INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
Communications & Engagement Officer
· Context
· Scottish Care Organisational Objectives
· Key Activities of Communications & Engagement Officer
· Person Specification
· Terms and Conditions of Appointment
· Application and Selection Process
To apply for this appointment the information below should be read and an Application Form completed and returned by 12 noon on 27 January 2017. Interviews will be held on 20 February 2017.
Context
Scottish Care wishes to appoint a Communications & Engagement Officer to work as part of our national team.
This is a full time post (37.5 hours per week), based in Scottish Care’s offices in Ayr with the occasional requirement to attend meetings and events throughout Scotland.
Scottish Care is based in Ayr and is the representative body for the largest group of health and social care sector independent providers across Scotland delivering residential care, day care, care at home and housing support. Working on behalf of a range of providers, Scottish Care speaks with a single unified voice for members and the wider independent care sector, at both a local and strategic level.
In addition to the core work of Scottish Care, the organisation’s activities include leading on Scottish Government funded projects and in this context contracts a number of ‘leads’ and ‘associates’ to support a range of national initiatives including the integration of health and social care, workforce development and self-directed support.
Scottish Care Organisational Objectives
1. To be recognised as the voice of independent care providers in Scotland.
2. To maintain and enhance provider influence in relation to national strategy, policy and regulation.
3. To campaign for realistic cost based funding models for the full range of quality and sustainable care services.
4. To shape the development of a positive contracting and commissioning environment that delivers good outcomes for all parties – providers, users and commissioners.
5. To develop and maintain an effective communication and public relations strategy which internally provides members with reliable information and externally raises the profile of the sector ensuring positive public image.
6. To establish sound governance structures and operational procedures which ensure organisational efficiency, effectiveness and direction whilst maximising support to members and at all times demonstrate a commitment to the Scottish Care key values of; professionalism; partnership working; responsiveness; innovation development; passion commitment; respect challenge; openness & transparency.
Key Activities of Communications & Engagement Officer
· Assist in developing and facilitating communications between Scottish Care staff, members and a wider network of stakeholders.
· Maintain the Scottish Care website including writing, editing, and proof reading site content and liaison with the website designer, as appropriate, regarding future developments.
· Draft copy, edit and layout relevant publications and promotional materials such as events flyers, reports and leaflets; and liaise with printers in relation to externally produced resources.
· Design, maintain and populate regular newsflashes and monthly e-newsletters.
· Co-ordinate the distribution of information and promotional materials, including mail-outs, acknowledgements and other communications.
· Support Scottish Care’s social media presence by ensuring content is regularly refreshed, accurate, relevant and meets our brand guidelines. Contribute to the growth and development of Scottish Care’s profile through the use of social media such as Twitter and Yammer.
· Monitor and evaluate content of communication products to ensure quality, consistency and accessibility of messages.
· Develop and maintain relevant databases and electronic information sources to ensure good communications.
· Establish, maintain and nurture proactive, meaningful engagement with Scottish Care’s members and stakeholders, including those people who access support services
· Influence and shape the development of engagement opportunities
· Support colleagues and Scottish Care projects in relation to communications and engagement activity
· Plan, coordinate and deliver events in line with the organisation’s aims and partner expectations.
· Act as the main point of contact for Scottish Care event organisers and participants, and liaise with colleagues and partners to identify event requirements
· Occasionally attend exhibitions and events to promote Scottish Care
· Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of people and organisations in the independent, voluntary and statutory sector.
· Demonstrate customer service excellence when dealing with member enquiries and issues.
· Act as a proactive ambassador for Scottish Care and the independent care sector
· Administrate and organise own work to ensure that it is accurate and meets quality targets, reasonable deadlines and reporting requirements
· Undertake other relevant duties in accordance with the function and grading of the post as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
This post is key to the continued development and overall success of this high profile company. The post holder will work with a complex variety of partners and stakeholders involved in the development and operation of the company. He/she must be able to communicate and maintain credibility at all levels; and have an understanding of partnership working.
A good standard of general education and excellent written and spoken English is essential.
Education to degree level or equivalent relevant experience is essential.
A relevant qualification in communications is desirable. Previous experience of working in communications roles is highly desirable. However experience of developing communications is essential.
The post holder must have excellent interpersonal skills. They must be able to communicate effectively and clearly in a positive and open way with all stakeholders, demonstrating ability to identify and understand internal and external audience needs and adapt style and language to meet them. The post holder must be able to demonstrate an understanding of different communications methods and their value.
