AMS PSR

On behalf of the Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI), we are looking for a Senior Communications and Media Officer (Inside IR35) for a 13 month contract based in Belfast (3 days per week, with flex)

EA was established on 1 April 2015 under the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014. EA is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Education (DE) and the Department for the Economy (DfE), responsible for ensuring that efficient and effective primary and secondary education and educational services are available to meet the needs of children and young people, and for ensuring the provision of efficient and effective youth services.

As a Senior Communications and Media Officer, your main responsibilities will be:

Strategic Communications & Planning

• Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of strategic communications and media plans for an assigned Directorate/Programme, aligned to the EA Communications Strategy and organisational priorities.
• Deliver an annual, prioritised programme of communications activity with clear objectives, targets and measurable outcomes.
• Provide strategic communications advice to Directors, Assistant Directors and senior staff on complex, high-profile and sensitive issues.
• Monitor media and political environments, reporting emerging risks and opportunities.
• Contribute to corporate performance reporting and service development.

Campaigns, Engagement & Content

• Plan, manage and evaluate evidence-based communications campaigns across multiple channels, including media, digital, internal communications and events.
• Lead communications for key initiatives, projects and events, including annual publicity planner activities.
• Draft, edit and quality-assure content for a wide range of audiences and platforms, including web, intranet, publications and stakeholder communications.
• Deliver communications training, workshops and engagement activities.

Media Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and national media.
• Lead on complex media enquiries, bids and issues, ensuring a timely, open and transparent response.
• Draft press releases, statements, key messages, Q&As and briefing materials.
• Facilitate media interviews and deliver media training for senior staff.
• Participate in an out-of-hours/on-call rota as required.

Support to Schools & Youth Services

• Provide communications, media and social media advice, guidance and training to schools and youth services.
• Support official openings, critical incidents and emergency communications responses.
• Develop resources and tailored workshops for principals, teachers, governors and youth service staff.
• Strengthen engagement with children, young people, parents/carers and partners, promoting confidence in EA’s work.

Internal & Digital Communications

• Support delivery of effective internal communications to engage and inform staff.
• Lead development of digital and social media content, including multimedia assets.
• Analyse digital and social media performance to improve reach and engagement.
• Contribute to social media strategy, policies and governance.

Leadership, Governance & Resources

• Line manage communications staff as required, setting objectives and supporting performance and development.
• Maintain communications systems, records and information management processes.
• Manage communications budgets in line with EA policies, procurement rules and value-for-money principles.
• Work collaboratively across Directorates and with external partners to deliver shared priorities.

Essential Criteria

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in Communications, Media, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or a related discipline or significant relevant professional experience.
• Substantial experience delivering strategic communications and media services in a complex organisation.
• Proven experience of developing and delivering communications strategies, plans and campaigns with measurable outcomes.
• Strong experience handling high-profile, sensitive and complex media issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality content for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrable experience of media relations, including press releases, briefings and interviews.
• Experience of digital and social media communications, including content creation and performance analysis.
• Ability to provide strategic advice to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Experience of working collaboratively across teams and with external partners.
• Strong organisational, project management and prioritisation skills.
• Experience of line management or providing professional guidance to staff.
• Understanding of communications best practice, governance and reputational risk management.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working in the public sector, education or a politically sensitive environment.
• Experience providing communications support directly to schools, youth services or community-based organisations.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

DE&I Commitment 

EANI guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".