Senior Communications Officer - Website

Fixed Term (Maternity Cover until September 2012)

Main Purpose of Job

This role, based in Medway Council’s Communications and Marketing team, is vital to improving our website further to provide the best possible online service for residents in Medway. You will be working closely with the council’s transformation programme to increase the take-up of online services and help the council meet its goals for channel shift.

Person Specification Must have / be:

Qualified web, communications or public relations specialist (for example CIPR, CIM, IDM, related degree or suitable alternative) or have demonstrable substantial relevant experience

Significant experience of managing or co-ordinating a large or complex website,

Demonstrable in-depth knowledge of the workings of local government (Desirable).

Demonstrable knowledge of the current issues facing local government (Desirable).

Political awareness and have experience of working in a medium to large size, complex organisation (Desirable).

Excellent IT skills – word processing, internet applications, content management systems, basic HTML and social media including blogs, Twitter, Facebook.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in an understandable way.

Ability to manage time effectively, planning own workload and setting appropriate objectives and deadlines.

Demonstrable experience of thoroughly analyzing information, and considering alternative solutions, adapting to new ways of working where necessary.

Commitment to continually seek and implement improvements and helping others to cope with change.

Excellent writing and sub-editing skills and know how to write for different audiences (Desirable).

Use of email marketing systems and understanding of application of relevant standards and laws (Desirable).

Ability to demonstrate a wide understanding of customer needs and being able to manage their expectations.

Ability to contribute to team plans and objective setting, initiating ideas for managing their own and others workloads.

Demonstrable experience of coping well under pressure and difficult situations, able to identify and act on own development needs.

Commitment to equality and diversity, accepting differences and treating everyone fairly.

How to apply

There is NO application form, we will shortlist for interview / assessment based on the information you provide in your letter of application or a CV, so it must include all the items below, FAILURE TO INCLUDE ANY OF THE REQUESTED INFORMATION IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN YOU NOT BEING SHORTLISTED SO PLEASE ENSURE YOUR LETTER OF APPLICATION/CV IS IN THE ORDER SPECIFIED BELOW.

1. Your name including any known as and previous names used.

2. Your contact details including address, contact telephone and email.

3. The post you are applying for and where you saw it advertised.

4. Your full work history, explaining any gaps. Including employer’s name, address, dates from and to, reasons for leaving and current salary. If you have never been employed before then please state that clearly.

5. Your full education history, explaining any gaps, including membership of any professional bodies, level obtained and date of entry.

6. Any relevant criminal record information (please see additional guidance notes), if Nil please indicate this clearly in your letter. If you are unsure whether this applies to yourself please contact a member of the HR Support team for further details.

7. We require details of 1 referee in your letter of application / CV. If you are currently working we will need a reference from your current employer. If you are not currently working, we will need a reference from your most recent employer/school or college. References will normally be taken up at the offer of appointment stage.

Finally, you need to outline why you are the right person for this job – remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the “person specification” section above in the order that they appear. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work or personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you are submitting a C.V. please ensure it is tailored to meet this requirement and fully answer all the questions.

Please also complete the attached equal opportunity monitoring form and ensure that you include the following statement (either by cutting and pasting or copying.)

Disclosure of relationships, please delete as applicable:

i) I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief, I am not related to, or in a relationship with, any Councillor, or employee of Medway Council

ii) I declare that I am related to, or in a relationship with, the following Councillor or employee of Medway Council.

Name……………………… Position………………………. Relationship ……………

Name……………………… Position………………………. Relationship……….……

Signed…………………………………………… Date……………………………….

Closing Date: 25 November 2011

Interview Date: 6 December 2011

e-mail to jobs@medway.gov.uk

Post to Resourcing Team, HR Services, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

Or, if you have any queries, please contact us on 01634 332878 or if you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager call Charlotte Edwards on 01634 332449.

Please note that providing false information is an offence and could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal if you are appointed.