Corporate News Officer

Corporate News Officer

Closing Date: Tuesday 2 April 2024
Work Type: Full Time (37 hours) – Temporary for 9 months
Salary: £32,772 - £36,996 per annum
Department: Joint Corporate Communications
Location: OCC, Wymondham – Hybrid (Rota)

Please quote Ref: L3419 on application form

Activities and Responsibilities of the Post

Principle Purpose of the role

Join our team as a Corporate News Officer

We're seeking a skilled communicator to join our Corporate Communications team at Norfolk Police. Whether you have a degree or relevant experience in communications, journalism, or PR, we're eager to hear from you.

In this role, you'll play a pivotal part in various projects, including internal communications, media engagement, crisis management, and social media campaigns. Your primary goal? Keeping our team informed, motivated, and connected across Norfolk.

As part of our team, you'll craft targeted messages for different audiences, ranging from support staff to frontline officers. Flexibility is key, as you'll also handle media inquiries and participate in on-call duties during evenings and weekends on a rotating basis.

If you're a proactive communicator with a talent for reaching diverse audiences, we want you on board. Familiarity with legal reporting restrictions for the police and media is a plus.

Applicants from graduates will be considered.

Main Activities of the Role

• Contributing to the daily external and internal news agenda, issuing information about police activities and initiatives, generating positive media coverage and internal awareness
• Originating, developing and implementing campaigns and initiatives in support of the Suffolk/NorfolkConstabulary (as applicable) priorities across the range of activity
• Providing specialist advice where requested and as appropriate on media relations and communications issues
• Responding to and managing local, regional, national and international media enquiries
• Researching, verifying and transmitting information and providing media liaison around on-going police operations and incidents
• Preparing communication plans for sensitive and reputational issues
• Actively maintaining good working relationships between the media and Suffolk/Norfolk Constabularies
• Briefing, media training, agreeing messages and preparing police representatives ahead of media interviews
• Updating and maintaining content using digital communications platforms and systems including Solcara, Alterian Content Management System and the Online Media Centre
• Researching and communicating crime, actions, outcomes and campaigns using the Constabularies community messaging systems
• Maintaining administrative records, systems and audit trails, including the in-house communications tool, to ensure communications are consistent, corporate and contemporaneous
• Any other duties that are commensurate with the role and grade as may be requested by line management

Person Specification

It is essential that applicants meet the following criteria:

• Relevant professional journalistic, marketing or PR qualification (NCTJ or CIM or equivalent); or recent practical experience in a similar role
• Experience of working in a fast moving media or news office, in an editorial role.
• Demonstrate the ability to work on own initiative
• Evidence of ability to successfully communicate with a range of different audiences
• Knowledge and experience of using social media networks
• Good keyboard skills and competency using Microsoft Office
• Ability to travel and attend remote locations across Suffolk/Norfolk (as applicable)
• Flexibility regarding working hours to participate in an out-of-hours on-standby Communications Officer rota (weekends and/or evenings)

It is desirable that applicants meet the following criteria:

• Thorough knowledge of legal reporting restrictions for police and media

Hours of work are 37 per week with a requirement to participate in an out-of-hours on-standby Communications Officer rota (weekends and/or evenings). This post is offered on a temporary basis.

Special conditions / Points to note

• The purpose of this job description is to indicate the general level of the duties and responsibility of the role, the duties may from time to time vary without changing the general character of the role or the levels of responsibilities.
• Whilst the role is normally based at the aforementioned location, you may be required to work at other establishments across both Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies as may be reasonably required. Police Staff Conditions of Service will be adhered to in such instances.
• All duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Health and Safety legislation and good practice. A ‘No Smoking in the Work Place’ policy applies.
• All duties must be carried out in a manner that supports the Constabulary’s commitment to equality and inclusion.

Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Consideration will be given to whether the post can be delivered on either a part time or job share basis, in line with the organisational requirements of this role.

The recruitment criteria for all posts are subject to reasonable adjustment in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract
Contract length: 9 months

Salary: £32,772.00-£36,996.00 per year

Benefits:

• Work from home

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: L3419