Job summary
The Communications Officer works within the communications team to deliver high quality and consistent communications.
The Communications Officer will support a wide range of communication activities, including leading communication projects, designing content for the HRA's digital communication activity and presence, writing news stories for internal and external publications and updating the HRA's website.
Please note that the end date of this contract is 10-Mar-2025.
Main duties of the job
The role will also have a particular focus on producing as well as planning, organising, analysing and scheduling a wide range of content and website editing.
The Communications Officer will also be responsible for delivering in-person, hybrid and virtual communication led events at the HRA, and supporting staff to know how to run events successfully.
This role also involves responding to enquiries from the public and other stakeholders via the communications team inbox and supporting the wider communications team to provide consistent and reliable day to day communications cover for the HRA.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.
We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that help us to deliver the best services.
We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community. This includes:o ageo disabilityo ethnicityo gender identity and expressiono religion or beliefo sexo sexual orientationo other diverse characteristics
We have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement - if it works for you, we'll do our best to make it work for us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role sits within the Policy and Partnerships directorate which is made up of four teams: policy and engagement, communications, public involvement and data and AI policy. We provide support and advice across the organisation on communicating with staff and external audiences, engaging with stakeholders and involving patients and the public in our work. To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached. In submitting your application with us, please note the following: We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies. We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement. Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered. The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role sits within the Policy and Partnerships directorate which is made up of four teams: policy and engagement, communications, public involvement and data and AI policy. We provide support and advice across the organisation on communicating with staff and external audiences, engaging with stakeholders and involving patients and the public in our work. To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached. In submitting your application with us, please note the following: We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies. We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement. Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered. The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A professional qualification in communications, public relations, marketing, or a similar field (for example Degree / CAM, CIM or IPR diploma), or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- A qualification in design, or events management
Knowledge, skills and expertise
Essential
- Experience of using designing and producing content for different channels, styles and audiences, including digital media
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills
- Experience of writing for different channels, styles and audiences, including digital media, press releases and newsletters
- Excellent keyboard skills and experience of using programmes to design publications, social media tiles, presentations and processing documents
- Excellent writing and editorial skills with good attention to detail and the ability to translate complex information into crisp copy
- Knowledge and understanding of best practice in communications evaluation techniques
- Experience of developing and implementing communications strategies and plans across digital and traditional media
- Experience of assessing web traffic metrics and preparing reports, ideally using Google Analytics
- Experience in delivering events including face-to-face, hybrid and virtual
- Experience of designing and producing campaign resources and publications
- Experience of web design and development using content management systems
Desirable
- An understanding of the role of the HRA and the health research and regulation landscape
- An understanding of website accessibility standards and how to make digital content accessible
Experience
Essential
- Events management experience, both face to face and digital
- Experience of working in a communications or engagement team or press office
- Experience of managing multiple projects to competing deadlines
Desirable
- Experience of working in a complex organisation in a political landscape
Analytical and judemental skills
Essential
- Ability to analyse and simplify complex information from a range of sources
- Ability to pick out key information to make content accessible to a wider audience
- Excellent attention to detail
Other
Essential
- Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity
Interpersonal skills
Essential
- Excellent team-working skills with a proactive approach to colleagues and work
- Ability to manage time effectively and prioritise workload
- Highly self-motivated and able to prioritise work, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and projects
- Excellent influencing and motivational skills with the ability to manage upwards, negotiate and compromise
- Highly-skilled, verbal communicator and presenter
Desirable
- Good influencing skills with the ability to sell-in HRA content and promote new ways of presenting information
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A professional qualification in communications, public relations, marketing, or a similar field (for example Degree / CAM, CIM or IPR diploma), or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- A qualification in design, or events management
Knowledge, skills and expertise
Essential
- Experience of using designing and producing content for different channels, styles and audiences, including digital media
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills
- Experience of writing for different channels, styles and audiences, including digital media, press releases and newsletters
- Excellent keyboard skills and experience of using programmes to design publications, social media tiles, presentations and processing documents
- Excellent writing and editorial skills with good attention to detail and the ability to translate complex information into crisp copy
- Knowledge and understanding of best practice in communications evaluation techniques
- Experience of developing and implementing communications strategies and plans across digital and traditional media
- Experience of assessing web traffic metrics and preparing reports, ideally using Google Analytics
- Experience in delivering events including face-to-face, hybrid and virtual
- Experience of designing and producing campaign resources and publications
- Experience of web design and development using content management systems
Desirable
- An understanding of the role of the HRA and the health research and regulation landscape
- An understanding of website accessibility standards and how to make digital content accessible
Experience
Essential
- Events management experience, both face to face and digital
- Experience of working in a communications or engagement team or press office
- Experience of managing multiple projects to competing deadlines
Desirable
- Experience of working in a complex organisation in a political landscape
Analytical and judemental skills
Essential
- Ability to analyse and simplify complex information from a range of sources
- Ability to pick out key information to make content accessible to a wider audience
- Excellent attention to detail
Other
Essential
- Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity
Interpersonal skills
Essential
- Excellent team-working skills with a proactive approach to colleagues and work
- Ability to manage time effectively and prioritise workload
- Highly self-motivated and able to prioritise work, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and projects
- Excellent influencing and motivational skills with the ability to manage upwards, negotiate and compromise
- Highly-skilled, verbal communicator and presenter
Desirable
- Good influencing skills with the ability to sell-in HRA content and promote new ways of presenting information
