Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Media and Communications Grade - Grade G Status - Full Time Contract Type - Permanent Salary Grade Range - £30,486 - £36,026 Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week Shift Allowance - No Politically Restricted - No The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
The Role
Communications Officers will be expected to deliver tactical communications that contribute to the organisational vision of keeping people safe and feeling safe, maintaining public confidence in policing and the Force.
The primary focus of this role will depend on which team the employee is supporting but, in summary, will:
Support the Communications Managers in the tactical delivery of integrated multi-platform communications projects and campaigns.
Horizon scan to identify opportunities to share messages with varying audiences in line with Our Commitments.
As tasked by the Communications Managers, support operational requirements, assessing risk, operate as media handlers and escalating as necessary.
To ensure communications delivered are accurate, on brand and in line with regulations, and to support more effective communication practice across the Force.
Communications Officers are expected to be omni-competent across all communications channels. It is recognised that individuals may have a particular communications specialism or skillset and therefore their focus will be in this area; however, they will be expected to flex between the News & Media team and Strategic Communications team as needed.
Key Responsibilities
Support in the development, management and delivery of high profile reactive and proactive internal and external communications. This may be in relation to planned events, projects and campaigns or may be in response to incidents, and media or public inquiries.
The development and use of key messages and targeted communications to engage and inform audiences, and change audience attitudes and behaviours.
Maintain and nurture professional relationships with stakeholders, including colleagues of varying ranks and seniorities; external partners and media organisations.
Identify potential risk and/or key opportunities that support the organisation’s strategic vision and values and use communication to maintain or develop community confidence and engagement.
Monitor and evaluate communications and campaigns activity and contribute to organisational and team evaluations, including commissioning, interpreting and sharing campaigns insight work.
Work with other Communications Officers to problem solve, deal with incoming queries, ensure effective risk assessment and prioritisation of demand.
Raise standards of communication and engagement among colleagues through in-house training and consultancy; ensure that quality, consistency, legal considerations and brand management is maintained across multiple channels whether in-house, or externally-commissioned.
Support the internal and external communications needs of Surrey Police in the event of a major/critical incident, flexing to support the major incident model.
Support newsdesk demand, such as delivering appeals via news media and digital channels (News & Media); deliver proactive tactical communications that support operational needs across a range of channels including digital, advertising, PR, and traditional channels such as print media (Strategic Communications).
Support in the tactical delivery of the communications strategy and planning for a given area of the business in line with Force Commitments. This is both directly and through collaboration and coordination with other Communications Officers working towards the same strategy.
Skills & Experience
Degree level qualification/equivalent professional experience in a relevant communications discipline or vocational or post-graduate communications qualification, such as CIM, CIPR or MRS
Experience of delivery of end-to-end integrated internal/change/public information or behavioural communications across multiple channels using tools to assist with audience segmentation
Experience of media relations and/or in managing media enquiries. Knowledge of media law would assist in this role
Evidence of using innovative techniques to target identified audiences and convert communications objectives into tangible outcomes
Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, with experience of stakeholder management including liaising and advising people at a senior level and from a range of backgrounds
Strong writing skills and ability to adapt content for different audiences and channels, with attention to detail
Ability to operate autonomously and problem solve at a tactical level
Ability to balance and manage conflict between short and long term priorities and reactive/proactive work under pressure
Understanding and experience of using social media channels in a work environment to build awareness, understanding and confidence.
Further Information
For further information about the role please contact Sarah Bailey or Nicola Burress on sarah.bailey@surrey.police.uk or nicola.burress@surrey.police.uk.
This vacancy will be based at Headquarters, Guildford with some scope for hybrid working.
The role is also eligible for an additional £2,000 market supplement annually.
We recognise that our people are balancing demanding careers with commitments and interests outside of work. We welcome applications and discussion with candidates who want to work full-time or part-time/flexible hours.
Additional Information
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications. This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process. Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are; - vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces - vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally. If the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is success it will result in a transfer of employment Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self-employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's really important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity brings; all of which help us deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all. We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement. We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious beliefs, we would love to hear from you.
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