Job summary
Are you a talented communications professional looking to make a real difference to people's lives? Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is seeking a dynamic Communications and Engagement Officer to join our small but mighty team.
Working with colleagues across our health board, you'll create content that tells the story of our organisation, our services and our people. You'll use your exceptional writing skills and eye for design to help us engage audiences across internal and external channels, including social media and web.
You'll be working for an organisation that touches and changes the lives of thousands of people each day and will understand the power of good communications in helping our patients and our population to make informed, safe decisions about their health.
This is a demanding and rewarding role with plenty of opportunities to flex your creative muscles. You'll be encouraged to develop new, innovative ways to communicate and engage audiences, helping us to build and maintain a connected workforce and empowered communities. In return, you'll get to work with a fantastic, supportive team, be provided with ongoing professional development, and the chance to really make a difference.
For an informal conversation about the role, contact alexandra.davies2@wales.nhs.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Main duties of the job
TheCommunications and Engagement Officer will use excellent communications skills and creativity to engage, enthuse, persuade and influence audiences.
Using a range of platforms and software they will design and deliver campaigns, resources and activities that help to ensure colleagues feel listened to, informed and proud of the organisation they work for, and that maintain or improve the reputation of the health board. They will build and maintain strong relationships with staff, including executive directors and independent members. At all times, they will be an ambassador for our culture and values.
They will manage relationships with the media confidently, using sensitivity and good judgement to deal with potentially negative stories, and securing opportunities to raise the profile of CTMUHB while maintaining public trust and confidence in our services.
Welsh Skills Desirable: This post is advertised as Welsh Desirable. This doesn't mean essential; whilst the candidate doesn't need to have skills in Welsh, we'll consider it an advantage when short-listing and selecting candidates. This isn't 'fluency', just Speaking & Listening skills at Level 3 (equivalent to CEFR B2) or above. Level 3 means basic conversations with patients about their everyday health. For more information, see 'Welsh Language Guidance' in the documents right at the bottom.
About us
Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) University Health Board, part of NHS Wales, serves a large population across a diverse and beautiful region, steeped in history and heritage. With nearly 13,500 staff, our health board is one of Wales' largest employers.
Together, we are Team CTM; a workforce dedicated to offering excellent patient care and support to the 450,000 people across our three regions, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taf. We operate three District General hospitals, several community hospitals, primary and community, and mental health facilities.
CTM's location offers the best of South Wales, just 20 minutes from Cardiff's vibrant city life, the natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons, and the serene coastline at Ogmore. Whether you enjoy lively urban amenities, peaceful countryside, or seaside escapes, our location makes an ideal setting for both work and personal life.
Our CTM 2030 Strategy--Our Health, Our Future--focuses on uniting our region around shared health and wellbeing goals. Our values guide us daily:
o We listen, learn, and improve
o We treat everyone with respect
o We work together as one team
CTM employees enjoy benefits including; a leading pension, generous leave, flexible work, career growth, and access to ongoing learning and development.
At CTM, you'll find a welcoming, team-oriented workplace that values diversity and compassion, where you can take pride in your work and the difference it makes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Following communications and engagement department procedures and protocols, create excellent written and creative content to engage, inform, and influence a wide range of audiences.
Develop, deliver and maintain public engagement and involvement activities and platforms, ensuring local people have opportunities to understand and inform the work of the health board, particularly relating to changes in their local area or that impact their lives.
Create and deliver communications and engagement plans that inform the public, stakeholders and media about our services.
Coordinate, create and deliver multi-platform communications campaigns that empower the public to take control over their own health and wellbeing and use NHS services appropriately.
Establish and maintain productive relationships with media contacts.
Create compelling press releases, responses and media opportunities for print, broadcast and online outlets.
Use digital communications equipment to capture high-quality content for internal and external projects.
Manage media enquiries and requests in a timely manner, liaising with health board colleagues to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of information, maintaining patient confidentiality and the health boards reputation at all times.
Plan and organise events and activities for internal and external audiences, including engagement and involvement events, press conferences, and media opportunities.
Arrange communications team meetings.
Work alongside colleagues in the People directorate, to develop and deliver excellent internal engagement resources and platforms.
Support commissioned primary care partners to manage their profile effectively and to inform communities on appropriate use of their services.
Engage with colleagues in neighbouring health boards, government, public sector and community groups to identify best practice and opportunities for collaboration.
Provide health board colleagues with advice and practical guidance on responding to communications challenges.
Support the health boards reward and recognition scheme, ensuring every member of staff has the opportunity to recognise colleagues, and be recognised, for exemplary work and care.
Support the creation of compelling nominations for external recognition and award schemes.
Analyse and interpret complex and often-sensitive facts and information, comparing options and advising staff on best practice and appropriate corporate responses.
Create engaging social media content that champions the teams principle of posting-with-purpose: producing content that adds value and is useful to the health board and intended audiences.
Support the work of the health boards charity and fundraising function, promoting fundraising activities and ensuring
Create high-quality online content for internal and external audiences, working with digital communications colleagues to ensure information available on our intranet and website is accurate, accessible, and up-to-date. Ensure content adheres to accessibility and Welsh language standards.
Undertake audits or surveys regarding communications and engagement work to enable the service to continually improve and meet the needs of the organisation.
Support and promote surveys conducted by other departments as necessary.
Ensure all communications and engagement materials are inclusive and adhere to the Welsh Language and Equalities Standards as appropriate.
Maintain departmental databases, including distribution lists, to ensure communications and engagement activities are efficient and can be effectively targeted to specific audiences.
Actively participate in team meetings, sharing experience and ideas to enable the service to improve continually. This will includes demonstrating activities and techniques to new or less experienced employees.
