COLLEGE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
MEMBERSHIP AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS GROUP
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: / Journalist (OTnews)Responsible to: / Editor (OTnews)
Purpose of job: / 1.To identify, research and write news and features for OTnews and other internal communications channels, on policies and current affairs affecting BAOT members and the occupational therapy profession.
2.To liaise with BAOT/COT staff and policy officers and the public affair officer to write monthly news and analysis articles on the organisation’s influencing and lobbying activities.
3.To support the editor in the production of OTnews and cover for the editor as required.
KEY TASKS
1.Assist in the production of the editorial section of OTnews every month by identifying key areas of current interest, researching and writing news and feature articles, editing copy where required, and sub-editing and proof reading to set deadlines.
2.Identify, research and write up news items and features and undertake interviews with key people, in collaboration with BAOT members, HQ staff and other stakeholders.
3.Report on the activities of BAOT/COT, including theannual conference and other events and campaigns, and attend external events, such as conferences, events and press launches, for OTnews, working away from home if required.
4.Develop and maintain a network of contacts with members, organisations, key influencers and others in the field of health and social care.
5.Ensure that articles are produced to the design and style guidelines.
6.Work with the BAOT/COT website manager/editor as required to develop and write agreed copy for posting on the website, helping to ensure that the OTnews presence on the BAOT/COT website is current and supports the business of the organisation.
7.Assist the editor as may be required in the overall production of OTnews and provide cover during times of annual leave as required.
8.Attend the monthly strategic communications meeting and work closely with the organisation’s public affairs officer to identify its key lobbying and influencing activities for news and feature leads.
9.Deal with correspondence and enquiries.
10.Maintain editorial files and archives.
11.Attend board, departmental and other meetings as required to discuss the editorial format of OTnews and any other matters.
12.Attend management and staff meetings as required.
13.Ensure that all personnel and equal opportunities policies, standing financial instructions and Health and Safety at Work Regulations are complied with.
14.Bring to the attention of the Facilities Administrator any actual or potential health and safety hazard at the earliest opportunity to allow remedial actions to be taken.
15.Address and achieve any other reasonable objectives set by the Group Head.
SELF DEVELOPMENT
16.To comply with the annual appraisal programme.
17.To identify appropriate training needs.
All job descriptions will be reviewed as necessary.
Journalist/assistant editor
PERSON SPECIFICATION
EDUCATION
/ Essential / Desirable1. Qualifications in journalism / *
2. Degree-level education / *
EXPERIENCE
- Experience of writing for magazines
- Experience of writing for the website
SKILLS/ABILITIES AND KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of the health and social care sector
- Excellent skills in proof reading and sub editing
- An interest in photography and the ability to take useable photographs for publication in the magazine or on the website
- Excellent interviewing and communication skills
- Sound research skills
TECHNICAL
- Knowledge of both PC and Mac operating systems
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and InDesign (all for Mac)
OTHER
1. Ability to organise and prioritise work and meet monthly deadlines under pressure / *2. Ability to work as part of a team / *
4. Flexibility in hours to meet production deadlines and to work away from home, including overnight stays at conferences and other reporting commitments. / *
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