Senior Press Officer
- Civil Service
- Full Time
- London
- 47,049
Job Description
Job summary
Information about the Command
The Strategy Directorate drives NCA strategic mission through rigorous intelligence insights, performance insights, risk management and communications. We shape priorities and build influence across government, law enforcement and the public.
Information about the Business Area
Communications plays a vital role in promoting and supporting NCA activity. We use our communications channels as an operational tool to disrupt serious and organised crime. Communications manage the Agency relationship with media outlets and journalists, issuing media releases and statements as well as interviews with Agency spokespersons. The team commission targeted audience research, developing, implementing, and evaluating marketing strategies for awareness raising or behaviour change. Communications lead a range of projects, channels and events to increase leadership visibility and boost Officer engagement.
Job description
The Senior Press Officer role provides an exciting opportunity to join the NCAs high performing Communications Team.
You will use your knowledge of the media and skills as a professional communicator to build public and partner awareness of serious and organised crime, and confidence in the NCAs response. Your work will also help to build the Agencys intelligence picture of the most serious and complex crime threats facing the UK, and to disrupt the criminals presenting the greatest risk.
This is a full time role but we can consider flexibility in working hours to support a work-life balance that can be discussed upon offer
The role of senior press officer is to engage with the media to inform the public and other identified audiences about the work of the NCA, to protect and improve our reputation, while also supporting the NCAs mission of protecting the public from serious and organised crime.
As part of the wider communications team within the NCAs Strategy Directorate, the press office is responsible for handling reactive queries from the media as well as proactive communications to promote the work of the Agency.
The Communications Team, which includes media, digital, internal comms, and campaigns specialists, work closely together and with a variety of internal and external partners to land our messages with target audiences.
The teams activity has contributed directly to the capture of wanted international fugitives, the safeguarding of vulnerable people, and widespread public action to mitigate crime threats.
Duties & Responsibilities
Promote the NCA - Showcase the NCAs unique role in UK law enforcement by delivering engaging, proactive stories on NCA activity, and working up ideas for content that supports communication objectives.
Professionalism - Provide a professional service for journalists by managing high-profile and sensitive media issues and answering enquiries in a timely and informative manner, including on an out-of-hours rotational basis.
Advise NCA officers on the media - Become a trusted source of communications support and counsel for NCA officers.
Build knowledge of the NCA - Develop expertise on the NCAs wide remit and range of functions.
Engage across communications disciplines - Work with expert colleagues across the communications team including digital, internal and campaigns - to share knowledge and maximise the impact of content across all audiences.
Build relationships - Develop and nurture excellent relationships with journalists and contacts (e.g. bloggers) in all forms of media, to improve story placement and check progress.
Media handling - Demonstrate techniques and strategies for handling journalists, respond quickly to media requests and agree points of escalation.
Audience - Understand how to optimise audience reach through a mix of media channels.
Person specification
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Insight - Use insight to identify target audiences and stakeholders, support decision making and help inform the overall communication approach.
Engaging your audience - Communicate in a succinct and engaging manner using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact to a range of stakeholders.
Communication skills - Demonstrate an ability to express ideas effectively, flexibly and creatively, both verbally and with strong writing skills, to develop innovative solutions.
Processing information - Demonstrate an ability to process complex information to produce effective content or recommendations.
Experience - Demonstrate solid experience of working in a busy press office or other news-focused environment where you used your communicating and influencing skills to deliver at pace while demonstrating awareness of the bigger picture.
On-call working
Officers take part in the on‑call rota covering evenings and weekends, with an allowance paid per session and enhanced pay for any work undertaken (x1.5 weekdays, x2 weekends).
Desirable Criteria
Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.
Industry recognised communication qualification (such as CIPR) or equivalent
Experience of working in a busy press office or an equivalent track record of being able to multitask in a fast paced role that requires engaging with external stakeholders about the organisations' work.
