Our client, A Large public sector organisation, based in the Belfast area is looking for an Senior Information Officer – DP to join their team.

Duration: Initially expected to last for 6 months with an option to extend

Rate of pay: £20.95

Location: Belfast – The posts will be based at various locations across other departments. Candidates must therefore be willing to travel across Northern Ireland. They could be in any Press Office – most likely greater Belfast.

Hours: 37 hours per week – Most offices work flexi-time. There will be a requirement to work unsociable hours, often at short notice, including evenings and weekends.

Job Duties:

While the precise duties and responsibilities of individual posts will vary, the main duties and key responsibilities will include:

* To provide strategic communications advice to Ministers and senior officials demonstrating sound judgement, political awareness and sensitivity;
* To provide strategic direction on all communications (traditional, social and digital), ensuring the content, messaging, tone and consistency are in line with the communications strategy;
* To handle complex and sensitive commmunications issues, providing clear advice to Ministers and senior officials;
* To plan and deliver creative, dynamic and engaging digital solutions;
* To support the Principal Information Officer on all aspects of communications during a crisis, including identifying emerging issues and providing strong proactive advice;
* Contributing to the development and implementation of effective external media handling strategies/plans within a fast changing news environment;
* Managing, maintaining and building good working relationships with key stakeholders, customers and partners;
* Managing and arranging press conferences, radio and TV interviews, and media coverage of important events, announcements and visits;
* Supporting Ministers at site visits within and outside Northern Ireland, including international visits;
* overseeing the preparation of news releases and other internal and external written communications;
* responding to media inquiries including briefing journalists and managing relationships with the media;
* evaluating the effectiveness of communications (including social media) against objectives and business outcomes; and

The above list is not exhaustive however it gives a good indication of the main duties of the post. The emphasis on particular duties will vary over time according to business needs.

Essential Experience & Qualifications required:

1.At least two years’ experience, gained within the last five years, as a practitioner in public relations, journalism, advertising or a marketing environment.

AND

2. At least two years’ experience, gained within the last five years, of working on your own and with key stakeholders to develop and deliver innovative, proactive press strategies or marketing campaigns to meet organisational needs.

Desired Experience and Qualifications:

1. At least two years’ experience in the past five years of managing social media accounts, producing and editing original, visual and dynamic content working in a communications environment.

2. At least two year’s practical experience, gained within the last five years, in working with senior colleagues to handle high-profile and sensitive communication issues.

3. A third level or post graduate qualification in a relevant discipline linked to eligibility criteria

TheRecCoNI