Communications Assistant (Maternity Cover) Job Information Pack April 2021 - CommunityNI
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Communications Assistant (Maternity Cover) Job Information Pack April 2021
CONTENTS
WELCOME 3
OUR STORY 4
WHAT WE DO 5
OUR VISION, MISSION AND VALUES 6
OUR STRATEGY 7
HOW WE'RE ORGANISED 8
JOB DESCRIPTION 9
PERSON SPECIFICATION 11
HOW TO APPLY 14
TIMELINE 15
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 2
WELCOME
Dear Candidate In this information pack you can find out
more about becoming part of team
AWARE. Our organisation lives by the
Thank you for your interest in the post of values of:
Communications Assistant with AWARE. This
is an exciting time for AWARE! We are in a • Dignity, respect and empathy - We will
strong position to promote awareness of treat each other and our service users with
common mental health issues and dignity, respect and empathy
information on depression specifically. The
role of the Communications Assistant plays • Integrity, professionalism and
an important role in assisting with the transparency - We are committed to the
communications plan for the organisation highest standards of professionalism,
and delivering on our campaigns. honesty and openness in all aspects of our
work
Our Communications Department is a key
part of the organisation, working with other • Innovation and Excellence - We are
departments to promote our services and committed to providing high quality
programmes as well as running brand services and to being innovative for the
awareness campaigns to further the reach benefit of people using our services
and impact of AWARE.
These are the values that guide everything
We are keen to recruit and develop people we do. We are a user-led organisation
who are passionate, positive and enthusiastic which prizes our volunteers and partners
about their role within the organisation and and seeks to work to the highest
about supporting people affected by standards.
depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
We believe this is what makes AWARE a
great place to work.
I would like to thank you for your interest in
joining team AWARE and we look forward
to receiving your application.
Karen Collins
Chief Executive
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 3
OUR STORY
AWARE is the depression charity for Northern Ireland.
AWARE was established in
Northern Ireland in 1996. We are
the only charity in Northern Ireland
dedicated exclusively to raising
awareness of depression as a
serious mental health illness and
enabling people with depression or
bipolar disorder to access support
to help them with their condition.
A Derry-born charity, we now have
two offices; one in Derry/Londonderry
and a second office in Belfast.
AWARE was founded by people with personal experience of bipolar disorder and depression,
of the negative impact this has on people's on their lives and of the lack of understanding
and support available in the community at that time. They were driven by a passion to
ensure that others should not suffer as they did. This user‐led ethos remains a key driver of
AWARE's work and the majority of our volunteers and staff bring to the organisation the
unique insight of personal experience.
At AWARE, we believe that the people who
use our services should have a say in how
they are developed and delivered, so we
employ people with experience of
depression at every level in the
organisation, including the Board of
Trustees.
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 4
WHAT WE DO
AWARE provides a wide range of services INTERACTIVE PHONE, WEBSITE AND
for individuals and groups, so we've just EMAIL SERVICE
listed some of the key ones here. You'll Aimed at those directly affected, or those
find a lot more information on our website that care for them, these email and phone
at aware-ni.org. services offer support and information
about issues relating to depression,
anxiety, and bipolar disorder. We actively
SUPPORT GROUPS listen to any concerns or questions a
AWARE has an established network of 25 service user might have and identify the
support groups in rural and urban areas most appropriate options for them at that
across the country, which are run by our time, informing him or her of appropriate,
trained volunteers. Support groups alternative services available within AWARE
welcome people with depression and and externally.
bipolar disorder as well as carers for
people with the illness. We also deliver
INFORMATION BOOKLETS AND
Information Outreach sessions and attend
community events to give more FACTSHEETS
information about AWARE and our All of our services are supported by
services. carefully designed guidance delivered in
printed booklets, factsheets and made
available online. These valuable resources
EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES are tailored to individual groups, carers,
AWARE delivers mental health and well volunteers and fundraisers including
being programmes into communities, sector-leading fundraising kits.
schools, colleges, universities and
workplaces. These programmes include
our suite of Mood Matters programmes,
Living Life to the Full, Mental Health First
Aid and Mindfulness. We offer a range of
resources tailored to the particular mental
health challenges faced by children and
young people. Some of these involve
engaging directly with schools, as well as
providing pathways for individuals.
