Carers’ Information Service (CIS)
Information Officer
Job Description
Job Title: Information Officer
Reports To: Carers’ Information Service Manager
Location: Carers Support Centre, 24 George Street, Croydon CR0 1PB
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Salary: £25,000
Duration of Contract: Permanent
Main Duties
- Produce all branded publicity materials for the Carers’ Information Service and Carers Support Centre.
- Produce our quarterly newsletter, Carers News.
- Produce our monthly e-bulletin, What’s New for Carers?
- Maintain and updatethe How To… A Guide for Carers in Croydon.
- Research and produceother information resources when needed.
- Work closely with our external designer on all CIS publications.
- Ensure all online publications are kept up to date, and review content of printed publications before re-printing.
- Maintain and develop the Carers' Information Service/Carers Support Centre website.
- Use social media to promote the Carers' Information Service/Carers Support Centreand relevant news items.
- Respond to developments in social media and explore how they could benefit the organisation.
- Maintain and develop the CIS libraries, in partnership with another member of staff who has library/information work responsibilities.
- Keep up to date with relevant legislation, policies and practice in areas affecting carers and those they care for.
- Disseminate knowledge to CIS staff, using techniques such as information meetings and emails.
- Respond to enquiries from carers and professionals by phone, email and in person.
- Use our bespoke database to log enquiries and add or maintain records of carers and professionals.
- Liaise and develop working relationships with professionals from other agencies to promote good inter-agency networking.
- As part of the CIS team, provide information to carers and professionals at annual events such as Carers Rights Day and Carers Week.
- Work closely with the CIS team to develop our work in accordance with our aims and objectives.
- Undertake any training and development required.
- Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as determined by the CIS Manager.
- Comply with the Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality and any other policies and procedures of the Carers’ Information Service and the Whitgift Foundation.
The Carers’ Information Service is committed to a policy of equal access to employment and provision of its services regardless of race, religious or political beliefs, ethnic or national origin, culture, gender, sexuality, age or disability.
The very nature of the Whitgift Foundation’s work necessitates a high degree of confidentiality. Therefore, you will be expected to meet that requirement, by maintaining confidentiality regarding all aspects of the Carers’ Information Service, and Whitgift Foundation business, whether in or out of work, in accordance with the Data Protection Act and The Foundation’s policies.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) (as amended) and appointment is subject to satisfactory outcome of an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (check of all criminal records).
The Whitgift Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Person Specification
Key Criteria / Desirable (D)Essential (E)
Qualifications / Educated to degree level or with equivalent experience in a communications or information role (E)
Experience / Experience of working with a wide range of people (E)
Experience of producing publications to deadlines (E)
Experience of using email marketing software, preferably MailChimp (E)
Experience of fact-checking and researching for publication content (E)
Experience of updating a website using a Content Management System, preferably MODx and Wordpress (E)
Experience of working according to a house style and adhering to brand guidelines (E)
Experience of managing and disseminating information (E)
Experience of working with a graphic designer to design publications (E)
Experience of developing marketing materials (D)
Skills and Knowledge / Ability to write engaging copy for a range of publications (E)
Excellent editing and proofreading skills (E)
Ability to convey complex information to non-experts (E)
Excellent oral communication and presentation skills (E)
Ability to adapt information (both verbal and written) according to the audience (E)
Excellent IT skills, including the Microsoft Office suite (E)
Ability to use Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat (D)
Ability to research publication content and be thorough in checking facts (E)
Knowledge and understanding of the issues facing carers and those they are caring for (D)
Effective organisational and administrative skills, e.g. diary planning, record keeping, managing and setting priorities (E)
An understanding of equal opportunities, confidentiality, data protection and safeguarding issues (E)
Personal Qualities / Ability to manage time effectively to ensure deadlines are met (E)
Ability to manage a range of projects at once (E)
Thorough and with a keen eye for detail (E)
Self-motivated and able to use initiative (E)
Ability to work in a team and independently (E )
Excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and to establish relationships with a wide range of people (E)
Flexible and adaptable (E)
Further Information
Hours of work are Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm with 1 hour (unpaid) for lunch
As an employee by the Whitgift Foundation, the employment benefits are:
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Membership of a Group Personal Pension plan, which the Whitgift Foundation double matches your contributions to a maximum of 10% and provides 3 x salary life assurance cover
- Membership of Simply Health Cash Plan, which gives financial assistance towards medical, optical and dental costs and a free 24 hour advice line
- Access to an Employee Discount Club which offers discounts on a range of products and services including insurance, holidays and travel, fashion and retail