Communications Officer - Living Well programme

Want to make a real difference and have a truly rewarding career? Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of ‘making a positive difference in people's lives’.

We’ve been rated ‘good’ overall by the CQC, with some outstanding services. The CQC commented at our most recent inspection on how our colleagues “treated patients with compassion and kindness” and “felt positive and proud about working for the trust.

We value the richness that comes from having colleagues that are fully representative of the local community. We welcome people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, protected characteristics, and with all backgrounds and experiences.

Job overview

We only accept candidates from Derbyshire Healthcare, relevant VCSE partners and both local authorities

The postholder will work closely with the Living Well programme team and support a multi-agency approach to communications, which consists of health, social care and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

Main duties of the job

The role would involve co-ordinating internal and external communications activities and developing a range of communications materials for use by organisations within the partnership.

Responsibilities would include:

• Preparing internal and external communication updates to be used through all partners channels, aiding consistency of message and promoting a partnership approach
• Providing opportunities to capture questions and answers, compiling a regular set of FAQs
• Developing appropriate web/intranet content for colleagues and sharing any assets across the system
• Supporting the programme team on any internal or external communication requirements, working with partner organisations to ensure consistency of message
• Continuing the existing external communications approach to promote the service and single point of access across our communities
• Oversee Task and Finish Groups, when required
• Development and maintenance of external facing website content
• Supporting the promotion of new recruitment opportunities, using social media alongside other traditional mechanisms
• Analysing the effectiveness of various social media platforms in their reach and success
• Producing engaging content and promotional materials to support with events
• Supporting the Communications and Engagement Manger with internal communications and engagement
• Promoting the Trust as a ‘good’ place to work.

Working for our organisation

As an employee of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust you are required to adhere to the Trust’s values. In recognising both the values expressed in the NHS Constitution and the Trust Values you will be:

• Caring -

• Inclusive -

• Ambitious-

• Belonging -

• Collaborative -

We work together to achieve the best outcomes for our people and communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The postholder will be required to support effective strategies and determine appropriate means to disseminate internal and external messages to key audiences.

• To support with operating and monitoring the programmes/Trust’s social media sites, namely the corporate Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin and YouTube accounts, issuing content promoting the Living Well programme and celebrating success to stakeholders and the public
• Prepare and develop content for external websites, working with partner organisations
• Identifying relevant platforms to promote the programme
• Analysing statistics and analytical figures to understand the programme and target audiences’ needs, and offering guidance to colleagues, where appropriate; and deciding on an appropriate response at pace and responding to social media activity on behalf of the Trust, sometimes out of hours where necessary
• Produce short videos to disseminate key information to promote the programme
• Provide and share expertise, advice and practical support to staff on communication issues, digital media and on the development of digital communication
• Provide advice to staff on the best and most appropriate ways of displaying content online
• Take photographs using the team’s digital SLR camera, ensuring consent is given and recorded, and maintain a well-structured photo library
• Produce and edit videos of staff and patients, in line with consent requirements
• Research and development of the latest digital trends and technologies. Ensuring digital communications provide accurate, up-to-date information that is well presented and easy to access.

• Supports the media relations service by preparing press releases/statements, arranging interviews, providing a media enquiry answering service and undertaking other procedures to ensure the best possible coverage of Trust business
• Enhance the programme’s profile and reputation through the generation of positive media coverage and developing effective relationships with key media contacts
• Identify opportunities for members of staff to contribute to wider media features on a national or specialist platform
• Collaborate with colleagues within the team and across the services to develop an appropriate response to journalists on behalf of the services, working in an accurate and timely manner, often to very tight deadlines
• Accompany journalists and reporters to programme events to provide practical support, clarity and information and ensure patient confidentiality and consent is maintained at all times.

• Prepare content and undertake production arrangements for specific corporate and external publications, ensuring that the diverse needs of the community are reflected
• Understanding the varying needs of the target audience when producing official external publications and be creative in approach to ensure the format is in line with people’s needs and the brand.

• Develop communications aimed to promote Living Well to stakeholders and members of the public across Derby and Derbyshire. Monitor the effectiveness of projects and campaigns through measurement and evaluation
• Produce a monthly newsletter
• Support, and advise, the Living Well programme team regarding sensitive messages
• Support with maintaining and promoting the Living Well microsite for all audiences
• Working with the Communications and Engagement team, research, plan and develop relevant awards entries and conference opportunities for promotion of the programme
• Assist with the production of publicity and other material (written and electronic) in support of events and campaigns.

• Develop communications aimed at promoting Living Well to DHCFT staff, and celebrate success. Monitor the effectiveness of projects and campaigns through measurement and evaluation
• Support with options to sustain the achievements and processes put in place once the programme is ‘business as usual’, post March 2027.

• Deal with incoming communication -related enquiries from staff and being responsible for responding with an accurate and appropriate reply in a timely manner
• Monitor the general communications email inbox, including messages sent by external stakeholders, service receivers and members of the public via the website ‘contact us’ facility, and ensure enquiries are handled appropriately by responding in a timely manner or working with other teams as necessary to co-ordinate appropriate and professional responses
• To handle telephone calls, emails, post and direct contacts with staff and internal and external agencies in an appropriate and professional manner, using judgement and discretion where necessary, referring complex matters to relevant senior members of staff.
• To process all orders, processing invoices and creating requisitions for the team to ensure payment is made in a timely manner.
• To be responsible for maintaining stakeholder contact databases, and media contacts.
• To be responsible for maintaining filing systems, including a magazine, local newspaper and promotional materials archive (electronic and physical) and photographic library.

To have an understanding of health and safety and fire regulations and to assist in maintaining a safe environment for service users, staff and visitors to the service.

• Working in a pressured environment where deadlines and tight timescales are common practice
• Occasionally dealing with sensitive, distressing and confidential issues.
• Ensuring that workload is prioritised and managed effectively with regularly changing demands
• Liaising with colleagues to gain feedback on personal performance and identifying their findings as areas of personal development of own work
• The Trust covers a geographically diverse area and the post holder will be required to travel throughout the County of Derbyshire in the course of their duties.

Person specification

Attainment/ Qualifications

• Qualifications to degree level, vocational qualifications or an equivalent level of knowledge/in-depth diploma plus significant experience
• Evidence of ongoing personal and professional development in relation to communications and digital communications

• Certificate or diploma from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) or Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
• A relevant qualification or training in communications/public relations or media/social media

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to adopt appropriate style and method of communication
• Ability to stay calm and effective under pressure and to work to tight deadlines and make decisions at pace
• Able to prioritise work and work unsupervised
• Able to work cooperatively as part of a team and build and maintain successful working relationships with staff in a variety of different roles

• Able to use the internet and/or content management systems
• Able to use social media as a communications tool

Knowledge/ Experience

• Relevant employed experience in a communications role
• Knowledge and experience of external communication approaches and techniques

• NHS/health related/mental health experience
• Experience of working with a wide range of people at all levels

Additional Information

Flexible Working

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for our service and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that's job share, part time or another flexible pattern.

Disability Confident Employer

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you in the recruitment process please let us know.

If you require any support in completing the application form please do not hesitate to contact the Recruitment Team, 01332 564856, option 1, option 1 or email [email protected] and we will be happy to provide assistance.

DBS Checks

The cost of undertaking a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) disclosure will be met by the individual. The Trust will meet the initial costs of the disclosure which will be deducted from your first month’s salary.

This job may close early if a large number of applications are received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing your chance to apply.