Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Communications Officer - External Affairs

The closing date is 14 April 2026

Job summary

Communications Officer

We are looking for a proactive and skilled Communications Officer to join our External Affairs team. Reporting to the External Affairs Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring our stakeholders and local community are informed, engaged, and connected to the Trust's vision, strategy, and objectives.

In this dynamic role, you will help deliver clear, consistent, and compelling communications across a range of channels. You will support the development of campaigns, create high-quality content, and help manage media, digital platforms, and community engagement activity. Your work will strengthen relationships, enhance our reputation, and ensure our services and achievements are well understood by patients, partners, and the wider public.

You will work closely with colleagues across the Trust, providing communication advice, supporting projects, and helping coordinate responses to emerging issues. This role requires excellent writing skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work confidently in a fast-paced environment.

If you are creative, organised, and passionate about making a positive impact through effective communication, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

In this role, you will:

maintain and improve external communication and engagement channels on an ongoing basis. This includes supporting the External Affairs Manager and wider team to develop stories and briefings spanning a range of subject areas and requires excellent written and relationship management skills.

support the delivery, implementation and evaluation of various communications activities. This could include high profile strategic projects such as external briefings on high profile topics, newsletters, small scale events and creating digital content.

support the team to deliver external events, campaigns and projects as required, using a range of channels to deliver engaging two-way communications.

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Date posted

30 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

390-COR-BA-0025

Job locations

Basildon

Nethermayne

Basildon

SS16 5NL

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached Job Description.We look forward to your application!Please be aware that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a high number of applications be received.Unfortunately, there is no Visa Sponsorship available for this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree or equivalent experience
PR training or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

Experience or understanding of the media and writing releases
Experience of writing for a range of stakeholders
Experience of communications policies and procedures

Desirable

NHS or other public sector experience
Experience of using content management systems
Experience of working as part of a busy team

Knowledge

Essential

A high level of accuracy and attention to detail, for example for proofreading.
Ability to translate complex information into clear, concise text

Desirable

Understanding and appreciation of working with and handling sensitive or confidential personal and commercial information

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree or equivalent experience
PR training or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

Experience or understanding of the media and writing releases
Experience of writing for a range of stakeholders
Experience of communications policies and procedures

Desirable

NHS or other public sector experience
Experience of using content management systems
Experience of working as part of a busy team

Knowledge

Essential

A high level of accuracy and attention to detail, for example for proofreading.
Ability to translate complex information into clear, concise text

Desirable

Understanding and appreciation of working with and handling sensitive or confidential personal and commercial 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.

Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Basildon

Nethermayne

Basildon

SS16 5NL

Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Basildon

Nethermayne

Basildon

SS16 5NL

Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)