JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB IDENTIFICATION Job Title: Communications Officer Responsible to Communication and Engagement Manager Department(s): Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) Directorate: Strategic Planning Operating Division: Communications and Engagement Job Reference: 033896 No of Job Holders: 1 Last Update (insert date): July 2020 2. JOB PURPOSE To provide comprehensive support to the communications and engagement team for EHSCP by developing and maintaining internal and external communications to promote a wider knowledge and understanding of services to both the workforce and members of the public. Lead responsibility for the development and dissemination of relevant communications on key projects and ensuring that the operational communications and engagement plans seek to improve the reputation of EHSCP and reflect the wider communications framework and strategic direction e.g. Strategic plans, Transformation updates, IJB information, public health information. 3. DIMENSIONS To work within Strategic planning directorate in the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership. The EHSCP is responsible for the planning, management and delivery of community and bed- based health and social care services for the c500,000 people living in Edinburgh. It is responsible for managing the budgets and has delegated authority to deliver integrated health and social care services. Whilst there are no staffing responsibilities, the post holder will liaise with staff from communications teams in NHS Lothian and City of Edinburgh Council, partner organisations and temporary resources as required to deliver an outstanding integrated communication and engagement service. Although the role has no budget responsibilities, the role holder will need to be mindful of the team’s budget and how it will impact and influence campaign management within the team. 4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION 5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT The role of the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership is to: Create capacity to deliver services more innovatively, effectively and efficiently involving staff in NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council, the voluntary and independent sector providers and all stakeholders. Shape services to meet local needs by directly influencing NHS Lothian and Council planning, priority setting and resource allocation. Integrate health and social care services within the community and between acute hospital care and community care, underpinned by service redesign and clinical networks and by appropriate contractual and financial systems. Work to improve health and tackle inequalities in health and promote policies that address poverty, deprivation and public protection. Deliver sustainable health and social care services as set out in the Strategic Plan. 6. KEY RESULT AREAS 1. Support the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian values, through the application of appropriate behaviours and attitudes. 2. Support delivery of communications and engagement activity on behalf of Directors, Heads of Service and elected Integrated Joint Board (IJB) members including high-profile communications initiatives, issues management and major changes across the organisation. 3. To provide project management and be responsible for end-to-end delivery of major communications initiatives. 4. Lead on the development of the website and social media channels, with day-to-day responsibility for creating and publishing content. They will also lead on the development and delivery of strategic communications and engagement campaigns relating to major projects, departments and initiatives of EHSCP and its partner organisations. 5. Work closely with NHS Lothian Communications, collaborating on and supporting ‘whole system’ external and internal campaigns and ensuring EHSCP campaigns and media strategies are aligned with wider system messaging and objectives. 6. Design, contribute and disseminate external communications and public health information campaigns, using a range of communication channels. 7. Communicate complex and sensitive information in an understandable form to staff and the wider workforce to ensure maximum effectiveness. 8. Make recommendations to departmental working practices and help implement them. 9. Build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, NHS Board members, Council staff, elected members, senior managers and clinicians, and external partners to support co-operative and partnership working and information sharing. 10. Support the execution of events, creating supporting collateral and communications as required, and work with the team to support the delivery of public engagement and involvement work e.g. campaigns, focus groups, surveys, consultations. 11. Support media enquiries and proactive media campaigns to enhance and protect the EHSCP brand if required. 7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY The following are examples of equipment which will be used when undertaking the role. Personal computer – to prepare work and communicate via e-mail both internally and externally, to research information via internet and intranet and to update internet and intranet; Printer and photocopier – to reproduce work and distribute it; Telephone – both landline and mobile - to communicate both internally and externally with staff Organisation and supply of resources for team meetings and events, eg Powerpoint, laptops, flipcharts, white boards, leaflets, folders etc. Note: New equipment may be introduced as the organisation and technology develops, however training will be provided. 7b. SYSTEMS The following are examples of systems which will be used when undertaking the role: Excellent understanding and use of computer systems and software packages is required, e.g: Twitter/Facebook – posting content, optimum use of SEO and hashtags, bidding and auction participation. Wordpress. Microsoft Teams – correspondence, use of chat functionality and video calls. Skype – correspondence and collaborating. Microsoft Word/PowerPoint– correspondence, report writing, designing data collection tools/ questionnaires, producing and presenting presentations. Microsoft Outlook – email and diary management. Note: New systems may be introduced as the organisation and technology develops, however training will be provided. 8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK The role is managed by the Communications and Engagement Manager who will provide direction for the role. Most of the work is self-generated and the role holder will be expected to be pro-active and work autonomously within the delegated sphere of responsibility, seeking advice, guidance and direction from the Communications and Engagement Manager as required. The post holder will be given specific assignments, manage campaigns and design internal and external campaign collateral, working with stakeholders across the business. Another primary responsibility will be for the day-to-day management of our social media platforms. The post holder will also have specific assignments on public and media engagement. 9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT & CREATIVITY To lead on the development of the social media channels and/or website with day-to-day responsibility for creating and publishing content. To lead on the development and delivery of strategic communications and engagement campaigns relating to major projects, departments and initiatives of EHSCP and its partner organisations. Expected to use experience and learning, in particular in relation to social media, to drive service improvement in and contribute ideas and practical solutions to ongoing communications challenges. DECISION MAKING & JUDGEMENT To work under the direction of the Communications and Engagement Manager but will also be expected to be able to exercise judgement over their own workload, prioritising where necessary, for example where competing demands are being made on their time for a piece of work to be finished and delivered. Specific decisions/judgements and resolution of problems are generally discussed/conveyed with Business Manager. 10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB Some topics being communicated can be sensitive and provoke response from the public, our social media audience and local and national media. The post holder will need an approach which is sympathetic to this, whilst also being able to deliver the key messages required in a way which is clear and concise. Required to meet tight deadlines on a variety of projects simultaneously, whilst dealing with persistent interruptions, resulting in the constant reprioritisation of workload. Working across a service that has a number of localities, as well as a large central hub, and ensuring messages are delivered in a way which is relevant and timely across all of these. 11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS Given the complex nature of communications, the role holder will need to have the ability to communicate with a diverse range of staffing groups, key stakeholders and members of the public: - Handling sometimes sensitive and complex information and communicating it to them in an understandable form to ensure maximum effectiveness. - Persuading and influencing them to the benefits of communications within the sphere of health and social care. - Empowering them to take responsibility for some communications matters as appropriate. Internal stakeholders: To ensure effective and consistent development and delivery of the communications strategy, the role holder will have: Regular contact with the Communications and Engagement Manager about all