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 5
OUR VISION, MISSION
AND VALUES
From the first support group set up in Derry just over 25 years ago, AWARE
has grown in strength and diversity. We are now one of the leading mental
health charities in Northern Ireland but we know there are still challenges to
meet and exciting opportunities to develop.
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 6
OUR STRATEGY
You can click here to download a pdf version of our 2019-2024 strategy, but we've included our key aims from it on this page.
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 7
HOW WE'RE ORGANISED
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 8
JOB DESCRIPTION
Communications Assistant
Location: Belfast Office of AWARE
Reports to: Head of Corporate Services
Duration of Contract: Full time Temporary (Maternity Cover 9-12 Months)
Hours per Week: 36
Salary: £21,583
About the Role
The role will be focused on assisting with the delivery of AWARE’s communications and marketing
plans and campaigns. This role would suit an individual with strong communications skills who is
looking for an opportunity to develop their experience and build their portfolio within the
communications and marketing department of an exciting and fast-growing charity. The successful
applicant will work closely with the Communications Officer and team members from other
departments to promote our services and programmes through a variety of channels, including
digital platforms.
The main focuses of the post will be
• Assisting with communications and marketing campaigns to expand our current profile
• Updating our website as a key source of engagement and information
• Producing copy for digital and written materials
• Creating engaging content for social media to promote our services and programmes
Key Responsibilities
• Writing engaging and informative copy for website, social media posts, blog posts,
newsletters and other materials as required.
• Updating AWARE’s website using CMS to ensure it is interactive, engaging, up-to-date and
SEO friendly.
• Creating professional, eye-catching and brand-consistent visual assets for social media
using Canva.
• Scheduling social media posts across all platforms using Hootsuite.
• Monitoring, analysing and reporting on social media and website analytics using Google
Analytics and Social Media Insight Tools.
• Assisting with co-ordination of design and print work with external graphic design agencies.
• Drafting engaging and informative press releases to be sent out to media contacts.
• Working with videographers to create engaging video content for use across social media
channels.
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 9• Working in liaison with the Fundraising Communications Assistant to assist them with
promoting fundraising activities where required.
• Coming up with ideas for creative campaigns to promote AWARE and increase our profile
and brand awareness.
• Participating in regular meetings with the communications team and other staff members to
discuss and deliver on the communications needs of the organisation.
• Responding to social media enquiries from our supporters, fundraisers and service users
and where required, sending information or directing them to other team members.
• Responding to press and media enquiries and assisting with setting up interviews with staff
and service users to promote AWARE.
• Assisting with planning and delivery of events such as AWARE's annual Investors in Mental
Health Awards.
• Protecting AWARE's brand and ensuring the brand guidelines are adhered to, acting as a
‘brand guardian’ ensuring consistency across all internal and external communications.
• Undertaking administrative duties such as record-keeping, gathering of mental health
statistics and tracking social media performance & press coverage.
The above lists are not exclusive or exhaustive and the post-holder will be required to undertake
such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. All staff are
required to be professional, co-operative and flexible in line with the needs of the post and the
organisation.
Staff representatives of AWARE are expected to treat all those with whom they come in contact with
courtesy and respect.
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 10PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. Qualifications
A third level qualification in a communications, marketing, journalism, or PR
Essential
related discipline OR three years’ experience in a similar field
2. Experience
1 years’ relevant experience (communications, PR, marketing,
media). This may be in a voluntary or employed capacity.
Demonstrable experience of producing written
communications such as newsletters, blog posts or website content.
Essential
Experience of working as part of a team and of interacting with
the public.
Desirable Experience in using a CMS to manage and edit websites
Experience of contributing to an organisation's social media output
Experience of working with press, securing features in N.I publications &
briefing team members before interviews with journalists.
