Communications Officer, Kent and Medway Resilience Forum

Role Responsibility

We are looking for an experienced Communications Officer to join KCC to support the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF) on a 12-month contract.

The KMRF is a multi-agency partnership made up of representatives from a range of organisations, including the Emergency Services, Local Authorities, the NHS, and the Environment Agency.  KCC, as a Category 1 responder, is a key member of the KMRF and lead agency for the multiagency response to many of the emergencies that have county-wide impacts. The partnership also works with government departments, utility companies, transport providers, and the voluntary sector. You will be working within a wider multi-disciplined communications team, with lots of opportunity for development and cross-working on a range of KMRF and Kent County Council communications.

This is an exciting and fast-paced role which will give the right candidate huge experience in crisis communications, both in planning and response, in the largest local authority area in the UK. This is a new role, which is primarily aimed at supporting KMRF communications in reaching the public and sharing information that will keep people safe in times of crises. Whether flooding, a major fire, a cyber-attack, or another pandemic, your skills could help Kent prepare for, and respond effectively to, the next emergency.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for leading on Communications Strategies and stakeholder engagement, supported by the Chair of the KMRF Communications Cell. This position is currently held by the Corporate Communications Manager for Kent County Council. You will need to ensure that KMRF Communications adheres to national standards for public communication within the KMRF, and build strong and effective partnerships across all KMRF communications teams.

We need an experienced communications professional who can proactively lead, and ensure that information is effectively gathered and shared, to engage the right people, at the right time, always with a focus on public safety.

In crisis communications, both in planning and response, every day is different and brings new challenges. Managed by the Corporate Communications Manager for Kent County Council, you will be fully supported in this role and will have the opportunity to make a real difference to how KMRF partner agencies connect with people in Kent.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop strong relationships with the communications leads from KMRF partner organisations and other stakeholders to support the development of warning and informing messaging.
• Lead on KMRF communications strategies.
• Be part of an out-of-hours on-call service on a rota basis during response in an emergency, including 24 hour and weekend cover (an additional allowance is provided).
• Centrally manage communications plans and toolkits to be used in the event of an emergency.
• Develop and review communications procedures and protocols, and ensure distribution lists and templates are up to date.
• Support on the development and distribution of materials and messages to support public resilience.
• Provide updates to KMRF governance board meetings on communications activity and forward planning.

Shortlisting Criteria 

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Excellent spoken and written English and the ability to turn complex information into easy-to-understand and engaging content.
• The ability to create and publish a range of content – media releases, statements, videos, articles, features, and social media posts – that align with KCC and the KMRF’s brand and values.
• Relevant degree, NCTJ qualification, or equivalent experience in a communications role.
• Experience of developing and implementing communications campaigns.
• Experience of crisis communications and stakeholder management.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
 

Contact Details

For more information please contact Lucy Mayor, Kent County Council Corporate Communications Manager on 03000 416421 or email Lucy.mayor@kent.gov.uk 

About the Company

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KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county’s working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.