** We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. **
Job Purpose
The Communications Assistant role will help build public trust, keep the community informed, and showcase the vital work of our officers, staff and volunteers. They will support the News Team in delivering high-impact campaigns, creating social media content and responding to media enquiries in a fast-paced environment.
The Communications Assistant post supports the planning, delivery, and evaluation of communications that seek to build trust, satisfaction, and confidence. Working as part of our force Corporate Communications Department the role will contribute to delivering creative, collaborative and innovative communications, particularly focused on hyper-targeted, localised messaging that supports operational priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Public Relations and Media
The role will support media relations activity, including drafting news releases and public messaging and assist with responding to media enquiries under supervision. It will support the delivery of media opportunities and with spokespeople providing interviews and press conferences. Assist in the production of high-quality communications plans that include key products such as internal messaging and plans, stakeholder briefings, press notices, core scripts/briefing, journalist briefings and Q&A packs. Help to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activity to identify risks and opportunities, reporting into department managers.
Content and Channel Support
The postholder will assist in drafting and producing creative, engaging and innovative content, both written and digital, for all force communication channels including website, media, digital, social media, community engagement platforms and internal communication channels. Assist in the monitoring of content on our social media channels, seeking out trends and public sentiment to help the force respond effectively to community concerns.
Capture and edit basic video and photography to highlight community policing and safety campaigns.
Campaigns and projects
This role will contribute to communications and campaigns from planning through to delivery and evaluation to support operational priorities and organisational objectives. Support events, launches, and promotional activities, including logistics and development of communication materials. Provide event support, attending the likes of community events, recruitment fairs, and press conferences to provide live communications support. Support the development of behaviour change communications both internally and externally. Work collaboratively with colleagues, key stakeholders and external partners and suppliers where required.
Research and Insight
The postholder will carry out research to understand audiences, stakeholders, and communication channels. Support in the monitoring of trends, identifying new communication approaches, and best practice in communications and across various current and new channels. Help to track sentiment to identify shifts in tone and provide early warning of emerging issues and trends. Support the effective monitoring and evaluation processes to measure the impact of our work.
Professional Practice
The role will assist in the ongoing maintenance of accurate records, plans, and content libraries. Manage time and priorities effectively, meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Attend planning and content development meetings and input accordingly.
Click here to view the full details of the role including the Essential, Desirable and any educational requirements for the role.
Hours
Monday - Friday, 0800 - 1600 (36.5 hours), a degree of flexibility may be required.
Location
Lloyd House, B4 6AT
Allowances
N/A
Interviews
W/C 5th October / 12th October
Vetting
Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.
Medical
Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a hearing test.
West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.
It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.
“Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities”
