Communications Officer

**New year, new challenge...** **Do you want to join a dynamic team of communications professionals where no two days are the same?** **We are recruiting a communications officer to join our fantastic Newsdesk team in West Midlands Police.** Here’s what the team says about the role: - you feel empowered, valued and inspired to make a difference - we work with a range of partners, departments and media influencing change - able to be creative across multiple platforms - producing content for internal, website, social media and broadcast media - part of a dynamic team where your hard work and skills are recognised - offers personal progression with the opportunity to learn and develop new skills - work satisfaction and the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day - you work alongside a range of exciting departments across the force including Homicide, Dog Unit, Roads Policing and more to promote their work - clock watching simply won’t come into play in this role West Midlands Police is the second largest police force in England and we are recruiting into our busy Newsdesk which fields thousands of enquiries every year. You will help produce and distribute content that tells the story of what WMP is doing to keep communities safe, how they can protect themselves and how we are fighting crime. This will include the planning, organisation and implementation of clear, timely and two-way communication through print, digital and face-to-face channels. You will be part of a supportive team working on a rota and dealing closely with all sections of the organisation, alongside talented colleagues from across Corporate Communications. We offer a blended working approach, so you will spend some time on a local policing area as well as at our headquarters in Birmingham. You will also be expected to deploy across the West Midlands as you facilitate communication activity. There will also be the opportunity to work from home some of the time. You will receive an excellent pension, a generous annual leave allocation, free access to staff support services, and you will qualify for a Blue Light Discount card and be able to access sport and social club facilities. The team works an 11 week rota within the core hours (07.30-15.30 or 10.30-18:30) Monday to Sunday. Individuals work two weekends (08.00-17.00) within the 11 week rota - there is weekend allowance for these days (the weekend allowance is 4.18%) - during these weeks you would have requisite rest days in return. You will also be part of an on call rota for out of hours cover. **Skills and Competencies** - Degree or equivalent experience in similar role with a recognised professional qualification - Up to date knowledge of best practice in media and communications and media law - Must be able to write clearly and concisely and to adapt tone and style to circumstances and diverse audiences - Experience of designing and implementing communication plans and campaigns and measuring the outcomes - Ability to work as an effective part of a team demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support to colleagues as required - The ability to work calmly and accurately under pressure, managing multiple deadlines and deliver results through effective planning and organising of work - Filming and editing experience for real-time visual content - Proven experience of using social media and other digital based engagement effectively - Display high levels of emotional resilience and awareness on account of the distressing nature of the material which the role involves being exposed to **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 successful medical checks, which may include a drugs test. **Contact**: **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.** **"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".