Job summary
NHS England is looking for a Strategic Communications Officer to work as part of our national communications team to help deliver a joined up and effective approach to communications across the organisation.
The Strategic Communications team plays an essential role in gathering, analysing and managing information in order to support communication development working across national, regional and programme comms teams and working with NHS England's senior leaders. The team promotes and supports best practice and continuous improvement in using audience insight for measurable and evaluated communications activities that improve outcomes across the organisation.
Main duties of the job
This role plays an important part of ensuring NHS England's communications, policy development and service design are built on insight and understanding from our audiences. It is responsible for coordination of daily and weekly news summaries for senior audiences, and plays an important role in managing the organisation's grid of upcoming communications activity.
The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with an appreciation of news and politics. You will have excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail and a keen news sense. An understanding of health policy is not essential.
About us
The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:
- Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
- Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.
- Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
- Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
- Delivering value for money.
If you would like to know more or require further information, please visithttps://www.england.nhs.uk/.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
NHS England hold a Sponsor Licence; this means that we may be able to sponsor you providing the Home Office requirements are met. To be eligible for sponsorship through the Skilled Worker route you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year, or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher. You can find more information on the Government website.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Use insight to inform communications activity.
- Continuously evaluate and learn from actions and plans.
- Embrace new ideas and innovative ways of communicating and engaging with audiences and stakeholders.
- Work with colleagues to ensure all activity is planned and delivered in line with NHSEs policies, priorities and processes.
- Work effectively within an environment of intense media and political scrutiny and accountability.
- Support, value and respect each others work, perspectives and needs.
- Ability to work flexibly and at pace across priorities.
- The postholder is required to be flexible and responsive, this may require occasional out of hours working or participation in a formal on call rota.
- Work will be directed by your manager based on the organisations needs and may be assigned to any business priority/directorate within the NHS England Comms Team
- High quality writing and presenting skills
- Uphold professional government and industry standards for communications and engagement
Please see the attached Job Description for further details on the role, responsibilities and person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Use insight to inform communications activity.
- Continuously evaluate and learn from actions and plans.
- Embrace new ideas and innovative ways of communicating and engaging with audiences and stakeholders.
- Work with colleagues to ensure all activity is planned and delivered in line with NHSEs policies, priorities and processes.
- Work effectively within an environment of intense media and political scrutiny and accountability.
- Support, value and respect each others work, perspectives and needs.
- Ability to work flexibly and at pace across priorities.
- The postholder is required to be flexible and responsive, this may require occasional out of hours working or participation in a formal on call rota.
- Work will be directed by your manager based on the organisations needs and may be assigned to any business priority/directorate within the NHS England Comms Team
- High quality writing and presenting skills
- Uphold professional government and industry standards for communications and engagement
Please see the attached Job Description for further details on the role, responsibilities and person specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of administrative procedures, project management or information analysis.
- Previously worked in similar position within the public sector. Commitment to continuing professional development.
- Basic understanding of the background and aims of current organsiational priorities and objectives and understand how communications and engagement can deliver this.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise.
- Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills.
- Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, data and letters.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of administrative procedures, project management or information analysis.
- Previously worked in similar position within the public sector. Commitment to continuing professional development.
- Basic understanding of the background and aims of current organsiational priorities and objectives and understand how communications and engagement can deliver this.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise.
- Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills.
- Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, data and letters.
