Page 1 Job Description

DEPAUL UK

Job Description Page 5 Person Specification Page 6 Project Information

JOB DESCRIPTION:

POST: Communications Manager

SALARY: Scale Range 32 to 34 £15,098pa (£30,195pa FTE) incl. LW + pension & other benefits

HOLIDAYS: 25 days per annum plus Bank and statutory holidays, increasing to 27 days after 3 years and 30 days after 5 years of continuous service (pro rata)

HOURS: 17.5 hours over 4 or 5 days per week

TEAM: Fundraising

LOCATION: Central Office, London

RESPONSIBLE TO: CEO

An enhanced CRB will be required for this post as the role requires working directly with young vulnerable adults

This post is funded until June 2012, we will endeavour to secure further funding beyond this date

DEPAUL UK Depaul UK was established in 1989 to help homeless and disadvantaged young people in London. Since 1997, we have provided services across the UK and today are committed to developing new projects as part of our five-year strategic plan, which includes sourcing the necessary funding.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB To develop, establish and lead the implementation of internal and external communications activity for Depaul UK. This includes media relations, the production of marketing material (including printed literature and the Depaul website), promotion of the charity’s activity in local, regional and national media outlets and ensuring the protection of the organisation through strategic rebuttal and crisis communications activity as required. The key objective of

1 DEPAUL UK this role is to maintain and raise the profile of Depaul with staff, key stakeholders and the general public.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

 Internal: Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Fundraising team, HR Director, Regional Managers and all Regional Offices

 External: Media, Partners, Funders, Patron, Supporters, Government/opposition

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1. Specific Responsibilities 1.1 To manage the design and production of all Depaul marketing material including liaising with regional managers and front line as regards content 1.2 Manage, and update the Depaul UK website 1.3 Provide communications advice to all staff and field volunteers, including the Chief Executive on communications and presentation issues 1.4 Acting as an adviser to the Fundraising team to ensure that fundraising communications consistently and accurately represent the organisation’s work 1.5 To increase the awareness of the achievements of Depaul UK both within the organisation and externally using internet, Depaul publications, internal newsletter, radio, TV and press 1.6 Strengthen the Depaul UK corporate identity and public profile within the regions, nationally and where appropriate internationally. 1.7 Ensure that procedures for handling any adverse publicity are fully detailed (and regularly updated) in the ‘Media Crisis’ plan 1.8 Monitor policy developments and developments in the media to ensure Depaul UK takes advantage of appropriate opportunities 1.10 Manage the day to day operational communications/press/media functions of Depaul UK, ensuring that queries are dealt with efficiently and accurately 1.11 Draft and implement media strategy for all relevant campaigns and events 1.12 Ensure that a bank of approved and trained spokespeople within the organisation is maintained and promoted and that they are properly briefed on any occasions where they may be called to speak to the media 1.13 Ensure that all Depaul UK and related coverage is tracked, monitored, analysed and distributed internally or used within (influencer) programmes 1.14 Promote community engagement with Depaul developing strong brand awareness in the communities we serve 1.15 Oversee and manage the integrity of Depaul’s brand

2. Strategic 2.1 With the Chief Executive, develop a communications strategy for Depaul UK (in line with Depaul’s strategy) and implement media relations activity within the overall communications and fundraising strategy 2.2 Identify the important and appropriate networking, publicity opportunities e.g. events, meetings, conferences where Depaul UK representation would be appropriate.

3. Fundraising & Communications Team 3.1 A part of the Fundraising & Communications Team by ensuring major fundraising initiatives, business development and Depaul UK events receive the best and appropriate media relations support 3.2 Work closely with each Depaul UK operation to find the best stories that illustrate our work for media purposes/marketing material and that work to meet our fundraising/business development and awareness raising objectives

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4. IT Communications 4.1 Establish, maintain and update and ensure access of a database of all Depaul’s media contacts to reporting personnel. 4.2 Develop effective tools within the Depaul UK website for the press/media to improve their access and awareness of information about Depaul UK and undertake regularly reviews and updates of the available information.

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5. Finance 5.1 Manage the day to day budget of the Communications area

6. Compliance 6.1 Adhere to all relevant policies, procedures, internal communication channels and approval processes in the execution of all duties

7. General 7.1 Develop a (archive) catalogue of testimonials, case studies and briefing papers for use to promote and exemplify the work and achievements of Depaul UK. Regularly update and ensure that the availability of the material is known amongst key marketing/fundraising staff, senior management and the board of trustees

8. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES 8.1 In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of Depaul UK.

8.2 To participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary.

8.3 To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal, and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.

8.4 To ensure that all Depaul UK policies and procedures are being adhered to.

8.5 To contribute to the effective implementation of Depaul’s Equal Opportunities Policy as it affects both Depaul and its work with young people.

8.6 To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of Depaul UK1.

8.7 Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.

