Media and Communications Officer

Recruitment Information

Media and Communications Officer

Part time

(0.6 FTE – 22 hours, 12 minutes per week)

February 2018

About the Scottish Human Rights Commission

The Scottish Human Rights Commission is an independent public body with a broad remit to promote and protect human rights for everyone in Scotland. We are independent of government and parliament.

The Commission is accredited as an “A Status” National Human Rights Institution within the UN system. This enables us to report directly to the UN on human rights issues that affect people’s lives in Scotland.

The Commission works on a range of legal, policy and practical issues which affect people’s human rights in Scotland. Current areas of work include housing, social security, health and social care, policing and prisons, business and human rights, and biometrics.

As well as monitoring law, policy and practice, the Commission also promotes awareness, understanding and respect for human rights. We produce resources to support other organisations to take a human rights based approach to their work, and to help build understanding of human rights among the wider public.

Communications is central to the delivery of the Commission’s programme of work. Our media, online, social media and wider communications activity is an important way of raising awareness of human rights, and the Commission’s work to protect them, with the wider public, law and policy makers, public authorities and civil society.

The Commission’s Strategic Plan for 2016-2020 is available on our website at:

About the Job

General

Job Title: Media and Communications Officer

Working Pattern: Part time – 22 hours, 12 minutes per week (0.6 FTE)

Working pattern to be mutually agreed

Duration:Permanent

Team: Communications and Participation

Reports to: Communications and Participation Manager

Location:Based in Edinburgh with occasional travel elsewhere

Salary banding: Grade 3 (£25,626 - £31,770)

Overall purpose

The Media and Communications Officer is a key post, charged with delivering significant external communications reach and impact in pursuit of the Commission’s agreed communications strategy. The role supports and contributes significantly to the Commission’s programme of work to raise awareness and improve understanding of human rights with a wide range of external audiences.

Key responsibilities

1. Identify, devise, support, implement and evaluate a range of media and social media activities to deliver the objectives and targets of the Commission’s communications strategy.

1. Build and maintain working relationships with influential media contacts (print, broadcast, specialist and online), bloggers and key social media influencers; networks of media and social media representatives for a range of key external stakeholders, including public bodies and civil society organisations.

1. Build and maintain a working knowledge and understanding of the Commission’s activities, through regular engagement with colleagues, to inform communications planning and delivery.
2. With guidance and direction from senior colleagues, deliver the Commission’s day-to-day press office function including researching and developing media stories, drafting and issuing press releases/media lines, and advising colleagues on interviews.

1. Maintain, update and develop the Commission’s social media accounts.

1. Maintain oversight of, update and further develop the Commission’s website including drafting copy, uploading content, liaising with web hosting company for technical support and developing new content as required.

1. Develop, write and distribute the Commission’s e-newsletter.

1. Working with policy and legal colleagues, produce and/or edit copy for external publications including comment pieces, blogs, journal articles, reports and other publications.

1. Working with colleagues and external suppliers, provide copywriting, editing, design and general support to the production of multi-media content including videos, animations, vox pops and infographics.

1. Provide communications support to the design and delivery of the Commission’s external events.

1. Monitor and report on the Commission’s media and digital outputs including maintenance of media and social media monitoring, digital analytics and preparation of reports.

1. Provide administrative and project-based support to ensure the smooth running of the Communications and Participation team including filing, contacts management and supplier liaison.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive, but they highlight a number of major tasks that the post-holder may be reasonably expected to undertake.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

1. Degree or equivalent relevant experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or related disciplines.

Experience

Essential

1. A proven track recording in delivering impactful media and social media activities.
2. Experience of monitoring and reporting on media and social media results.
3. Experience of content production and management on a range of digital platforms.
4. Experience of producing clear, accessible written copy for diverse audiences.
5. Experience of developing and maintaining effective relationships with media and social media audiences

Desirable

1. Project management experience and skills
2. Media/communications experience within a similar environment
3. Experience of political engagement in Scotland
4. Experience of managing consultants and other external support agencies.
5. Experience of handling high-profile and sensitive issues while adhering to confidentiality requirements, and business protocols on press/media interface(s).

Competencies

Essential

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
2. Sound judgement and a strong strategic news sense.
3. Excellent IT skills including use of social media and website content management systems.
4. Sensitive approach with excellent interpersonal and listening skills.
5. Ability to work responsively and quickly to tight deadlines.
6. Strong organisational skills with a high level of self-management skill including time management and appropriate communications to others.
7. Able to work independently, but also within a small team.
8. Confident, collaborative and flexible approach.
9. Awareness of Scottish media, political and civic context.
10. Developed ability to prioritise competing demands
11. Committed to a human rights based approach

Desirable

1. Knowledge of Umbraco or equivalent CMS.
2. Professional presentation skills.
3. Experience of creating accessible and inclusive communications.
4. Experience of designing publications and developing brand awareness.
5. Experience of evaluating communications usage and impact.

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Structure

The Commission consists of a full time Chair and three part time Commissioners, supported by twelve members of staff.

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Benefits

Working Hours

This is a part time post working 22 hours and 12 minutes per week (0.6 FTE). The post holder is required to be available for occasional evening and weekend work. The post holder is required to be available for occasional out of hours on call media cover.

Flexible working

The Commission operates flexitime hours for all employees. The flexible working starting time band is 08:00 – 10:00 and the end time band is 16:00-19:00 Monday to Friday. Employees must be at work during the core hours of 10:00 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 16:00.

The post holder can also request flexible working arrangements in line with the Commission’s flexible working policy.

Pay structure

The Media and Communications role is a grade 3 role within our pay structure.

Grade 3 (£25,626 - £31,770)

Pension

Commission employees are eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme. From 1 April 2015, a new Civil Service pension scheme - Alpha - was introduced. Alpha is a Career Average pension scheme.

Annual Leave

30 days annual leave plus 11.5 public holidays (pro rata for part time hours)

Commitment to CPD

The Commission has a strong commitment to training and professional development and you will have access to training courses in core skills as well as policies to support continuing professional development.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please send a completed application form to the Commission, either:

By email:

By post:FAO Executive Assistant

Scottish Human Rights Commission

Governor’s House

Regent Road

EH1 3DE

Download Application Forms at

Applications should demonstrate how you meet the criteria for the role as outlined in the job description and person specification.

If you need to provide information in a different format please contact us to discuss.

Key Dates

The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 14th March 2018.

Interviews will take place on Monday 26th March 2018 in Edinburgh.

Participation in interview

Reasonable travel expenses for standard class travel within the UK may be claimed by candidates shortlisted to attend interview.

Shortlisted candidates based outside of the UK can participate in interview by Skype.

Equality and Diversity

If you would like to discuss adjustments to the recruitment process that would enable your participation please contact Clare Nicolson on 0131 244 3550 or by email to

Disclosure and Pre-Appointment Checks

The successful candidate for this post will be asked to apply for Baseline Security Clearance and a Basic Level Disclosure Scotland Certificate and/ or a country equivalent if the candidate has lived in another country in the past three years. We will undertake pre-appointment checks of references, ID and any education certificates listed in the application form. Confirmation of employment will be subject to these checks being completed satisfactorily. The Commission will facilitate and cover the cost of the checks and certificates. If you want to discuss this requirement, in confidence, at any time please contact Clare Nicolson by calling 0131 244 3550 or by email to .

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