Assistant Media and Communication Officer
5516
Assistant Media and Communication Officer
Salary: £28,163 and a London Location Allowance of £2,623.
Location: Westminster
You’re on duty in the Metropolitan Police press office; you receive a call from a police officer telling you they’ve found a body and the media are on the scene… how do you react? If you have the right skill-set, and temperament then this could be the job for you…
The Met has arguably the busiest press office in the world, fielding thousands of enquiries during the course of a year. The team works every day to inform and engage Londoners, leading and driving campaigns, handling media enquiries, and supporting the staff and officers of London's largest single employer. It is a busy and challenging task, carried out around the clock.
The Met has fascinating stories to tell and incredible content to showcase. We are one of London’s leading digital content producers, and have established social channels that reach millions every month.
The nature of policing is to be visible and accessible, and for our communities to know who we are - our online presence and digital content production is a key part of this.
We are looking to recruit enthusiastic and innovative communicators to join our highly skilled, award winning, dynamic team - one that constantly sets the news agenda on a daily basis.
You’ll have the confidence and skills to deal with any incidents that come your way. Whether it’s responding to breaking news about a terrorism incident or delivering a bespoke social media campaign to inform Londoners about our work, you’ll need to be prepared for anything and use your expertise and ideas to help deliver impactful communication and content.
This will include supporting the planning and delivery of clear, timely and two-way communication through print, broadcast, digital and face-to-face channels.
Your role will be part of a supportive team where you will be working with talented colleagues across the Directorate of Media and Communications’ news team.
A generous programme of benefits, including support for training and development, professional membership, season ticket loan and extensive sports and fitness facilities, are available for the right candidate.
At least one years’ relevant work experience in a communications team with a media and/or digital focus is essential for this role.
A degree is ideal but not required and candidates will have a good understanding of different news media - owned and not owned, as well as digital media and how to use them to communicate and engage directly with the public.
To apply, please visit our website to download a role specific information pack and click on the link to complete and submit the online application form. You will also be required to submit a detailed CV and Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23.55pm 24th November 2019
We view diversity as fundamental to our success. To tackle today’s complex policing challenges, we need a workforce made up from all of London’s communities. Applications from across the community are therefore essential.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer the Met have committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.
www.metpolicecareers.co.uk
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- At least one years’ relevant work experience in a communications team with a media and/or digital focus is essential
- A degree is ideal but not required with at least one years’ relevant work experience in a communications team with a media and/or digital focus
- An good understanding of different news media - owned and not owned
- A good understanding of digital media and how to use them to communicate and engage directly with the public
PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL SKILLS
Communications
- Experience of helping to manage and deliver reactive and proactive media and digital media, dealing with journalists, monitoring media, logging interactions and gathering content.
- Experience of dealing with journalists at a national level. Confidence in speaking to senior journalists and understanding of how to prioritise urgency of their inquiries.
- Understanding of how journalists work and how a good working relationship can be built.
Strategic communications
- Understanding of what great communication (including digital) looks like and can achieve, and how the best media content and reactive responses can contribute.
- Basic understanding of different communication disciplines - internal, marketing, digital - and how they operate together.
Communications Planning
- A sound understanding of evaluation approaches and the ability to analyse and report data.
- Experience of preparing press lines, contributing to strategy planning and preparing content, including digital.
- Experience of contributing to planning and strategies for the effective use of media and social media channels.
Writing
- A sound news sense and an ability to write and edit great content for both digital and traditional channels, with attention to detail, and in a way that is clear, concise, grammatically correct and in line with editorial guidelines.
Building Capability For All
- Good experience of supporting training programmes and continued quality assurance
Administration
- Experience in running and implementing systems to help the running of a busy department.
IT literacy
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Basic Knowledge of filming, photo and video editing, and the ability to quickly pick up new tools and techniques.
- Ability to upload information and publish content to digital platforms.
LEADERSHIP
Influencing And Persuading
- Experience of working with a wide variety of stakeholders of all levels and the ability express ideas and views persuasively.
- Experience in providing communication advice to others in the organisation and making judgments on escalating more critical issues.
- Experience of presenting communication advice at meetings.
Making Effective Decisions
- Ability to do appropriate analysis to develop decisions or recommendations.
Managing A Quality Service
- Good time and project management skills, and the ability to work independently, multi-task and cope under pressure.
Seeing The Big Picture
- Knowledge of policing and contacts and resources inside and outside the organisation to assist them in performing their role.
Changing And Improving
- A commitment to continual improvement and actively seeks insights and information on communications best practice. Recognise the importance of active engagement in opportunities through professional groups.
Leading And Communicating
- Lives the Met’s values and demonstrates self-motivation, energy, creativity and a passion for communication.
Resilience
- Manages emotions positively in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations.
Achieving Outcomes
- Ability to help deliver quality media communication.
Media Policy
- An understanding of the importance of and experience of following media policies.
Disability Confident Statement
The Met is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from ethnic minority groups and females.
As a Disability Confident employer, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. If you consider yourself to have access, workplace or reasonable adjustment requirements that need to be accommodated, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence and will not affect any recruitment decisions.
Read our full disability confidence statement.
This opportunity is closed to applications.