The post holder must have excellent skills in writing, editing and proof reading copy for publication, demonstrating excellent attention to detail and contributing creative ideas. The post holder must be able to design, maintain and populate newsletters and leaflets. The ability to use evaluations tools to monitor effectiveness is desirable.
The post holder must have good team working skills and be able to maintain good working relationships with colleagues. The ability to work collaboratively with other individuals and organisations is essential.
The post holder will be required to manage a busy and varied workload, including multiple projects and deadlines. An ability to think proactively and work independently is essential.
The post holder will require to be a confident user of information technology and the ability to use a wide range of IT applications such as Word, Publisher, Powerpoint, Excel and web based applications is essential. Experience of using Adobe software such as In Design and Photoshop is highly desirable.
Experience of using databases is desirable.
Experience and skills in web content management, writing and editing for the web and site management is highly desirable.
Creative skills such as the ability to design publications are highly desirable.
Experience of creating visual content, such as short films, is highly desirable.
Experience of using alternative communications methods such as Facebook and Twitter are essential.
A willingness to travel occasionally to other parts of Scotland is essential.
An understanding of Scottish Care’s objectives and experience of working in health and social care are desirable.
Experience of the planning, design, delivery and evaluation of events is desirable.
Person Specification
It is important to note that to be considered for appointment all of the criteria for the role must be met. Applicants should be able to demonstrate both within the application and at interview (if invited to attend), how their skills, knowledge, experience and personal qualities sufficiently match the criteria.
Essential Criteria / Application / Interview1 / Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and people skills in order to build partnerships and contacts / /
2 / Demonstrates experience of managing communications activity, including the production, presentation and dissemination of materials / /
3 / Demonstrates experience in the use of social media to enhance dissemination of work, communicate with partners, and raise the organisation’s profile / /
4 / Demonstrates the skills to write, edit and proof read high quality communications materials / /
5 / Demonstrates a confident yet sensitive approach to dealing with a wide range of colleagues, with an understanding of different engagement needs / /
6 / Demonstrates an understanding of different audience needs and methods of communicating with different groups / /
7 / Demonstrates an ability to think creatively and to contribute ideas to shape the organisation’s communications strategy / /
8 / Demonstrates an ability to work flexibly and proactively to manage a diverse workload and to use initiative to work individually and as part of a team / /
Desirable Criteria
Desirable criteria
1 / Demonstrates an understanding of the health and social care sector, and of Scottish Care’s work / /
2 / Demonstrates experience of devloping original visual content or equivalent creative projects / /
Terms and Conditions of Appointment
Length of Appointment
This is a full-time, permanent post. Full time is 35 hours per week, usually worked within regular office hours (9am – 5pm) but with flexibility as required.
On rare occasions, evening and weekend working is required.
The successful candidate will be expected to take up appointment as soon as possible, following the completion of any necessary notice period.
Remuneration
£23,000 - £25,000.
Expenses incurred in connection with official duties will be paid additionally.
Evaluation
There will be an initial six months probationary period with an interim review of performance at three months by the CEO of Scottish Care. The post-holder’s workload will be directed by the Policy and Research Manager and they will report on a daily basis to the Office Manager.
Application and Selection Process
Application
Applicants must complete an Application Form. Answers may be continued on separate sheets if necessary but the restriction on word count should be kept in mind.
Each application is assessed in the same way, against the same agreed criteria for the appointment in question. “Criteria” means the key skills, knowledge, experience and qualities that we think are required to be able to do the job.
The Skills, Knowledge & Experience section should be used to address all of the criteria. Specific evidence should be used to support the statements made.
Please do not send us a Curriculum Vitae instead of a completed Application Form as it will not be considered. This is to ensure that all Application Forms can be assessed equally.
Selection Process
Those applicants who appear from the information provided to have the best skills, experience and knowledge for the post will be invited to interview. Initial interviews will take place on Monday 20 February 2017 and will include a short written exercise to be completed on the day.
Shortlisted candidates from the initial interview process will be invited for a second stage interview.
An offer of appointment will be made following the satisfactory completion of pre-appointment checks.
Submitting an Application
Please send a completed Application Form to Cath Balmer, Scottish Care, 54a Holmston Road, Ayr KA7 3BE or preferably by email to no later than 12 noon on Friday 27 January 2017. It will be acknowledged.
For further information about this post, please contact Becca Gatherum on 07584 659995.
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