking to make a difference. Certificate of Sponsorship is available for the right candidate.
About UK Health Security Agency
UKHSA prides itself on being an employer of choice, where everyone matters, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from all individuals, including groups that are currently underrepresented in its workforce.
The ethos of UKHSA is to be an inclusive organisation for all its staff and stakeholders. The organisation aims to create, nurture, and sustain an inclusive culture where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of both its workforce and wider communities. This is achieved by celebrating and protecting differences, removing barriers, and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for everyone.
Position: Communication Officer
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Bristol
About the Role
As a member of the regional communications network, the post holder will be an effective communicator who will contribute towards the overall aim of promoting UKHSA’s key messages and outputs, as well as supporting the various strands of the UKHSA-wide communications strategy and enhancing the organisation’s reputation, all through the lens of the region in which they are embedded.
The post holder will possess excellent media handling and writing skills and have experience of liaising with journalists and drafting versatile, quality content for a wide range of channels and platforms including social media, the web and print media.
The post-holder will be adept at working with key external stakeholders and senior colleagues internally to collaborate on proactive projects, emerging issues, and work together on mutually beneficial outcomes for our communications aims and objectives.
Main Duties
* Handle proactive and reactive media communications, including acting as a point of contact for incoming enquiries from local and regional journalists and developing timely responses in line with UKHSA’s corporate view.
* Proactively sell-in stories to regional media – press and broadcast.
* Monitor the range of media channels, including press and digital, and respond to any inaccurate or misleading content particularly where there is a reputational risk.
* Build and maintain good relations with key regional journalists.
* Co-ordinate any broadcast bids and provide support to UKHSA spokespeople undertaking interviews, including accompanying them to interviews.
* Support provision of a full communications service to regional health protection colleagues.
* Draft clear, high-quality content for a wide range of channels and audiences.
* Ensure content is underpinned by sound use of UKHSA’s data and intelligence wherever appropriate.
* Contribute to developing quality proactive communications as well as horizon scanning for any potential reputational risks.
* Support and deliver communications around UKHSA’s marketing campaigns.
* Where requested by the regional communications manager, represent UKHSA communications at various regional and local meetings.
This is not an exhaustive list; please see the Job description document for the full list of duties.
Person Specifications
Qualifications
* Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area.
Knowledge and experience
* Experience as defined by type/level (not length).
* Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary communications role, particularly across digital, developing quality content for a range of channels and audiences.
* Experience of working in a busy communications office, demonstrating a sound knowledge of how media works and developing good relationships with journalists.
* Experience of working across sensitive and challenging situations/issues, showing diplomacy, tact and a proven track record of using negotiating and influencing skills to achieve outcomes.
* Experience of using initiative and creativity to find innovative solutions to communications challenges.
* Experience of building good relationships with stakeholders from a range of organisations including local authorities, government departments, voluntary organisations, charities and health providers.
Skills and capabilities
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex and challenging information clearly and concisely for a diverse range of channels and audiences.
* Ability to handle crisis communications.
Equality and diversity
* Demonstrating a commitment to equality and diversity in day-to-day working practices, as well as output.
* A good understanding of the health and social care environment and the roles and responsibilities within it.
* Good knowledge of the workings of government including local government, current government priorities and agenda.
Requirements of the role (e.g. qualifications, licenses and registrations)
* Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
Required Documents
* CV/Resume
Application Process
Interested and suitable candidates should kindly visit the NHS Website to apply.
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