FCERM Engagement Officer

Job Introduction

Role Purpose

This role will support the work of the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Engagement lead officer in proactive stakeholder engagement communication and consultation. It will involve working collaboratively with internal and external partners across a range of organisations, as well as with local communities, in support of FCERM projects delivered by the BCP Council and East Devon District Council Shared Service as well as broader South West partner organisations. A particular focus of this role will be on inland flood risk community engagement, supporting the work of the Inland Flood Risk Management team in delivering BCP Council’s duties as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). This role requires a thorough understanding of stakeholder management principles, political awareness and understanding how local governments work, as well as experience of developing community networks. 

Main Responsibilities

• To assist in the development, implementation and maintenance of effective engagement plans to support FCERM delivery.
• Deputising for the FCERM Engagement Lead on occasion.
• Ensure wide-reaching and effective engagement and communications with internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain community networks (e.g. local flood action groups / flood forums) to support two-way communication about flood risks. 
• Co-ordinating responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
• Work with Corporate Communications and Commercial Marketing to develop effective communications and campaign briefs.
• Co-ordinate liaison with Corporate Communications to ensure they are supported with any corporate level FCERM information requirement such as public/media enquiries and key project updates. 
• Support maintenance of the FCERM website and social media channels to support engagement and communications of the work undertaken by the FCERM service.
• Co-ordinating the planning and delivery of effective stakeholder engagement and communication (with Corporate Communications) for specialist FCERM projects delivered by BCP Council.
• To assist with monitoring the effectiveness of public engagement / consultation projects and log success / feedback / lessons learned to improve on subsequent projects / campaigns and / or inform continuous improvements in the FCERM service. 
• Delivering high quality services, helping to share and embed best practice principles and a positive learning culture within FCERM service area with enthusiasm and commitment, supporting and coaching colleagues as necessary to ensure they are able to support effective engagement and communication efforts. 

The Ideal Candidate

• Degree level qualification in Project Management, Marketing, Communications, or another related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in working with Communications teams to develop effective marketing and communications campaign briefs, working with and co-ordinating across multiple teams and organisations.
• Experience in the planning and delivery of effective stakeholder engagement and consultation, including workshop/focus group facilitation, to support delivery of complex projects.
• Demonstrable ability to understand complex strategies and communicate those to the public and stakeholders using a variety of channels.
• Excellent knowledge of current and emerging engagement and communication practices and good broader commercial awareness.
• Excellent knowledge of legal and statutory requirements and the risk of non-compliance.
• Knowledge and experience of developing working in a complex and political environment, including working with partner organisations on joint initiatives.

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package to colleagues. Find out more on our website.

As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation and colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. This is expected to be in place in 2024.