3. Skills, knowledge and abilities
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact successfully
with a broad range of people
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Essential
Strong attention to detail
Good time keeping and organisational skills with an ability to prioritise and
manage workload to meet deadlines
Proficiency in using a range of computer packages including Email & MS
Office, particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel and social media platforms
(Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn)
Ability to work as a key member of a team
Ability to work independently when required and use own initiative
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 11Demonstrable knowledge of the work of AWARE and mental
Desirable health in Northern Ireland
Awareness of and sensitivity to why people choose to
support AWARE
4. Personal style and behaviour
Confident and outgoing
Self-motivated and a strong ability to plan your own work
Commitment to the values of the organisation, policies & procedures
& standards of conduct
Willing to undertake relevant on the job and external training as
required
Commitment to the work of the organisation
Essential
Be open minded, non-judgemental and have a willingness to
question own attitudes
Ability to empathise with service users regardless of race, gender,
age, religion, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or
disability
5. Other
Willingness to work flexibly including evening and weekend work
Essential Willingness to travel across the region
Access to a car or other means of transport to fulfil the travel
requirements of the role
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 12WHAT WE OFFER YOU
We want to take care of our staff and value their contribution. As a community-based charity
AWARE can offer employees
• a competitive salary
• 25 holidays (raising to 28 days with service) + 11 statutory days
• travel mileage
• 3% pension contribution
• laptop and mobile phone provision (if appropriate)
• support and supervision to excel in your role
• staff team building away days
• a comprehensive induction programme
• team meetings
• access to the Employee Assistance Programme
• Childcare Vouchers Scheme
• reasonable paid time off to attend appointments
• an enjoyable workplace for our team
We seek to be a family-friendly employer. We recognise the challenges of balancing your
work and personal life and this can be a particular challenge if you have a young family or
caring responsibilities. Our policies have been agreed to seek to give flexibility where
possible and to offer compassion and sensitivity.
Key to this we would highlight that in the case of an advertised full time post we will be
happy to consider requests for job shares. In some cases compressed hours or reduced
hours contracts may be possible. For part time roles there may be an opportunity for some
flexibility on the hours/days of work. All requests seek to balance the needs of the
organisation and of individual staff.
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 13HOW TO APPLY
Please complete the Application Form and Equal Oppurtunities Monitoring Form for this role,
ensuring you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers, as well as any dates
when you will not be available or might have difficulty with from the recruitment timeline.
The deadline is Noon on Wednesday 5th May 2021. Applications should be made by email to:
linda@aware-ni.org
Contact Linda Wade on linda@aware-ni.org if you have any queries about the role or the
application process.
Equality Monitoring and Criminal Convictions Disclosure
Along with the Application Form, you will be asked to complete and return the Equal Opportunities
Monitoring and Criminal Convictions Disclosure Form. Neither of these will be disclosed to anyone
involved in shortlisting your application.
Disability
In accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act, a person is disabled if they have, or have had,
“a physical or mental impairment which has, or has had, a substantial and long term adverse effect
on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities”.
If you consider yourself to have a disability relevant to the position for which you are applying,
please contact Linda Wade so that we can process your application fairly, make any specific
arrangements for your interview, and make any necessary reasonable adjustments or adaptations,
or provide any aids to assist you in completing the duties of the post if appointed.
Equal Opportunities
AWARE is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications for employment are considered
strictly on the basis of merit.
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 14TIMELINE
Application Form with Equality Monitoring and Noon, Wednesday 5th May 2021
Criminal Convictions sections to be submitted
Interviews Week beginning Monday 17th May 2021
AWARE is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications for employment are considered strictly on the
basis of merit.
AWARE Communications Assistant Information Pack 15Please address any enquiries relating to the Enquiries unrelated to this recruitment can be
advertised position, and your submission, to: addressed by email to:
Linda Wade info@aware-ni.org
AWARE BELFAST OFFICE
40-44 Duncairn Gardens
Email: linda@aware-ni.org Belfast BT15 2GG
www.aware-ni.org DERRY/LONDONDERRY OFFICE
15 Queen Street
Derry BT48 7EQ
AWARE has been registered with the Charity
Commission for N. Ireland NIC100561 and is a
company limited by guarantee NI030447You can also read
