Senior Policy and Communications Officer

Working on behalf of a Local Authority, Aatom Recruitment has an excellent opportunity for a Senior Policy and Communications Officer on a 3 months contract with a possibility of an extension.

Main purpose of post

To actively contribute to a highly effective performance and communications service (with specific responsibility for Internal Communications) that enables the council to deliver its outcomes. Operating efficiently, using existing processes and procedures to advise deliver and manage a comprehensive work programme with a focus on continually improving and enhancing service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support, advice and information to a range of customers and organisations, responding to routine queries as well as non-routine issues and requests.
• Maintain a detailed knowledge and understanding of traded services, policy; performance or communications, and work to implement changes arising from new or amended legislation or professional practices, ensuring that the council’s processes are compliant with the appropriate regulatory and specialist requirements. Deliver an evidence-led approach to monitoring the impact of work activity.
• Represent the PO5s in relationships with stakeholders including senior colleagues, external partners and contractors, regulators and members as necessary, supporting the achievement of optimal outcomes for the council.
• Contribute to the delivery of Policy and Communications services to the council’s directorates and co-ordinate agreed outputs and outcomes to the directorates with colleagues across Policy and Communications.
• Support the delivery of the council’s long-term business strategy and plans, showing an awareness of complex factors and relationships including financial constraints, new legislation and government policy, sustainability and partnership opportunities.
• Contribute to reports that set out the policy, performance and communications implications of the council’s activity and provide a practical approach to these bodies around the way that this impacts on the council’s services.
• Deliver and monitor policy, performance and communications services to the highest professional standards and to input into the development and delivery of innovative solutions to support services in the context of a challenging public sector environment.
• Assess the effectiveness of existing approaches and recommend innovative enhancement practical improvements, taking into account research and evidence available to the council.
• Work colleagues to make sure that officers across the council have the necessary advice and information to enable them to fulfil their roles effectively in policy making, performance management and communications.
• Work without close managerial supervision (except in areas of particular technical complexity or sensitivity) with work subject to review on completion. Pro-actively identifying problem areas and work with the business to develop improvements to systems and supporting processes.
• To manage and develop more junior staff within own work area as necessary.
• To take responsibility for the development and implementation of own Personal Development Plan, and own continued professional development in those areas relevant to own role within LBL.
• To maintain an awareness of the risks to the department and the Council as a result of any actions associated with the work programme and to work with colleagues to manage and mitigate these risks.

Skills/Qualifications

• A relevant degree, profession qualification or relevant experience.
• Substantial experience of working with residents and citizens in a political environment.
• Understanding of partnership working across sectors, particularly with community and voluntary organisations
• Considerable experience delivering projects and programmes which include delivery of either policy, communications, consultations, events, performance and/or traded services.
• Experience of leading and delivering projects and programmes of work successfully o time, budget and quality expectations in a complex environment, involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience of leading teams outside of direct span of control to deliver successful programmes of work, having to use influence and negotiation to achieve outcomes.

To get more information about this role and how to apply please contact Anisha 07876556434.