Programme Communications Officer – Environment and Climate Action

Programme Communications Officer – Environment and Climate Action

Fixed Term, Full Time

Up to £31,211 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Please note that this is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity until January 2024.

The Opportunity

Working as part of the Environment and Climate Action communications team and reporting to the Communications Manager, the programme communications officer will produce and deliver communications and community engagement materials to key internal and external stakeholders, partners and the public.

This is an opportunity to use your communications skills to promote positive action in the face of climate change. From press releases and social media to face-to-face presentations and engagement events, you’ll develop a wide range of communications to support the work of the environment and climate action team. Reporting to the Communications Manager, you’ll also take personal responsibility for researching and delivering a number of smaller projects or campaigns. It’s an opportunity to expand your experience by working on content for a wide range of different audiences, from the general public to senior stakeholders, and by developing messaging across diverse channels. The postholder will develop communication and community engagement materials as well as commission them from internal and external suppliers.

Accountabilities

• Create communication plans to promote climate action using a range of communication channels. Engage with internal and external stakeholders to share the plan and secure resources.
• Play a key part in the organisation and delivery of community engagement events including virtual events, venue and catering arrangements, and delegate management using online tools.
• Attendance at virtual and/or face-to-face events (including some evening and weekend working) and engaging face-to-face or online with members of the public and stakeholders
• Be responsible for keeping the content on the relevant website up to date including event listings.
• Draft press releases and engage with corporate press and communications team as required.
• Ensure all content adheres to the corporate brand guidelines and standards. Communicating with the design team and corporate communications & marketing team to ensure compliance.
• Support in the preparation of a monthly climate action newsletter.
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations to deliver to key target audiences.
• Face-to-face and online engagement with stakeholders, including some preparation of written copy for inclusion in external publications to help raise awareness of the need for and benefits of climate change action.
• Attend and take minutes at meetings when required.
• Compile written and filmed case studies on climate change related matters.
• Help to develop social media content – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn – including increasing the engagement levels on all channels and producing topical content to be shared across the channels.
• To take responsibility for small discrete projects or campaigns. To scope, research and cost different options and to provide recommendations to the Communications Manager. To lead or assist in the implementation of such projects as required.
• Any other duties as required by the Communications Manager to support the delivery of communications.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to diploma/degree level or equivalent by experience.
• Experience of working in a political environment and dealing with sensitive issues of public interest.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Advanced skills in written and in person communication. Confident in engaging with a broad variety of stakeholders at different levels via a range of channels.
• Microsoft Outlook, TEAMS, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint knowledge and experience of using at an intermediate level. An understanding of other relevant software applications such as image or video editing or mapping software. Experience of using the Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Competent user of social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn) and scheduling platforms (e.g. Hootsuite). Experience in analysing data from communication channels.
• Experience of website editing using a content management system. Experience of creating press releases for a range of sectors and publications.
• Experience of working with brand guidelines when creating communications materials. Ability to work creatively and effectively, including the ability to manage a range of complex situations and issues; very organised with good attention to detail.
• Understand how to plan events, including engaging stakeholders, organising venues and liaising with attendees on the day.

To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us here.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email Laura.O’Connor@essex.gov.uk

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