Purchase some external services and products as required to enable the team to deliver a comprehensive service. Ensure stocks or supplies of expensive essential resources/services are maintained and correctly procured. This includes professional photography/filmography, design, and print.
Support the team response to exceptional events and major incidents, working beyond normal office hours as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Following communications and engagement department procedures and protocols, create excellent written and creative content to engage, inform, and influence a wide range of audiences.
Develop, deliver and maintain public engagement and involvement activities and platforms, ensuring local people have opportunities to understand and inform the work of the health board, particularly relating to changes in their local area or that impact their lives.
Create and deliver communications and engagement plans that inform the public, stakeholders and media about our services.
Coordinate, create and deliver multi-platform communications campaigns that empower the public to take control over their own health and wellbeing and use NHS services appropriately.
Establish and maintain productive relationships with media contacts.
Create compelling press releases, responses and media opportunities for print, broadcast and online outlets.
Use digital communications equipment to capture high-quality content for internal and external projects.
Manage media enquiries and requests in a timely manner, liaising with health board colleagues to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of information, maintaining patient confidentiality and the health boards reputation at all times.
Plan and organise events and activities for internal and external audiences, including engagement and involvement events, press conferences, and media opportunities.
Arrange communications team meetings.
Work alongside colleagues in the People directorate, to develop and deliver excellent internal engagement resources and platforms.
Support commissioned primary care partners to manage their profile effectively and to inform communities on appropriate use of their services.
Engage with colleagues in neighbouring health boards, government, public sector and community groups to identify best practice and opportunities for collaboration.
Provide health board colleagues with advice and practical guidance on responding to communications challenges.
Support the health boards reward and recognition scheme, ensuring every member of staff has the opportunity to recognise colleagues, and be recognised, for exemplary work and care.
Support the creation of compelling nominations for external recognition and award schemes.
Analyse and interpret complex and often-sensitive facts and information, comparing options and advising staff on best practice and appropriate corporate responses.
Create engaging social media content that champions the teams principle of posting-with-purpose: producing content that adds value and is useful to the health board and intended audiences.
Support the work of the health boards charity and fundraising function, promoting fundraising activities and ensuring
Create high-quality online content for internal and external audiences, working with digital communications colleagues to ensure information available on our intranet and website is accurate, accessible, and up-to-date. Ensure content adheres to accessibility and Welsh language standards.
Undertake audits or surveys regarding communications and engagement work to enable the service to continually improve and meet the needs of the organisation.
Support and promote surveys conducted by other departments as necessary.
Ensure all communications and engagement materials are inclusive and adhere to the Welsh Language and Equalities Standards as appropriate.
Maintain departmental databases, including distribution lists, to ensure communications and engagement activities are efficient and can be effectively targeted to specific audiences.
Actively participate in team meetings, sharing experience and ideas to enable the service to improve continually. This will includes demonstrating activities and techniques to new or less experienced employees.
Purchase some external services and products as required to enable the team to deliver a comprehensive service. Ensure stocks or supplies of expensive essential resources/services are maintained and correctly procured. This includes professional photography/filmography, design, and print.
Support the team response to exceptional events and major incidents, working beyond normal office hours as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant Degree (e.g. Media, Journalism, PR, Marketing or English) or an equivalent level of skills, knowledge and experience of internal and external communications and engagement practice.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience in the below techniques and approaches: o Communications. o Media handling. o Public relations. o Journalism o Marketing o Public engagement and involvement. o Developing and running campaigns. o Planning visits and events. o Using social media to influence and inform. o Providing communications advice to others.
Values
Essential
- Compassion, respect for others and commitment to the values of the health board; Positive attitude to managing complex, challenging tasks; Strong self-awareness and interpersonal skills; Able to work effectively as part of a team, and adapt practices and approaches to suit the requirements of others.
Experience
Essential
- Media handling; Copywriting; PR or marketing; Public or stakeholder engagement; Using social media to influence and inform; Delivering, co-ordinating, and evaluating campaigns; Providing communications advice to staff at a range of levels.
Desirable
- Experience of NHS communications.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication and people skills
- Able to write engaging copy and explain complex issues in clear, simple language; Ability to create and edit videos for use on social media, web and internal platforms; Able to plan and deliver campaigns across a range of platforms; Able to plan and oversee events involving senior members of the organisation and multiple stakeholders.
Desirable
- Ability to read/write/speak Welsh at Level 3 or higher
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant Degree (e.g. Media, Journalism, PR, Marketing or English) or an equivalent level of skills, knowledge and experience of internal and external communications and engagement practice.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience in the below techniques and approaches: o Communications. o Media handling. o Public relations. o Journalism o Marketing o Public engagement and involvement. o Developing and running campaigns. o Planning visits and events. o Using social media to influence and inform. o Providing communications advice to others.
Values
Essential
- Compassion, respect for others and commitment to the values of the health board; Positive attitude to managing complex, challenging tasks; Strong self-awareness and interpersonal skills; Able to work effectively as part of a team, and adapt practices and approaches to suit the requirements of others.
Experience
Essential
- Media handling; Copywriting; PR or marketing; Public or stakeholder engagement; Using social media to influence and inform; Delivering, co-ordinating, and evaluating campaigns; Providing communications advice to staff at a range of levels.
Desirable
- Experience of NHS communications.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication and people skills
- Able to write engaging copy and explain complex issues in clear, simple language; Ability to create and edit videos for use on social media, web and internal platforms; Able to plan and deliver campaigns across a range of platforms; Able to plan and oversee events involving senior members of the organisation and multiple stakeholders.
Desirable
- Ability to read/write/speak Welsh at Level 3 or higher
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).
