Project, Communications and Engagement Officer

Job overview

We are seeking a talented professional who can connect the people and groups who make our Network with first-class communications and engagement strategies and products.

The Project, Communications, and Engagement Officer, a vital function of the Network Management Office, is significant in contributing to the Network’s purpose: to foster and facilitate collaborative approaches to developing Neurosurgery services in the North West of England.

New to the region and in its establishment phase, this is an exciting time to join the Network. In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to market the Network from the very beginning, crafting and delivering our communications and engagement strategy.

As our Network's Chief Storyteller, the Project, Communications and Engagement Officer holds a pivotal role in setting the Network's identity and sharing the Network's strategy and achievements across the emerging collaborative.

Main duties of the job

The role works across the Network and involves some administration responsibilities. Central is the Network's Future NHS workspace, which will serve as the Network's digital portal and our Annual Conference, both key role responsibilities to produce and manage.

The Project, Communications and Engagement Officer creates and delivers a range of communication and engagement products which support the Network's strategy and objectives. The role is pivotal in providing the Network with expertise and advice.

The role also promotes decision-making through high-quality project administration and is an essential member of the Network Management Office.

Central to the role are five responsibilities:

1. Strategic - Lead a Communications and Engagements Strategy and grow the Network's identity and reputation
2. People - Connect people and groups with effective communications and engagement projects to build the broader collaborative
3. Professional Acumen - Lead the development and distribution of quality communication and engagement materials with project management approaches, autonomy, and judgement.
4. Outcomes focus - Deliver high-quality communications and engagement products which influence and unite the collaborative
5. Collaboration and partnerships - Develop working partnership to enhance plans

Working for our organisation

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we’re always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire – to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

Person specification

Qualifications

• Undergraduate Degree or equivalent demonstrable experience

• CIPR Foundation
• Foundation Certificate in Professional & Digital Marketing
• APM Project Fundamentals
• Level 2 or 3 Executive Assistant

Professional Registration

• Chartered Institute of Public Relations
• Chartered Institute of Marketing
• Association of Project Managers
• The Corporate Governance Institute
• Institute of Executive Assistants and Administrators

Knowledge

• Administrative procedures and processes, project management, and information analysis
• The role of Specialised Services Clinical Networks in the NHS and how the role can support the delivery of the Network’s ambitions
• Different communication channels, audiences, and the fundamental principles of storytelling and narrative

• Website user experience design
• The FutureNHS platform
• Accessibility in communications
• Working with members of the public in a professional capacity
• NHS procurement processes
• NHS Communications and Identity standards and guidelines
• Knowledge Management Systems

Experience

• Producing effective communications plans and projects
• Producing and managing events
• Producing and commissioning multi-media communications products
• Evaluating project impact
• Managing digital work and community spaces and forums
• Drafting reports, presentations, briefings, and letters

• Identifying and working with professionals and experts to influence stakeholders and endorse key messages
• Commissioning services, managing allocated finances and supplier contracts
• Training others
• Recruitment

Skills

• A broad range of communication and engagement methods, with a professional interest in developing new communication and engagement channels and approaches
• Crafting compelling and persuasive narratives and creative storytelling with meticulous attention to detail and quality
• Forming and maintaining productive, professional relationships using inter-personal skills
• Managing project documentation, including minute taking, diary management, summary and risk and issue logging
• Modify approaches to engage, influence, and work collaboratively with varied groups, communities, and individuals
• Set and monitor quality standards, implementing improvement
• Use own initiative to deliver high-quality work, seek and provide advice, horizon scan and develop new opportunities

• Using evaluation tools, such as social media management platforms, newsletter software, content management systems (CMS)
• ‘Spot the story’ amongst detailed policy and complex discussions
• Draft policies and supporting documentation such as style guides and templates

We understand the importance of balancing work and home life. We are committed to supporting flexible working for our people wherever possible and all our colleagues are given the opportunity to discuss potential for flexible working. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) serves a diverse population, and each Care Organisation works hard to ensure all services are accessible and fair.

We respect the value of difference. So, our aim is to employ a workforce representative of the communities we serve. Regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, trans status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, all are welcome.

As a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteed interviews are also available to disabled applicants when essential role requirements have been met.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process, please contact [email protected]

For posts advertised on a fixed term contract basis, we will offer secondments only for NHS appointments. Fixed term contracts will be only be offered for external non-NHS appointments.

In applying for this post, you give the Trust permission to use your data for recruitment purposes.

Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should we receive sufficient applications or if it is filled via the internal redeployment process.

Keep up to date with the latest job opportunities and information across the Northern Care Alliance by following us on Twitter and Facebook: @NCACareersNHS