ACTION MEDICAL RESEARCH
JOB DESCRIPTION
Research Communications Officer Job title:
Department:
Working base:
Hours:
Communications
Head Office, Vincent House, Horsham
35 per week
Reporting to:
Working relationships:
Director of Communications
Journalists and others in the media, medical researchers, doctors and case studies, freelance photographers and suppliers, the communications team and fundraising and research colleagues.
Job purpose
1.
To develop communications (plans and messages) for research areas and projects funded by the charity.
2.
To develop research communication resources/packages for staff to use
(especially fundraisers) to help promote the vital need for medical research and support for this to their audiences.
3.
To write compelling news and feature stories about the charity’s medical research and to publicise these stories in the media and in fundraising and supporter communications.
4.
To act as the charity’s focal point for media activity on medical research and to nurture productive relationships with journalists and researchers.
Main tasks
1.
To develop a strategy and plans for publicising the charity’s medical research to optimise media coverage, with the Director of Communications.
Research Communications Officer
October 2014
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2.
To develop communication packages of research which can be used by staff to communicate with their audiences.
3.
To oversee and manage daily interactions on Action’s central Twitter and
Facebook accounts and develop relevant tweets and posts as part of areas of work being promoted by the charity.
4.
To be an internal ambassador for information about Action’s research, where to find it and how to use it.
5.
To research and write newsworthy stories (which secure media coverage) that show the value of the medical research funded by the charity, liaising extensively with doctors, researchers and case study families.
6.
To develop and maintain strong relationships with medical, health and science journalists across key national, regional and specialist media, and to respond to press enquiries about the work of Action Medical Research.
7.
To build and maintain strong links with Action Medical Research funded researchers, as a way of enhancing PR opportunities around the work funded by the charity.
8.
To manage the delivery of publicity briefings (and final reports) written on each new piece of research funded by the charity and to make these available on the
Action website.
9.
To develop and manage relationships with case study families and write copy for research stories, following the charity’s policy on case studies.
10.
To write copy for the charity’s website, magazine, Research Review and other communications materials.
11.
To maintain a watching brief on medical news and alert the Director of
Communications and senior management team on areas on interest.
12.
Prepare briefings for members of staff acting as spokespeople.
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General
1.
To work as an integral member of the communications team, providing support to other areas of communications work as required, as requested by the
Director of Communications.
2.
To support the Chief Executive on communications issues in the absence of the
Communications Director.
3.
To be prepared to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, and to travel to events when appropriate.
4.
To act as part of an out-of-hours media on-call team.
5.
To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the charity’s medical and fundraising activities and of the medical, health and charity sectors.
6.
To keep abreast of the latest professional developments and to undertake training as required.
7.
To undertake other duties of a compatible nature that may be required by the
Director of Communications.
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Person specification
1.
Appreciation of the communications needs of a medical research fundraising charity.
2.
Experience of copy writing for a range of audiences; proven ability to write about complex issues clearly and effectively.
3.
Interest in medicine and child health issues, with the ability to understand scientific terminology and research outcomes.
4.
Science degree and/or significant experience in communications within a medical environment.
5.
Experience of creating content for and using social media channels for PR purposes.
6.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, updating websites, developing content and uploading this content (including images and video) to online sites/social media channels (eg You Tube, Facebook).
7.
Ability to prioritise competing tasks, manage a busy work load, work quickly and deliver to deadline.
8.
Good team player and communicator, with proven experience of building working relationships with a wide range of people.
9.
Good knowledge of UK national and regional print, broadcast and online media, especially the healthcare/science correspondents and specialist medical press.
10.
Proven experience of developing and delivering national media stories and working with print and broadcast journalists as well as consumer publications/ online channels and specialist medical press.
11.
Sensitivity and tact when dealing with families affected by medical conditions.
Research Communications Officer
October 2014
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