VOLUNTARY ACTION WALTHAM FOREST
Job Description
Title:
Part- time Information & Communications Officer
(14 hours per week)
Responsible to:
Coordinator, Waltham Forest LINk Host Organisation
Salary:
£30,991 inclusive of Outer London Weighting (pro rata
14hrs per week)
Length of
Contract
Initially up until March 2011, possible extension to March
2012
Line Management
Responsibilities: This post currently carries no line management responsibilities
Job Purpose:
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To contribute to the development and delivery of an appropriate,
comprehensive and accessible communications and information strategy
for Waltham Forest LINk.
To inform and support WF LINk members by using a range of media that
reflects local diversity including learning difficulties and sensory
impairment
To contribute to monitoring and reporting on LINk performance.
To ensure that communications and information about WF LINk and
health and social care is widely accessible and that the LINK is actively
promoted and publicised within the borough
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Information
 Take responsibility for the production, updating/ maintaining and
development WF LINk information services including: website,
promotional materials, e bulletins and e alerts, newsletter, briefings,
printed newsletters, directories, press releases, etc.
 Carry out interviews as part of the need to develop content for various
media as above.
 Disseminate, using the above media, appropriate information and policy
in formats and language that are accessible and relevant and to WF LINk
members.
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Develop and maintain relationships with media organisations and
information officers of partner organisations.
Research, and facilitate and coordinate joint responses to policy and
consultations impacting on WF LINk members and the wider community
Ensure that information distributed through all media is Equalities Act
2010 compliant as well as other good practice guidance.
Provide advice on data protection and confidentiality issues as required
Resources
 Create a bank of information about health and social care policy for the
LINk, including records of conference materials, etc
 Contribute to the develop and maintenance of a LINk reference library/
service
Monitoring and Reporting
 Contribute to the development and maintenance of appropriate systems
to capture data, statistics and narrative relating to LINK services and
activities
 Contribute in the production of LINk regular and yearly reports.
Planning
 Contribute to the development of a communications, marketing and
information strategy for the LINk.
 To convene and participate in an Information & Communications sub
group in order to develop, oversee and implement strategy.
 Contribute to the planning of LINk’s regular membership meetings,
events etc
 Identify opportunities to develop and update the Communications
Strategy and associated monitoring and reporting
Other
 Establish and agree a work plan and review this in light of WF LINk’s
delivery plans and strategies
 Contribute to support sub group activity as deemed appropriate
 Develop and maintain an accessible filing system relating to the role,
working closely with team members to ensure compatibility and
consistency
 Work in close collaboration with the LINk Coordinator and part time
Outreach Officer
 Work as part of the LINk team and participate in member and staff
development activities
 Be administratively self servicing with the help of computerised systems
 Actively participate in your own reviews and appraisal
 Identify and attend training courses as deemed appropriate
 Attend meetings and events, running stalls and giving presentations
 Undertake other duties as may be reasonably required within the general
terms of the job description
 Be prepared to work occasional out of office hours
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VOLUNTARY ACTION WALTHAM FOREST
Person Specification
LINk Information & Communications Officer
The person specification, where appropriate, links skills, knowledge and
experience directly to aspects of the job description. A test may include one or a
combination of those criteria marked * accordingly.
Application
Interview
Test/ Presentation
Essential / Desirable
Criteria Tested
At
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E
Good interpersonal skills and ability to inspire confidence
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E
Website development and management skills
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E
Confident/ competent use of IT including databases,
general and personalised postal and ‘e’ mailings
*Ability to devise and develop publicity materials.

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
E
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
E
Excellent literacy and numeric skills
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E
Knowledge and Understanding
Knowledge of data protection issues including the Data
Protection Act
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E
Understanding of the health and social care agendas ,
Local Involvement Networks (LINks) and of user
involvement issues.
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D
Familiarity with the London Borough of Waltham Forest profile, demographics and community groups
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D
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E
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Criteria
Skills and Abilities
* Excellent communication skills including: listening,
facilitating, liaison, presenting and providing information to
a wide range of audiences.
Good at organising workload and meeting deadlines
Experience
Experience of designing and delivering a communications
strategy
Experience of disseminating information using a variety of
methods -including the use of information technologies.
3
E
D
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Application
Interview
Test/ Presentation
Essential / Desirable
Criteria Tested
At
Involvement in creative aspects of website development
and day to day maintenance

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D
Extracting and manipulating information from databases,
preparing queries and reports.

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E
Experience of devising and preparing publicity materials
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E
Experience of developing and managing websites
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D
Data management -full working knowledge based on
experience
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D
Preparing press releases and working with the media
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E
Other Requirements
Commitment to tackling inequality and discrimination
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D
Able to work independently and a willing team member
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E
Able and willing to seek and receive support and guidance
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E
Relevant degree or equivalent qualification
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Training in IT -software, website development and
management, etc.
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
E
Evidence of ongoing personal development and training
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E
Prepared to work occasional evenings and weekends
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D
Must be legally entitled to work in the UK
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E
Able to undertake a CRB check
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E
Criteria
4
D