1 Depaul UK has a close relationship with the Catholic Church, the Vincentian Movement and other Christian denominations. It is important that all staff have respect for this relationship (refer to background notes).

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8.9 To deal with any emergency situation which may arise at any time, as agreed with the Chief Executive.

Note: The details contained in this Job Description summarise the main expectations of the role at the date it was prepared. It should be understood that the nature of individual roles will evolve and change as service, service users and commissioner needs change. Consequently Depaul UK will review and revise this Job Description as required in consultation with post holders.

CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU – DISCLOSURE Depaul UK aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. Depaul UK welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Criminal records will be taken into account for requirement purposes only when the conviction is relevant.

As Depaul UK meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Criminal Records Bureau before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions

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PERSON SPECIFICATION Communications Manager ______This person specification sets out the various criteria by which we will assess your application. When completing your application form please address all the areas below. Try to provide clear examples in your supporting statement that clarifies how and when you gained the experience or knowledge as well as your level of capability in each of the competencies.

1. EXPERIENCE tasks and priorities. Takes responsibility for own continuous learning and 1.1 Recent experience of the development professional development. and implementation of media relations and communications strategies 4.3 Expertise Recognised as a source of expertise and insight. Keeps up to date 1.2 Generating and securing media with latest professional developments. coverage Applies expertise to realise competitive 1.3 Working within a fund raising or and professional advantage for Depaul business development environment 4.4 Creativity and Innovation Ability to 1.4 Crisis management (media response source and develop new ideas. Ability etc) to practically implement new ideas to solve problems and bring about 2. KNOWLEDGE/ improvements to services and UNDERSTANDING/ TECHNICAL resources. 2.1 Understanding of the issues affecting 4.5 Continuous Improvement Recognising young homeless people the need for action or change, and 2.2 Knowledge of the policy context in taking the appropriate action without which Depaul operates (desirable) needing to be told. Problem-solving and decision making 2.3 Knowledge of Health & Safety and anti 4.6 discriminatory working practices, and Ability to use logical processes for the implications of both within the solving problems and making decisions. working environment 4.7 Change, Project and resources 2.4 Educated to degree level or equivalent management Plans and organises experience in the field projects and the activities of others to achieve results; able to manage IT literate (MS Word, Excel and 2.5 resources within budget. Publisher) 4.8 Needs led services Focused on views and needs of clients ensuring a quality 4. COMPETENCIES led effective service delivery. People Management Establishes and 4.1 4.9 Commitment and Integrity Maintains communicates clear standards and social, organisational and ethical values expectations and helps all staff to in all actions develop full potential. 4.10 Team working Committed and reliable Personal Effectiveness Confidence, 4.2 member of team and understands adaptability and stamina to rise to new impact of role on others challenges and deliver results. Ability to plan and organise to manage multiple

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4.11Communication Written and oral 4.13 Equity, Diversity and Rights Promotes communication is concise and equity and diversity, upholding the accurate. rights of clients, staff and volunteers 4.12Building effective external relationships Ability to build up and maintain a 5 CONTRACTUAL network of external contacts who can 5.1 Ability to work contracted hours flexibly help achieve service goals.

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Communications Manager – Background Information

Depaul UK won three national awards this year in the Marketing Society’s Awards for Excellence – Not for Profit, Marketing on a Shoestring, and Cutting Edge Thinking.

We are the largest national youth homeless charity and need to continue to raise our profile with a diverse group of stakeholders – including the general public, politicians and policy- makers, and opinion formers. We are regarded as an innovative communicator and are keen to continue to be seen as such. We have a leading journalist among our Trustees.

This is a single post, sitting within the Fundraising and Communications team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. We have a very limited communications budget but get great pro bono support. In the last year, we generated the equivalent of £1.2m through iHobo (www.iHobo.org) which was developed by one of our partners, Publicis. We also developed a bespoke Rubik Cube in partnership with Media Foundry.

The post has a key role in co-ordinating our internal and external communications activity and is both ‘hands-on’ – requiring good copywriting skills, excellent communication skills and experience of working with the media – as well as the ability to think strategically and enable all parts of the organisation to play their full part in our communications activity.

Regular tasks include:  Updating our website  Production of our annual review  Supporting projects in the production of communications materials.

Priorities for the coming period include:  Ensuring our brand is consistently used throughout the organisation  Increasing our profile in identified media  Co-ordinating the design and production of our next Corporate Plan  Implementing a communications plan with key central and local government contacts  Obtaining maximum value from our relationship with Rubik and other Corporate supporters  Enabling increased community engagement in Depaul’s work

The post is currently part-time and temporary, while we wait for decisions on investment in other parts of the Depaul Group. Depaul UK is part of an international group of charities working to tackle homelessness and disadvantage, currently in five different countries. The Group will be undertaking a branding and communications review next year and so, although there will be a continuing communications need here in the UK, we are not currently in a position to state what that will be.

For an informal discussion on the role, please contact Paul Marriott, Chief Executive on 0207 939 1228.