Job summary
An exciting opportunity is available for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and creative individual to join the Communications & Engagement Team at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust as Communications Assistant.
Working as part of the wider Communications and Engagement team, the Communications Assistant will be required to demonstrate a wide range of communications skills and be an exceptional team player, providing communications advice and support to the team and the wider Trust.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will contribute to both the development and service delivery of the Communications and Engagement Team within Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
The role includes digital communications, media relations, producing publications and events, internal communications and engagement with staff, stakeholders and commissioners and engagement with service users across the Trust.
More broadly, the postholder will work with and support all members of the Communications and Engagement Team on implementing an effective, evidence-based communications and engagement strategies to promote the Trust's achievements and future plans across all services.
About us
Why work for us?
- We have opportunities for everyone across our wide variety of services working in supportive team environments, including medical, clinical, support and corporate services
- Positive 2022 NHS Staff Survey results with compassionate culture and leadership, and support for staff wellbeing, scoring highly.
- A variety of working environments across the community, in patients' homes, within our community hospitals and bases across the county.
- Supportive flexible working patterns such as: part time, flexi time, annualised hours, and flexi retirement options.
- Excellent training and development opportunities tailored to individuals.
- Research opportunities
- Cost-effective and convenient workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove and Brighton
- Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
- We are proud to be a Level 3 accredited Disability Confident Leader, committed to creating inclusive workplaces.
- We are proud to be a Veteran Aware Trust, achieving accreditation from Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA)
- Located in stunning Sussex, with easy access to the South Downs and the coast.
- Access to a wide range of benefits and discounts for NHS staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
- Support the Communications Team with the management of the Communications inbox triaging enquiries and actioning requests when appropriate.
- Lead on communications and engagement projects as directed by the Deputy AD Communications & Engagement. This may include internal and external campaigns in response to public health issues, such as the annual flu and vaccination campaigns.
- Draft and publish written and video communications on appropriate channels.
- Provide communications advice and support to staff and governors across the organisation.
- Supported by the Communications Officers, respond to media enquiries when appropriate.
- Provide digital communications expertise, including social media, to services and work with the communications and engagement team to maintain channels.
- Support the organisation to develop its multi-media digital communications through video and photography.
Media relations
- Support the team in dealing with enquiries from the media
- Help manage the administration of the press office and ensure that all enquiries are logged and responded to within deadlines, including FOI responses
- Help maintain press release files, distribution lists and contact databases.
- Understand the sensitivities around complex / political issues.
Digital media
- Support the ongoing development of the Trust website and intranet. This will include working with other members of the Communications and Engagement Team and with Digital to ensure we have a modern, innovative, user friendly website and intranet that draws on best practice elsewhere within the healthcare sector.
- Support the co-ordination of the day-to-day use of Trust social media channels.
- Produce web content that is accessible and user-friendly.
- Help develop and manage new offline and online bulletins and communications to staff and stakeholders.
- Develop online polls and surveys in support of communication plans and campaigns.
Publications
- Assist with editing, proofreading and co-ordinating publications and digital content.
- Ensure consistent use of the Trust logo and corporate brand.
Events and projects
- Help plan and manage corporate events
- Support senior members of the team to deliver communication and engagement plans.
- Co-ordinate arrangements for events and VIP visits.
- Compile and maintain invitation lists for events.
- Compile and maintain supplier lists for events.
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
- Support the Communications Team with the management of the Communications inbox triaging enquiries and actioning requests when appropriate.
- Lead on communications and engagement projects as directed by the Deputy AD Communications & Engagement. This may include internal and external campaigns in response to public health issues, such as the annual flu and vaccination campaigns.
- Draft and publish written and video communications on appropriate channels.
- Provide communications advice and support to staff and governors across the organisation.
- Supported by the Communications Officers, respond to media enquiries when appropriate.
- Provide digital communications expertise, including social media, to services and work with the communications and engagement team to maintain channels.
- Support the organisation to develop its multi-media digital communications through video and photography.
Media relations
- Support the team in dealing with enquiries from the media
- Help manage the administration of the press office and ensure that all enquiries are logged and responded to within deadlines, including FOI responses
- Help maintain press release files, distribution lists and contact databases.
- Understand the sensitivities around complex / political issues.
Digital media
- Support the ongoing development of the Trust website and intranet. This will include working with other members of the Communications and Engagement Team and with Digital to ensure we have a modern, innovative, user friendly website and intranet that draws on best practice elsewhere within the healthcare sector.
- Support the co-ordination of the day-to-day use of Trust social media channels.
- Produce web content that is accessible and user-friendly.
- Help develop and manage new offline and online bulletins and communications to staff and stakeholders.
- Develop online polls and surveys in support of communication plans and campaigns.
Publications
- Assist with editing, proofreading and co-ordinating publications and digital content.
- Ensure consistent use of the Trust logo and corporate brand.
Events and projects
- Help plan and manage corporate events
- Support senior members of the team to deliver communication and engagement plans.
- Co-ordinate arrangements for events and VIP visits.
- Compile and maintain invitation lists for events.
- Compile and maintain supplier lists for events.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of communications, public relations, journalism and marketing communication techniques, approaches and procedures
- Experience of working in a media/communications setting
Desirable
- Experience of working within an NHS organisation
Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written skills to produce a wide range of content and resources
- Excellent organisational and time management skills - ability to juggle workload and priorities
- Good problem-solving skills - using imagination and initiative
- Comfortable using video and photography equipment to produce creative content, and use of digital programs for editing and design.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel). Familiar with web-based applications for intranet and website publishing including social media and survey development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of communications, public relations, journalism and marketing communication techniques, approaches and procedures
- Experience of working in a media/communications setting
Desirable
- Experience of working within an NHS organisation
Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written skills to produce a wide range of content and resources
- Excellent organisational and time management skills - ability to juggle workload and priorities
- Good problem-solving skills - using imagination and initiative
- Comfortable using video and photography equipment to produce creative content, and use of digital programs for editing and design.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel). Familiar with web-based applications for intranet and website publishing including social media and survey development.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
