A worshipping, growing and transforming Christian presence

at the heart of every community

Digital Communications Officer

(3 Year Fixed Term Contract)

Grade / Salary: Diocesan Pay Scale Band 4.1 to 4.3 / £27,644 to £33,011

Hours of work: Full Time - 35 hours per week

Normal place of work: Church House, 90 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GH

Term: The post is available on a fixed term contract for 3 years

Purpose

The role of Digital Communications Officeris to help parishes and deaneries grow by equipping them to engage confidently with their communities through digital and social media. The post holder will also contribute to wider work maintaining the Diocesan digital presence.

The post holder will have the skills and knowledge to work alongside parishes to design a communications strategy that will support their Mission Action Plans. As well as working with them on the plan and concept, the post holder will help them bring the plan to life by providing training and advice to clergy and lay people.

The starting point of the role will be the Fit for Mission programme, ensuring that the diocese maintains a worshipping, growing and transforming Christian presence at the heart of every community. Drawing on diocesan brand values and the visual identity of ‘Church for a different world’, the post holder will equip parishes produce high-quality, imaginative communications that engage with people in their local area.

Content would include eye-catching photography, short videos and stories that demonstrate the diversity and interest of the life of local Christian communities and encourage people to be part of it.

The successful candidate will also work with the diocesan communications team to create a streamlined approach to social and digital media for the diocese. S/he will help manage diocesan digital and social channels and advise on new areas of opportunity for engagement.

S/he will provide reports on analytics to help shape the focus of diocesan digital communications.

Background Information

The Diocese of Manchester is the Church of England in Bolton, Bury, Leigh, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, and parts of Rossendale, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford. To find out more about the unique make-up of the diocese and its diverse activities, visit the website:

This is a full-time post working for the Diocese of Manchester. This is an office based role but will involve considerable travel throughout the Diocese to attend meetings, coach parish clergy, lay people, and employees. They will deliver training at various locations. This will include significant evening and weekend working for which time off in lieu will be given.

Accountability & Key Relationships

The post is line managed by the Communications and Events Manager.

Key Tasks

  • Support parishes and deaneries in doing a communications audit
  • Work with individual parishes, deaneries, or clusters of parishes to develop a communications strategy that supports the Mission Action Plan
  • Advise on turning the strategy into action through effective use of digital and social media that engages with the wider community
  • Provide social media training and advice to clergy, laity and parishes
  • Provide advice on generating content and using an appropriate tone of voice for digital communications
  • Monitor the impact of communications and provide ongoing support and advice
  • Generate digital content, podcasts, video and infographics to support the diocesan vision of being a worshipping, growing and transforming Christian presence at the heart of every community
  • Help maintain diocesan digital and social channels, sharing in evening and weekend cover as necessary
  • Provide regular analytics reports on diocesan channels and update the Communications team on new digital and social media trends and developments

Page 1 of 5

Person Specification

Key: (AF) Application Form; (I) Interview;

Essential requirements / Desirable requirements / Method of assessment
Qualifications
Educated to A-Level standard or equivalent /  / AF
Experience
Experience of managing, designing and developing websites and web content /  / AF/I
Experience of planning, coordinating and producing effective and creative digital communications for a variety of audiences /  / AF/I
Experience of supporting an organisation in creating and delivering a communications strategy /  / AF/I
Experience of producing videos and podcasts and sharing on digital and social media /  / AF/I
Experience of creating engaging designs using one or more of the following: Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Publisher /  / AF/I
Experience of devising and delivering workshops or training sessions, or providing mentoring and support to individuals /  / AF/I
Knowledge and Skills
Ability to help an organisation identify and shape key messages and identity /  / AF/I
Ability to work with a small organisation to develop a communications strategy /  / AF/I
Ability to create maximum engagement through various media and good interpersonal skills /  / AF/I
Ability to design and facilitate Focus Groups to shape communication plans or as part of the plan, such as consultation events /  / AF/I
Ability to create digital content including graphics, podcasts, video. /  / AF/I
Good written skills and the ability to turn complex information into a user-friendly format /  / AF/I
Ability to devise and deliver training and workshops for a range of audiences /  / AF/I
Ability to work in a coaching / mentoring style and an appreciation of the constraints of parish resources, both financial and human, in terms of what can be realistically expected and achieved. /  / AF/I
Ability to create meaningful reports from analytics data that help shape future work /  / AF/I
An understanding of confidentiality issues and the use of discretion /  / AF/I
An understanding of media law including safeguarding implications and data protection /  / AF/I
Actively promote inclusion and diversity /  / AF/I
Someone at ease with the diversity of the Church of England. Sympathy with the aims and values of the Church of England. /  / AF/I
Ability to work on multiple projects at the same time and manage own workload effectively /  / AF/I
Work-related Circumstances
Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends /  / AF/I
Willingness to travel to meetings /  / AF/I
Full driving licence and use of own car for work purposes* /  / AF/I

*Whilst this post has a driving licence and use of own car as essential the job could be designed to use public transport where a candidate requests a reasonable adjustment. Mileage is paid at 45p per mile for business miles. Parking is refunded on days when the postholder needs to go from the office to a meeting

Summary of Terms & Conditions of Employment

EmployerManchester Diocesan Board of Finance (MDBF)

Line ManagerCommunications and Events Manager

ProbationAppointments subject to a 6-month probationary period

LocationThe post is based at Church House, 90 Deansgate M3 2GH

HoursThe role is full time (35hours per week)

SalaryDiocesan pay scale band 4.1 – 4.3 (£27,644 – £33,011) – the entry level will be at Band 4.1. Increments are to Band 4.2 then Band 4.3, depending on the starting date

PensionThe MDBF offers membership of the Church Workers Pension Fund– Pension Builder Classic product

Closing Date

For any queries about the post or an informal conversation, please contact Ann Mummery on 0161 828 1470 or

Completed applications should be submitted by 5.00pm on Monday 5 March 2018

Interviews will be held on Friday16 March 2018

Page 1 of 5