OPCC - Digital Engagement and Communications Officer

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER         

Location: Carbrook, Sheffield (combination of home and office working)

Salary: £26,016 – 29,793 subject to experience

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Job reference: DECO180821

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a creative, enthusiastic Digital Communications Officer, to join our Team

We are looking for an experienced, innovative and forward thinking communications and engagement specialist to join the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for South Yorkshire to provide digital engagement and press and public relations advice, and to develop new and promote existing campaigns and projects to a wide audience.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and be responsible to the Engagement and Communications Manager.

You will lead on proactive and reactive media relations at local, regional and national level, protecting the ethics and integrity of the PCC’s communication activities. You will have proven experience in managing and maintaining website and social media accounts and be able to develop and increase the PCC’s presence across digital platforms.

You will provide effective communication between the OPCC, South Yorkshire Police, communities and partner organisations and will create and implement communications and engagement plans. You will produce copy, videos and pictures to use across communications channels. You will support the creation of the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan, Annual Report and other formal communications together with day-to-day maintenance for sections of the OPCC’s website and social media accounts.

The role involves engaging with public and partners and assisting with consultation exercises. We’re looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual with great interpersonal skills who can communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances, from members of the public to representatives of our key stakeholders and partners.

You will be responsible for ensuring there is meaningful engagement and communication between the Commissioner and these individuals and groups. The role is varied and can include accompanying the Commissioner to public meetings, planning and organising community engagement events, writing media releases and producing social media campaigns.

You will have good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with people at all levels and a sound awareness and understanding of diversity issues. The ability to interpret complex information and simplify it appropriately in order to communicate it to relevant audiences is required as is a flexible approach to working as some events may require attendance in the evenings or weekends.

The capability to travel to different locations across the county is essential in order to undertake all assignments in a timely manner. Due to the requirement to work flexibly, unsocial hours, public transport may not be available, therefore a full UK driving licence is considered essential.

We are seeking a politically astute, energetic self-starter with experience of communications and public engagement. In particular you will need to demonstrate a strong track record in media relations and engagement with public and partners and will have strong written skills and be technology savvy.

Staff are currently working from home with some office attendance during the Covid19 pandemic, however the post will usually be based at Carbrook House, Sheffield.

Benefits:

We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:

• Generous annual leave allowance
• Flexible and agile working
• Generous ‘family’ leave
• Access to a range of occupational health facilities
• Generous pension scheme

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 5 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with the OPCC.

Timetable:

Closing date for applications:  Wednesday 18 August 2021 @ 12 noon

Interviews to be held: Friday 27 August 2021

Contact point for applicants:

If you would like to talk informally about the role, please call Vanessa Rodgers to arrange a call with the Engagement and Communications Manager.

Tel: 0114 296 4142, Email: VRodgers@southyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk

Further Information:

Associated Documents:

• Digital Engagement & Communications Officer – Role Profile

• Digital Engagement & Communications Officer - Person Specification
• Police and Crime Plan 2017-2021
• Diversity Monitoring Form
• Additional Personal Information Form

For further information about the role of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and his team, please visit https://southyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/

Diversity & Inclusion:

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner welcomes and encourages applications from under-represented communities.

Apply for the role:

To apply for this role, please submit to the email address below an up to date copy of your CV, along with a Supporting Statement (maximum 1,500 words) that addresses the criteria set out in the person specification, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential/desirable requirements.

Please include your name and job reference in the subject field of your email.

Please provide your telephone and email contact details. You should also provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. If you do not wish us to approach your referees without your prior permission, please state this clearly.

Please also submit a completed copy of the Diversity Monitoring form and Additional Personal Information form.

Submission of applications:

Vanessa Rodgers, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire

Email: VRodgers@southyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk