News & Communications Officer

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced News & Communications Officer to join Merseyside Police at their Police Headquarters in Rose Hill Liverpool.

You will be working Monday to Friday full time hours and is a 12 month contract.

PLEASE NOTE DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE ROLE AND THE POLICE VETTING CRITERIA ANY APPLICANTS MUST HAVE RESIDED WITHIN THE UK CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION

Job Purpose:

To provide a professional operational news service for the force, on a 24-hour basis, with the aim of increasing public confidence, reducing the fear of crime, helping communities understand the work of Merseyside Police and helping the force deliver its strategy and objectives.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Manage, under the direction of the News Team Leader, the media management of serious crimes and incidents countywide and issues which will expose the force to international, national or regional media attention in order to maintain public confidence. The post-holder must react quickly and manage potentially damaging issues, producing communications plans. Work will include:

• negotiating with the media and mitigating risks to the force
• negotiating and consulting with internal and external stakeholders
• analysing complex and sensitive issues to formulate a media response
• Identify newsworthy items to promote the force at a local, regional and national level, then produce plans to ensure their effective communication to the public via traditional, social and digital media. This will also include scanning national and regional issues to ensure the force is effectively positioned on emerging issues.

Maintain a good, professional working relationship with all members of the media, proactively creating opportunities for effective liaison between the media and Chief Officers, PR & Campaigns Officers and senior managers.

Support in managing the media during serious/critical/major incidents and act as an advisor to police officers and staff:

1. Develop and implement communication plans for large-scale events. This will include acting as lead news officer in a multi-agency situation and coordinating the communications plan and response on behalf of partners, including emergency services, local authorities, government departments and health services.
2. Act as a force spokesperson on behalf of Merseyside Police or take responsibility for the provision of a suitable spokesperson. This will involve the development of briefing papers and a communications plan in order to position the spokesperson and force effectively. Liaise with key stakeholders including the Home Office, NPCC, Independent Office for Police Complaints, Independent Press Standards Office, Crown Prosecution Service, Local Authorities, Court Services and other Emergency Services, when necessary to manage relevant media inquiries.
3. Work closely with colleagues across the News and Communications team to maximise the potential of all news activity, through effective teamwork, including the areas of internal communications, PR and campaigns and digital.
4. Identify news opportunities and create content using words, images and video to tell effective stories on behalf of Merseyside Police, via traditional and social media and through new and emerging channels, embedding creativity and innovation in our approach.
5. Input into force training courses, providing an overview of the News and Communications Office operations and guidelines on effective communication techniques. Support the creation and delivery of effective media training within the force
6. Assist with all forms of media liaison including call handling, arranging and facilitating press briefings, as well as arranging and advising on interview opportunities and logging all media contact. Plan, supervise and organise media filming schedules ensuring legal compliance and risk mitigation at all times.
7. Demonstrate a strong personal commitment to delivering a quality service that will help the force deliver its strategy and achieve its objectives.
8. Undertake all responsibilities relating to information management, data quality and information sharing, intelligence and information security to ensure accordance with the Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on Information Management, issued by the College of Policing, including the Home Office Code of Practice on the Management of Police Information (MoPI).

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Demonstrable experience of working in a busy press office environment for a large organisation.

Proven experience of planning and delivering news activity to protect and enhance an organisation's image.

Experience of sourcing, researching and distributing quality news content using press releases, images and video to effectively tell stories.

Experience of and an understanding of working to media and publishing laws.

Good written and oral communication skills, interpersonal and presentation skills in order to effectively represent the force to the media and other stakeholders.

Ability to work under pressure and possess qualities of tact, diplomacy and resilience as the working environment is challenging with work often having to be delivered to tight deadlines.

Must be able to work effectively in an environment where confidentiality is paramount and discretion essential.

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