External Communications Officer

External Communications Officer, External Comms Officer, External Communications, External Comms, SC Clearance, SC Cleared, SC Level

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a high profile client, based in London. The External Communications Officer Head of External Communication in developing and delivering the Agency's external communication strategy. To provide effective media handling and contribute to the professional management of other externally focused communications.

Key responsibilities:

- Provide a professional service for journalists by answering media enquiries in a timely and informative manner, including on an out of hours rotational basis.
- Identify and deliver proactive external communications which support the Agency's objectives in line with the media strategy.
- Provide professional media handling advice.
- Build relationships at all levels throughout the organisation.
- Plan media activity through maintenance of the forward planning diary and pro-active planning grid.
- Monitor and evaluate media coverage, principally by producing weekly media summaries.
- Contribute to the content of the Agency's Internet site.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders/partners in order to foster collaborative working.
- Manage issues relating to the performance and conduct of officers in line with Agency values/policy (as required).
- Manage/coach and develop staff (as required).

Key Skills and Experiences:

Insight

- Keep up-to-date with a broad set of issues relating to the work of the Department.
- Gather information from a range of relevant sources inside and outside the Department to inform own work.
- Undertake appropriate analysis to support decisions or recommendations.
- Demonstrate an interest in others and develop a range of contacts outside own team to help get the job done.

Core

- Review existing sources of insight (including previous communication activity) to understand the overall context for communication and audience influences/influencers.
- Use insight to identify target audiences and partners, support decision making and help inform the overall communication approach.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the communication objectives and how these support the overall policy objective.

Press & Media specific

- Maintain an awareness of the news agenda and emerging news events.
- Understand how to optimise audience reach through a mix of media channels, including news aggregators.

Candidates must have, or be willing to undergo, security clearance to SC level. Candidates will also have preferably worked within central government.

Do not hesitate to apply. Please send your CV in the first instance

PS12