Job title: Communications Officer
Salary: In line with IPSA pay scales
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours)
Length of contract: Permanent
Location: Dundee Central constituency office
Overview
Chris Law MP is looking for a Communications Officer to join his team in Dundee Central with responsibility for external communications and constituency engagement.
Working closely with the Member of Parliament, Parliamentary Assistant and Caseworkers, the successful candidate will assist in developing and implementing a strategy for increasing the impact and visibility of the MP’s work in parliament and in the constituency.
The successful candidate will be responsible for proactive and reactive digital content creation, social media management, and press and media work that reflects the MP’s priorities. This will include drafting press releases, statements, comments, articles and briefings, alongside capturing and editing photography and video for use online.
They will be expected to build constructive relationships with local and national press, develop a strong understanding of constituency issues, and expand their knowledge of parliamentary and public policy matters.
The Communications Officer will take the lead on all constituency-facing communications including developing and delivering local campaigns, producing regular newsletters and updates, and managing and responding to policy and campaign correspondence.
The successful candidate will play an important role in providing diary management within the constituency, coordinating meetings and engagements, and helping to ensure the MP’s time and activity in the constituency is well planned and impactful. They will act as a key contact for all local organisations, handling their enquiries and ensuring appropriate follow-up and strong relationship management.
The Communications Officer role is varied and fast-paced and will require excellent judgement, strong organisational skills, creativity, and the ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
Key responsibilities
- Assist with surgeries and other meetings and follow up as appropriate
- Design and develop engaging, targeted content and messages across a range of channels
- Engage professionally, confidentially with care and integrity with members of the public, through telephone enquiries, social media, emails, and face-to-face.
- Ensure online presence is meeting the demands of the constituents, the locality and the MP
- Establish a social media presence in the constituency and publicise surgeries etc.
- Establish and develop appropriate strategies around social media and online presence in the constituency. Produce online graphics and video content, as well as publicising surgeries and news alerts
- Evaluate the impact of external communications activity
- Follow up on social media queries and comments
- Liaise with government agencies, voluntary sector, and others to resolve constituency matters.
- Manage the MP’s website contents
- Monitor media coverage, liaise with media, prepare press releases as required (on constituency, non-party political matters)
- Oversee the monitoring and updating of online platforms including the website and social media
- Prepare media briefings
- Proactive and re-active communications with all media
- Provide briefings for the MP
- Publicise the Member’s parliamentary duties on Social Media
- Respond professionally, sensitively, confidentially and with integrity to routine correspondence and enquiries by email, telephone, social media and face to face from constituents, the media, lobbyists and pressure groups
- Responsible for the management and development of the external communication presence of the MP office
- Support the MP’s office and objectives through highly effective communication and social media presence.
- Take initial action on queries from members of the public, including responding on behalf of the MP as appropriate.
- There may be requirement for the role holder to work outside of normal hours and travel for work occasionally
Essential skills and experience
- Ability to work effectively independently and demonstrate use of own initiative
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge and understanding of Scotland’s political landscape in both devolved and reserved matters
- Strong organisational and time management skills
Desirable skills and experience
- Competency in the use of Adobe Premier Pro or similar video editing software
- Experience in digital content creation and of working with social media platforms and managing websites
- Experience in a political, campaign, communications or public affairs environment
- Experience of working with elected representatives and/or the media
- Knowledge of the Dundee Central constituency
Applications: To apply for the role, please send a copy of your CV and a one-page covering letter outlining your skills and experience to [email protected] with “COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER APPLICATION” in the subject field.
Closing date: Wednesday 17th June at 6pm.
Employment is conditional upon the successful candidate completing the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office.
