Job Specifications
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ’s. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQ’s (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Job Summary
The post holder:
will possess excellent writing skills, which are essential to this role, and have a proven track record of drafting versatile, quality content for a wide range of channels and platforms
must be confident in liaising with and influencing journalists – working proactively to ‘sell in’ stories and reactively to rebut any inaccurate reporting.
will bring a strategic approach to developing impactful public health communications and information for promoting the UKHSA’s work on infectious diseases and environmental hazards, so that the public and stakeholders have access to timely, useful information which will assist them in decision making about their or their populations’ health.
Job Description
We are looking for an organised, creative press officer to join our media team, who is a self-starter with first-rate written and verbal communication skills.
The post holder will be adept at drafting high quality media content, which will make an impact across a range of media channels for diverse audiences. In addition, the post holder will be competent in dealing with complex scientific issues and statistical data and have the ability to explain this information clearly to non-scientific audiences.
The post holder will also have a strong news sense – identifying and developing proactive communications, particularly digital. Strong influencing and negotiating skills are essential, enabling the post holder to deal effectively and persuasively with stakeholders, as well as the media.
Working well under pressure and to tight deadlines is essential, as is a flexible approach to work and being a good team player.
We are looking for an organised, creative press officer to join our media team, who is a self-starter with first-rate written and verbal communication skills.
The post holder will be adept at drafting high quality media content, which will make an impact across a range of media channels for diverse audiences. In addition, the post holder will be competent in dealing with complex scientific issues and statistical data and have the ability to explain this information clearly to non-scientific audiences.
The post holder will also have a strong news sense – identifying and developing proactive communications, particularly digital. Strong influencing and negotiating skills are essential, enabling the post holder to deal effectively and persuasively with stakeholders, as well as the media.
Working well under pressure and to tight deadlines is essential, as is a flexible approach to work and being a good team player.
Person specification
The post holder will develop and maintain mutually beneficial working relationships both internally within UKHSA and externally with stakeholders and the media.
Duties will include
Internal
Close liaison with policy experts across the communications directorate and related areas including senior management, our Science, Medical and Data groups, Health Protection, marketing colleagues and regional communications teams.
External
Close liaison with the media and many stakeholder groups including other government departments, the NHS, local authorities, charities, public health bodies and academics.
Key Responsibilities Will Be
To provide media handling advice to colleagues both nationally and regionally
To draft clear, high-quality content for a wide range of channels and audiences
To ensure content is underpinned by sound use of UKHSA’s data and intelligence wherever appropriate
To identify opportunities for developing quality proactive communications output, as well as identifying any potential reputational risks
To manage proactive and reactive media communications, including:
To act as a point of contact for incoming enquiries from journalists and to develop timely responses
To proactively sell in stories to the media–press and broadcast
To monitor the range of media channels, including press and digital, and respond to any inaccurate or misleading content particularly where there is a reputational risk
To build and maintain good relations with key journalists
To co-ordinate any broadcast bids and provide support to UKHSA spokespeople undertaking interviews
To undertake ev
About the Company
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for planning, preventing and responding to external health threats, and providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage.
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