Job Description
Job title
Reporting to (post)
Responsible for line
managing (posts)
Grade
Overall size of team
Department/section
Communications Officer
Communications Manager
No line management
Hours of work
Budgetary responsibility
and accountability
Post covers
35 hours per week, full time
Not accountable
Located at
Type of contract
Stratford
Fixed term to March 2016
Grade C of Mind’s salary scales
5 staff members
Time to Change Communications Team
England
Purpose of job
Time to Change is an ambitious programme to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with
mental health problems, and is a partnership between the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. The
programme is currently funded by the Department of Health, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund until
31 March 2016.
The one-year programme will focus on developing and supporting local and regional networks to run
anti-stigma activities across England and includes: a social marketing campaign; up-skilling and
empowering individual social leaders; and events and activities that bring together people with and
without experience of mental health problems (social contact). In addition, some targeted work will be
undertaken with the following audiences: employers and employees; children and young people; African
and Caribbean communities; and mental health professionals.
Communications work is vital to achieving Time to Change’s programme outcomes of major social
change in attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health problems. The Communications
team is part of the Time to Change Central Management Team and is responsible for raising the profile
of Time to Change and ensuring the issue of stigma and discrimination is high on the national agenda,
as well as engaging key audiences including supporters and stakeholders, and ensuring all
communications activity across the programme is planned to ensure maximum integration, impact and
value for money.
As Communications Officer, you will deliver internal and external communications for the programme as
a whole, and provide administrative support for the Communications function.
Scope of the job
You will report to the Communications Manager, who has responsibility for all internal and external
communications relating to the programme. As Communications Officer you will develop, implement
and evaluate high quality on and offline marketing communications. You will deliver engaging content
across print, email and online channels, deliver regular email marketing to Time to Change supporters,
develop and implement targeted communications plans to reach a range of key audiences, act as the
first point of contact for communications and branding enquiries, provide support for events and also
provide administrative support to the Communications function including maintaining databases. You will
also be responsible for internal communications, ensuring Time to Change staff are aware of key activity
within the programme.
You will be part of the Central Management Team for Time to Change and will also need to liaise with
colleagues across Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, evaluation providers, local Mind associations and
other organisations. You will work closely with the Senior Media Officer, Media Officer and Digital team,
as well as communicate with key high profile supporters and stakeholders, people with mental health
problems and carers, and journalists.
Mind aims to ensure that the needs and interests of mental health service users, women, black and
minority ethnic communities, disabled people, lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and people of
all ages are reflected in all its activities. You are expected to contribute to this aim.
Key responsibilities
1. Support the Communications Manager to develop and implement the annual communications plan
to ensure excellent communication within the programme and externally to supporters,
stakeholders, and the general public.
2. Research, write, edit, update and proof read a range of materials for both internal and external
audiences to ensure consistency and compliance with Time to Change’s branding, values, key
messages and style guidelines.
3. Liaise with external suppliers, distribute briefs and obtain quotes for specific pieces of work,
ensuring that best value is achieved for the work. To monitor and review agreements with
suppliers accordingly.
4. Produce and distribute high quality internal and external online and print newsletters, including
email newsletters.
5. Research and coordinate opportunities for raising the profile of Time to Change externally, including
speaking opportunities; conferences and exhibitions; awards entries; and contributions to external
publications.
6. Provide administrative support to the Communications function, including arranging meetings;
logging media coverage and maintaining press clippings files; and updating forward planning
schedules.
7.
Act as the first point of enquiry for information about Time to Change, communications and
branding queries internally and externally, including supplying logos and brand guidelines and
providing advice to colleagues and stakeholders on communications and branding issues as
appropriate.
8.
Support the Communications Manager to organise external launches and events, and internal
programme meetings and events.
9.
Maintain the Customer Relationship Management database, undertaking data entry, retrieval
and analysis to help the Communications Manager develop and schedule consistent targeted,
segmented and timely communications.
10.
Support the Digital team to update and edit the Time to Change website and provide social
media cover as needed.
11.
Maintain libraries of photos, videos and written case studies, ensuring these are used
appropriately and in accordance with best practice and project guidelines
12.
Liaise with bloggers, media volunteers, celebrities and champions as appropriate.
13.
As directed, represent Time to Change at meetings, conferences and events ensuring that
feedback is provided to line manager/relevant staff accordingly.
14.
Take responsibility for communications projects as delegated by the Communications Manager.
15.
To work an integrated way with all Time to Change staff and colleagues across the programme
to deliver an effective programme that meets the overall programme outcomes for change
amongst adults as well as children and young people and their families.
16.
Any other duties within overall scope of the job as may be determined from time to time.
EXPECTATIONS
1. To ensure all responsibilities and activities discharged within the post are consistent with the
terms and spirit of Mind’s policies
2. The post will be based in London but will be routinely expected to travel across England and
Wales and work outside normal working hours, including some overnight stays away from home
3. To work independently and make decisions as appropriate
4. To develop positive relationships with key stakeholders
5. To attend and contribute to team, departmental and other relevant internal meetings
6. To attend and contribute to the training, supervision and appraisal process
7. To abide by the principles of the Data Protection Act with regards to confidentiality and security of
Mind’s work as appropriate
8. To use the organisation’s resources effectively and efficiently
9. The nature of the post will require flexibility
10. To contribute towards making Mind a greener workplace
11. The post-holder will be expected to contribute to the out of hours social media service at
evenings and weekends.
12.
Mind
Person Specification: Communications Officer, Time to Change (Fixed Term)
Essential criteria
Experience
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Experience of working in a communications or marketing environment.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with demonstrable skills in being clear
and concise.
Experience of writing and editing highly engaging copy for different audiences and formats, and
to proof-read to an excellent standard.
Ability to develop and maintain systems, procedures and processes.
Experience of carrying out general administrative duties, including maintaining records and
handling queries.
Ability to work as part of a team and with other stakeholders in a collaborative way and using a
partnerships approach.
Good IT skills, including experience of using PowerPoint, databases and website content
management systems.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a wide range of people that may have different beliefs or
agendas.
Knowledge of branding principles and application in Communications work.
Relevant experience of organising events.
Ability to work proactively using own initiative, prioritise work and meet deadlines with welldeveloped time management skills.
Demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, Mind’s Policies.
Demonstrable understanding and commitment to Mind’s work, aims and objectives.
Desirable criteria
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Ability to use HTML at a basic level.
Ability to use Photoshop and InDesign at a basic level.
Experience of updating and monitoring social media sites.
Direct or indirect experience of mental health problems.
Understanding of the voluntary sector.
An understanding of Mind and its networks, or similar structures within the voluntary sector.