ROYAL COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title
Media Officer
Department
Health Policy & Public Relations
Grade
6
Post Holder
Vacant
Responsible to
Media and Public Relations Manager
Liaison with
President, Officers, and RCOG spokespersons
Hours
35
The Department: e.g. structure / size of department, whether role is new, number of direct
reports etc.
The Department is responsible for formulating an effective, coherent and professional
approach to external communications and media relations. Staff are expected to be
advocates of women’s health by developing and managing PR and communications
programmes and activities aligned to the RCOG’s strategic aims and objectives. The
Department is staffed by: A Director, a PR manager and two new posts comprising of a PR
Officer and this Media Officer post.
Purpose: Describe the overall objective of the role and how it fits into the College
The post holder will report to the Media and Public Relations manager and will co-ordinate all
media relations and PR activities to provide news and public communications. The post holder
will position the RCOG as a key influencer and standard-setter in women’s health and the
medical profession; contribute to the development of proactive and reactive strategies to
promote the work of the RCOG and the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology. The post
holder will also be responsible for communicating the RCOG’s international development
initiatives and work with the new Global Health department.
Main Duties: Outline areas of responsibility

To function as the senior press officer and manage all incoming media queries.

To communicate effectively with key audiences: the media, RCOG members, O&G
doctors and trainees; other stakeholders in the charity and not-for-profit sectors; and
the wider public.

To engage in news monitoring and produce daily media briefings, regular media
summaries and media evaluation reports.

To pitch positive RCOG stories and provide informed comment on issues to the media
in an appropriate and timely manner.

To inform the media prospectively of forthcoming events such as the publication of
important reports and meetings.

To draft RCOG press releases and statements, supervised by the Media and Public
Relations Manager.

To raise awareness of high quality, peer-reviewed quality research in the field of
obstetrics and gynaecology by promoting articles published in BJOG and TOG.

To publicise and promote, when required, relevant RCOG Global Health initiatives and
events.

To organise interviews, briefings, photo calls and press conferences when necessary.

To build and maintain a network media spokespersons drawn from RCOG
membership.

To organise media training for RCOG spokespersons.

To assist and advise RCOG members about media issues.

To attend relevant Committee meetings, particularly the Global Health Board.

To work with the Media and Public Relations Manager to produce the RCOG monthly
member email newsletter.

To provide support for internal communications activities.

To be involved in covering media calls to the out-of-hours press office number.

Other duties compatible with employment may be given by the Director and Media
and Public Relations Manager.
Note: This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and
responsibilities change and develop the job description will be reviewed and be subject to
amendment in consultation with the job holder.
Signed by:
Date:
ROYAL COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications / Training
Essential / Desirable
Graduate in life/social sciences, the humanities or equivalent.
Postgraduate degree in PR or a professional qualification in PR.
Essential
Desirable
Previous Experience
Demonstrable relevant experience working in media relations.
Experience of working in a busy press office or in-house PR
department.
Experience of working in the Department of Health, NHS/medical
organisation or a charity.
Experience of working in international development PR.
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Desirable
Key Skills / Attributes
Ability to convey information clearly in both oral and written form.
Ability to deal with controversial/ethical issues in a sensitive
manner.
Willingness to undertake a wide variety of tasks.
Flexible approach.
Able to work effectively under pressure and to juggle competing
priorities.
Good organisational and IT skills.
Ability to work within and as part of a busy team.
Ability to take initiative and to work independently on projects.
Professional and well presented
Knowledge of social media
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Other Requirements
Understanding of how the media works.
Excellent press and media relations skills.
An understanding of strategic planning in PR.
An understanding of international development PR.
An understanding of the role of advocacy in PR.
An understanding of health policy formulation.
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable