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Please note this is a full-time position.

About Us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Job Summary

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/s 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/s 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.

Key working relationships

The post holder will develop and maintain mutually beneficial working relationships both internally within UKHSA and externally with stakeholders and the media.

Internal

Close liaison with colleagues throughout the wider communications team and from the health protections teams who specialise in protecting the health of local people.

External

Close liaison with the media and many stakeholder groups including other government departments, NHS, local authorities, emergency response partners, charities, public health bodies, Third Sector representatives and academics.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Main Duties of the job

We are looking for an organised, creative individual who is a self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills, who can play a key role in proactive projects and the communications response to reactive incidents.

You will need to be able to deal with a wide-range of people at all levels, have a flexible approach to your work and be an effective team player.

This is a fast-paced role within a small regional communications team which requires balancing a number of competing priorities so the ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and to tight deadlines is essential.

You will be adept at drafting high quality content, which will make an impact across a range of communications channels for diverse audiences. In addition, you will be competent in dealing with complex scientific issues and statistical data and have the ability to explain this information clearly to non-scientific audiences.

Public health in the news is important in this role, so you will also have a good news sense – for emerging issues and risks as well as for developing proactive communications, including for digital channels.

Strong influencing and negotiating skills are essential, enabling you to deal effectively and persuasively with stakeholders, as well as the media.

Main Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• To handle proactive and reactive media communications, including:
  • to act as a point of contact for incoming enquiries from local and regional journalists and to develop timely responses in line with UKHSA’s corporate view;
  • to proactively sell-in stories to regional media – press and broadcast;
  • to 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;
  • to build and maintain good relations with key regional journalists;
  • to co-ordinate any broadcast bids and provide support to UKHSA spokespeople undertaking interviews, including accompanying them to interviews.
• To support provision a full communications service to regional health protection colleagues.
• To draft clear, high-quality content for a wide range of channels and audiences.
• To ensure content is underpinned by sound use of UKHSA’s data and intelligence wherever appropriate.
• To contribute to developing quality proactive communications as well as horizon scanning for any potential reputational risks.
• To support and deliver communications around UKHSA’s marketing campaigns.
• Where requested by the regional communications manager, to represent UKHSA communications at various regional and local meetings
• To ensure all known communications activity is captured in UKHSA’s national forward planning grid.
• To contribute content for UKHSA’s internal communications channels.
• To build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including other government departments and agencies, local government, health partners and charities – using good diplomacy skills.
• To have clear insight of the wider health system and UKHSA’s role within it.
• To be aware of the bigger picture across the Department of Health and Social Care and wider government, government priorities and how UKHSA’s work aligns with and supports this agenda.
• To work in accordance with Government Communications Service principles with regard to communications planning and evaluation.
• To develop an understanding of equality and diversity, particularly the needs of 'hard-to-reach' groups, and to ensure that these needs are addressed in communications output.
• To act as an ambassador for the communications directorate in all engagement with all parties, demonstrating UKHSA behaviours throughout.

National and regional liaison

• To ensure that national and other regional UKHSA communications colleagues are briefed on regional issues as appropriate.
• Undertake duties on behalf of the regional communications network including developing regionally led campaigns, taking a lead on particular topics, and participating in a rota to both produce regional communications products and chair the weekly internal regional network communications call.
• To be flexible in providing support to other regional and national teams as required which may involve working from a different site.

Professional development

• We’re looking for someone who wants to keep learning and developing. We’ll encourage the post holder to pursue a programme of continuous professional development.

This job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required by their line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Department and the organisation.

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1,000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in 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 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

Desirable criteria

• 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.

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Job contact :

Name :
Daisy Zhang
Email :
UKHSA.recruitment@reed.com

Recruitment team

Email :
UKHSA.recruitment@reed.com