Communications Officer Role Description Role: Communications Officer Responsible to: CEO, Healthwatch RedbridgePlace of work: 103 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, IG1 4PUHours of work: 35 hours per week Salary: £21,590 inclusive of Outer London

Weighting Holiday entitlement: 28 days plus public holidays

What is HealthwatchHealthwatch was established by the Health & Social Care Act 2012 and came into existence in April 2013.

Made up of 152 ‘local’ Healthwatch organisations, and supported by a national body, Healthwatch England, the role of Healthwatch is to act as a local, independent consumer voice for people using health and social care services.

The vision is for service users and the public to be at the heart of health and social care - sharing their views and experiences of services and helping to shape the future of those services – and in doing so, promoting better outcomes in health and social care.

About Healthwatch RedbridgeHealthwatch Redbridge is a local organisation. In delivering the above vision, we have statutory duties to:

Gather the views and experiences of patients and publicMake those views known to providers and commissionersPromote and support the involvement of people in the commissioning and provision of local care services and how they are scrutinisedRecommend investigation or special review of services via Healthwatch England or directly to the Care Quality Commission (CQC)Provide information and signposting about access to services and support for making informed choices including independent advocacy support to make an NHS complaintMake the views and experiences of people known to Healthwatch England, providing a steer to help it carry out its role as national champion

Primary Job function To promote achievements and activities and raise our profile in a manner consistent with the our brand To develop and embed the use of appropriate communications and marketing tools and work with the media to promote and raise awareness of all areas of our work To maintain and manage our website, including updating it as well as overseeing the day-to-day upkeep of our social media accounts To ensure we communicate with a diverse audience and wide range of local stakeholdersTo produce, press releases, copy for our newsletter and other documents as well as proof read information for policy papersTo produce simple marketing materials such as leaflets and posters Support the collection of local and national data using the Healthwatch Hub.

Duties and responsibilities Maintain and develop our website so it provides clear, accessible information for the community Work with the chief executive to help develop a communications strategy and action plan in line with our overall priorities and work programme. Work with our strategic partners to keep our media protocols up-to-dateLiaise with community, statutory and other stakeholders and partners, including local and national press to promote and publicise our work and research. Produce press releases on achievements and our research findings Produce and circulate our quarterly newsletter by sourcing information from colleagues, the local community as well as proactively including news on ‘hot topics’Co-ordinate the design of documents as well as source images for news releases, social media and our website Develop targeted campaigns to target underrepresented communities in Redbridge. Assist the CEO and colleagues with the production of reports Produce briefing documents and summaries of policies for internal and external audiences.

Additional and General Duties As part of the Healthwatch Team, you will be expected to help respond to enquiries from local people and inform and advise them about appropriate services they can accessAt all times carrying out responsibilities/duties within the framework of our policies and procedures. Ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with relevant legislations, in particular Data Protection, Health and Safety and Equality.Help ensure that we embrace diversity, challenge discrimination, and reflect the communities of Redbridge.Train and assist colleagues to update the website and social media accounts when requiredTake part in training and personal development and participate in team meetings, staff development and away days Be an active team member, which will require the post holder to:1. Contribute to our development and performance 2. Adhere to our policies and procedures3. Actively promote our principles of equal opportunities,

celebrating diversity and challenging discrimination4. Undertake other duties as required and which are in line with the

scope of this post

The post holder will be expected to use their initiative, be proactive and work with a wide range of people locally. He/she will be given regular supervision and support, a probationary review and appraisal. Attendance at meetings and events outside of normal working hours will be essential on occasion.

Person specification The person specification is a picture of the skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the job. It has been used to draw up the advert for the job and will be used in the shortlisting and interview process for this post.

You should demonstrate on your application form how you meet the following criteria.

Factor Essential DesirableSkills The post holder must demonstrate the following:

1. Strong writing skills with a good command of English grammar and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and orally

2. Good IT skills and be able to use Outlook, Word, Excel. The ability to use Access, In Design, or similar design software is desirable

3. Ability to create effective visual and written materials or to learn this skill

4. Ability to work cooperatively and productively with other staff

5. Ability to work as part of a team6. Willingness to undertake a wide variety of one-off tasks as

the need arises7. Ability to manage time well, own workload and identify

priorities

Experience The post holder must demonstrate the following:1. Experience of drafting communications plans or the ability

to develop this skill2. Experience of working with local/national press and media

or the ability to develop these skills

An understanding and awareness of health and social care service delivery in the context of

3. Experience of updating websites or the ability to develop this skill

4. Experience of using social media to connect and engage with public and communities.

5. Experience of writing and circulating printed and electronic materials

6. Experience of managing a database or the ability to develop this skill

7. Experience of designing and producing simple promotional materials such as leaflets and posters

8. Experience of giving presentations at meetings, events, facilitating group discussions or have the ability to learn these skills.

9. Experience of condensing complex documents into short briefings.

10. Experience of working with people from a wide range of backgrounds

Local Healthwatch Experience of

knowledge of developing a communications strategy

Personal Attributes

The post holder must demonstrate:1. A commitment to equal opportunities and to promoting

rights, privacy, dignity and choice for all health and social care service users and their carers

2. Willingness to cover the work of colleagues in the event of absences

3. Experience of living or working in a multi-cultural area4. A calm, friendly and efficient manner5. The ability to relate well to individuals of all ages and

backgrounds6. Commitment to ongoing personal development & training 7. A self-starter with the ability to work flexibly and

proactively Other The post holder must demonstrate:

requirements

1. A willingness to promote and positively implement our equal opportunities & diversity policy and procedures

2. A positive commitment to working in a multi-cultural area

Salary and hours This will be a full time post, 35 hours per week, with some work required outside normal office hours (we operate a Time Off in Lieu scheme)

Salary: £21,590, with 28 days annual leave. This includes Outer London Weighting.

How to apply Please send us a CV and cover letter. If you are unable to apply by e-mail, please post us your application: Sarah Oyebanjo, 3rd Floor, 103 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, IG1 4PU.

Please return completed applications to: Sarah Oyebanjo

E-mail applications: sarah@healthwatchredbridge.co.uk

Successful candidates will be subject to a DBS check.

Closing date for applications: The deadline for applications is 12pm on Friday 31 August 2018. Any applications received after this time will not be considered. If you are applying by post, please allow extra time.