International Communications Lead (XN08)

Job responsibilities

Strategy, planning and coordination:

The post holder will:

Lead the development and implementation of long-term international communication strategies across the organisation, in collaboration with DHSC.

Lead and coordinate a cross-NIHR working group responsible for delivering an impactful international communications workplan.

Lead on horizon scanning and identifying NIHR international communications opportunities, such as events and conferences

Develop policies and procedures for NIHR International communications activities, and ensure relevant activities are embedded within wider policies and procedures across the organisation

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities across NIHRs international portfolio, interpreting and summarising complex communications data

Serve on the NIHR Communications Programme Board (CPB) and work with members across organisations to integrate international health research activity into relevant work streams.

Global Health Communications:

The post holder will:

Lead, oversee and manage the promotion of global health funding and career opportunities and communicate the value and impact of the global health programme

Ensure that global health content for web, social media, newsletters and other channels is clear and engaging for both UK and LMIC audiences

Develop strategies to expand the reach of NIHR communications, with a focus on LMIC institutions and researchers,

Develop and provide advice on communications strategies to reach researchers globally

International Partnerships Communications:

The post holder will:

Lead the effective communication and dissemination of international research partnerships opportunities across various channels, working in close partnership with international partners communication teams.

Ensure the International partnership portfolio is effectively represented on the NIHR website

Act as a single point of contact for DHSC international policy leads for international communications issues, liaising with NIHR Communications teams.

Lead on drafting news articles for the NIHR website on international partnership opportunities, working closely with the DHSC policy team, domestic communication and programme managers.

Stakeholder Engagement:

The post holder will:

Lead the development and refinement of an international stakeholder engagement strategy, in collaboration and consultation with DHSC

Identify and prioritise International research stakeholders

Identify strategic stakeholder engagement opportunities to increase the reach and impact of NIHR funding across the organisation

Working relationships and wider engagement:

The post holder will:

Develop team objectives and ways of working across the NIHR cross-centre international communications group

Develop and oversee team KPIs and objectives

Lead and manage a team of cross-NIHR communications specialists, through a matrix management approach

Ensure the implementation of communications activities according to standard operating procedures

Lead the adoption of processes by providing training and coaching to the international communications group

Lead the development of reports and papers for strategic and policy meetings and publications, ensuring highly complex information is accessible

Oversee international communications budgets, in collaboration with the NIHR Director of Communications

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills and experience engaging audiences through digital platforms including social and web
• Excellent people skills and the ability to exercise influence without authority
• Excellent project management skills
• Excellent relationship skills, include the ability to develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders
• Leading by example
• Effective and inclusive leadership
• Thinking strategically
• Giving purpose and direction which includes involving people in deciding what needs to be done
• Getting the best from others
• Identifying opportunities and approaches to achieve goals and improve results

Desirable

• Familiarity with customer relationship management tools, online engagement platforms and website content management systems

URL Link

Essential

• https://www.nihr.ac.uk/

Desirable

• https://www.nihr.ac.uk/jobs/working-at-the-nihr.htm

Other Criteria

Essential

• Competence in Google and Microsoft Office applications or equivalent software
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and to travel internationally

Qualifications

Essential

• First degree (undergraduate)
• Higher degree or postgraduate qualification in communications, or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

• Specialist senior communications knowledge and experience, including experience of developing and delivering complex communications strategies
• Experience of leading, developing and embedding stakeholder management processes
• Experience leading and managing individuals and teams
• Experience of managing budgets
• Experience of analysing and interpreting communications data, with the ability to make highly complex information engaging and accessible
• Experience of leading, developing and implementing communications policies and procedures across organisations

Desirable

• Experience in international development or global health
• Experience of building relationships with stakeholders in low and middle income countries (LMICs)
• Experience of working within health research funding environments
• An understanding of health research