Recruitment Opportunities |
03/04/2008
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
Media Relations Officer
Arts Development Officer
(Architecture and Art in the Public Realm)
Media Relations Officer
Maternity Cover (Up to 12 months)
1. Introduction
This post is for a Media Relations Officer in the Arts Development Department.
2. Terms and Conditions
Salary Range £22,621-£29,922 per annum.
Initial salary will fall within the scale minimum and scale maximum. Annual increases in salary are in accordance with NICS pay policy. They are normally payable from 1st August each year, subject to at least 3 months satisfactory performance in the specific reporting year (April to March).
Pension Scheme The Council offers a contributory pension scheme operated through the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee.
Probationary Period The appointment will commence with a probation period of six months which may be terminated at a month’s notice by either side during the period.
Annual Leave Twenty five working days per annum. The leave year runs from
1st March to 28/29th February.
Hours of Business
Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.30pm (Flexi-Time: 8.00am to 6.30pm)
Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm (Flexi-Time: 8.00am to 6.00pm)
(including one hour for lunch every day)
The post holder may be required to work outside the Arts Council’s normal office and flexi-time hours.
Office Location The post is based at the Arts Council’s headquarters, 77 Malone Road, Belfast.
3. Closing Date
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 5.00pm Friday 18th April 2008.
The completed Application Form and Recruitment Monitoring Form should be returned in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL and must be addressed to:
The Monitoring Officer
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
MacNeice House
77 Malone Road
Belfast BT9 6AQ
Failure to complete and return the Application Form in accordance with the Guidance Notes contained on the reverse of the first page of the Application Form will result in your application being disqualified.
Canvassing will disqualify.
Copies of this job application pack are available in large text or on disk, on written request only, from the Corporate Services Department, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, MacNeice House, 77 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 6AQ or by email from registry@artscouncil-ni.org
4. Shortlisting
Initial shortlisting will be carried out using the Essential requirements in the Person Specification. Should further shortlisting be necessary, the Desirable requirements will be applied in the order shown.
5. Additional Information
A PR written test will form part of the recruitment exercise for this post.
6. Interviews
The interviews for this post are scheduled to be held during week commencing Monday 28th April 2008.
The Arts Council will treat all information and documents supplied in support of this application as strictly confidential unless required to disclose such by a statutory body in connection with any claim which may arise out of the appointment.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible to: Communications and Media Manager
Member of: Communications Team comprising Communications and Media Manager, Communications Officer, Departmental Support Officer and Communications Assistant (Student placement).
Objectives of the Post
• To support the Communications Manager in the development and implementation of a proactive strategic programme of corporate media relations in line with the Arts Council’s corporate communications strategy.
• To deliver the Arts Council’s key messages to the media and to be the initial point of contact for all media enquiries or approaches.
• To develop new relationships and maintain and improve existing relationships with relevant press and broadcast media on behalf of the Arts Council.
• To monitor media coverage and provide professional, qualitative media evaluation reports.
Scope of Responsibility
The post holder will have a key role in the implementation of the Arts Council’s Communication Strategy. The principal purpose of the post is to deliver the Arts Council’s key messages to the media and to be the initial point of contact for the media.
Principal Duties
Proactive Public Relations
• To develop an Arts Council media strategy and to plan and implement specific media events and campaigns;
• To provide the Arts Council with professional advice on relevant media relations and corporate issues management;
• To identify and deliver newsworthy PR opportunities in conjunction with Arts Council officers and Council members;
• To research, write and distribute all media materials and news releases, promoting positive coverage of the Arts Council;
• To plan and deliver PR activities to support Arts Council launches, events, conferences, photocalls and media briefings as required;
• To develop and implement the Arts Council’s public relations protocol.
Media Enquiries and Issues Management
• To manage the day-to-day media relations work including being the first point of contact for all media enquiries and media information;
• To work under pressure and to tight deadlines responding to local, regional and national journalists in a timely, accurate and professional manner;
• To plan for and liaise with the media during issues of crisis management;
• To act as an advocate for the Arts Council in communication with the media.
Development of Media Relations
• To have an understanding of the needs of journalists and broadcasters and to build and improve relationships with existing and new media: press, broadcast and online;
• To develop regular, proactive communication and face-to-face meetings with media and communications professionals in key funded and government organisations;
• To research, develop and maintain an effective, up-to-date media contacts database;
• To assist in the development of media relations guidelines for the Arts Council and to monitor implementation.
Media Monitoring and Evaluation
• To monitor and log all media enquiries received and action taken by Council;
• To track media coverage and analyse trends;
• To provide regular reports to the Communications Manager and to Council on media coverage using professional, qualitative evaluation.
Other Duties
• To participate as directed in the Arts Council’s recruitment and interview procedures;
• To support the implementation of the Arts Council’s policy in relation to equality of opportunity.
• Undertake any other appropriate duties which may reasonably be allocated from time to time.
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
Essential
1. Experience: You must be able to demonstrate a breadth and depth of experience across the principal duties of this post. To demonstrate this you will probably possess a minimum of 2 years full time experience within the last 4 years in a similar role.
2. Standard of Education: Educated to degree standard and a minimum of Grade A-C in GCSE Mathematics and English (Language) (or equivalent). Must hold a relevant professional qualification in an appropriate discipline e.g. Public Relations or Journalism.
3. IT Skills: You must be computer literate and be competent in the use of Microsoft Office, Word, Access, Excel, Powerpoint and be able to manage information databases.
4. Copy Writing and Editing: Ability to write and edit copy to a high standard for news releases and corporate publications, online and hard copy.
5. Communications Skills: Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, the ability to present complex information clearly and succinctly and to be an advocate for the organisation.
6. Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work as a member of a small team and individually under own initiative demonstrating confidence and assertiveness at all times.
7. Good Working Relationships: Develop and maintain good working relationships with the media as well as dealing effectively with people at all levels both internal and external to the organisation.
8. Deadlines: Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
9. Hours of Work: The post holder will be required to work outside the Arts Council’s flexible working hours arrangements.
10. Car User: It is essential that applicants have a valid driving licence and use of a car for business purposes, or have access to a form of transport which will permit the applicant to meet the requirements of the post in full.
Desirable
11. Experience: A minimum of 2 years full time experience within the last 4 years in a similar role.
12. Professional Membership: Membership (excluding student status) of a recognised professional body e.g. CIPR.
13. Knowledge of the Arts: Knowledge of the issues surrounding the arts in Northern Ireland.
14. Experience of the Arts: Experience of working in an arts environment.
