Job Description
The Communications and Engagement team at Public Health Wales is looking for a confident, capable and experienced Communications Officer to join us.
The key focus of this role is to work with the Communications Manager to develop and deliver campaigns that help people access public services and make choices to improve their health.
Working with teams from across the organisation, including Screening, Sexual Health and Environmental Public Health, the Communications Officer will use data, behavioural science and creative skills to produce communications that help the public to live healthier lives.
The Communications Officer will work closely with key stakeholders, including Welsh Government and Health Boards, to plan and coordinate activities, and they will contribute to the evaluation of campaigns. They will also work closely with the wider Communications Division, including the Digital, News and External Affairs, and Internal and Corporate teams, to deliver campaign activities.
We are a passionate, caring and values-led team. We thrive on making a difference. You’ll be joining a learning organisation where we value evidence and research and you will have the opportunity to deliver campaigns that have real impact on the health and well-being of the population of Wales.
If you have experience in delivering communications campaigns and you want to play a key role in achieving a healthier Wales, we would love to hear from you.
You will be responsible for supporting the development and delivery of public health communications strategies and communications plans in Public Health Wales.
The main duties of this job are:
- Develop, implement and evaluate communications campaigns.
- Commission, write, edit, proof read, co-ordinate complex internal and external publications, patient/client leaflets and advice documents; write press releases, articles; oversee print and distribution.
- Respond to media enquiries, brief journalists; manage events, press conferences, photo calls and visits; and respond to communications enquiries from agencies and key external and internal stakeholders.
- Provide communications and marketing communications advice to managers, staff, committees.
- Engage with local government, the third sector, the public and other stakeholders in relation to public health.
Candidates will be assessed on skills, behaviours, knowledge and attitude relevant to the role.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and welcome applicants who wish to work on a flexible basis.
Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales'. We play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales.
Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change. We are an organisation that places ourselves at the heart of supporting people, communities, partners, and the Welsh Government in addressing these major challenges and providing solutions for action.
Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
The Communications Officer is responsible for supporting the development and delivery of public health communications strategies and action plans. The role will provide and receive highly complex, sensitive information where cooperation and/or agreement is required; and deliver presentations; and influence and persuade committees and staff on the appropriate communications approach, and journalists on high profile issues; and make presentations on sensitive issues to staff and media.
In particular the Communications Officer will:
Marketing Communications
- Create, write and edit content for Public Health Wales channels to be sent to stakeholders and the public
- Support sustained engagement with local government, the third sector, the public and other stakeholders in relation to public health
- Assist in the development, delivery and evaluation of marketing campaigns
- Support work to integrate social marketing approaches into our marketing campaigns
Partnership Communications
- Strengthen the partnership between the divisions of Public Health Wales and its stakeholders by supporting and promoting open and proactive communications between them
Internal Communications
- Liaise with staff in Public Health Wales and its web team to create, write and edit content for its digital channels
- Create, write and edit content for Public Health Wales staff bulletins and newsletters
External Communications
- Liaise with staff in Public Health Wales and its web team to create, write and edit content for its internet sites
Media relations
- Implement media relations programmes by: • Supporting the development and implementation of plans in relation to particular high profile, complex, contentious and/or challenging issues
- Drafting press releases, statements and features
- Interpreting specialist clinical information into easy-to-understand messages for the public; and promoting them
- Liaising with journalists to promote feature and news ideas, and to set up pictures and interviews
- Advising and supporting staff in drafting press releases and media responses on a wide range of issues including those which are complex, contentious and/or challenging
- Advising and supporting staff on the delivery of health advice through the media
- Working in partnership with communications officers of partner organisations who have different, and sometimes contradictory, perspectives
- Liaising with journalists, pressure groups and the public on issues which may be distressing, emotional, unwelcome and/or stressful as well as complex, contentious and/or challenging
- Receive media enquiries on behalf of Public Health Wales and advise on, develop and manage responses on behalf of the organisations including lines to take on complex, contentious and/or challenging issues
- Develop and manage a media monitoring system which reports on the media profile of Public Health Wales and the messages reported
Web sites
- Liaise with staff in Public Health Wales and its web team to create, write and edit the content of its internet sites
Social media
- Promote and use social media to promote engagement
Standards for Health Services
- Implement processes and systems in line with action plans to achieve the Standards for Health Services which relate to communication and citizen engagement
- Collect evidence to demonstrate that Public Health Wales meets the Standards for Health Services which relate to communication and citizen engagement
Other
- Attend, report to and contribute to discussions at meetings of the Public Health Wales Communications Team
- Deputise for the Senior Communications Manager and / or Communications Manager at meetings and in other communications work in his/her absence