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RDMCC – Media Relations Officer Job Description and Person Specification May 2016

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Job Description & Person Specification

Media Relations Officer (Permanent)

1. Key facts

Hours: Part time 0.7-0.8 FTE (24.5-28 hours per week) excluding lunchtime Location: RDMCC office, Montague House, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP6 6AA Responsible to: Head of Fundraising and Marketing.

2. Salary and Benefits

a) Grade D - Senior Officer: £30,046 (pro rata) b) 6% contribution to group personal pension plan. c) 28 days holiday per year plus public holidays, including three days when the office is closed over

the Christmas period (when holiday time must be taken). d) Supportive and positive working environment. e) Good opportunities for learning and development. f) Flexible working hours.

3. Background Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity is at an exciting stage in its development. 2016 marks not only 100 years of Roald Dahl, but also the charity’s 25th anniversary. As we continue to expand our work in paediatric nursing and get underway with some major corporate partnerships, we now have an opportunity to create the charity’s first dedicated media relations role. We hope to be joined by someone who can shape the role and help us to significantly raise the profile of our work for 2016 and beyond.

4. Purpose of Role

To raise awareness of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and its growing network of Roald Dahl children’s nurses supporting seriously ill children across the UK. Liaising with media, developing and stewarding a core group of charity beneficiaries to deliver a pipeline of new case stories for media use, and coordinating film and photography content to promote both the charity’s core work in paediatric nursing and to celebrate fundraising achievements and partnerships.

5. Scope of Role

This role has three main areas of focus. The percentages given below are approximate and the postholder’s work rhythm will vary from week to week and month to month: a. Media liaison 60% b. Content development 30% c. External communications 10%

6. Breakdown of Duties

a. Media Liaison 60%

i. Develop new pitch ideas and strategy to increase media coverage for the charity

ii. Identify target audiences and lists for campaign coverage


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iii. Cultivate relationships with journalists and members of the media iv. Work with nurse project leaders to develop individual project media plans v. Prepare and manage news releases

vi. Respond to media enquiries and prepare media statements vii. Brief charity staff and representatives before interview or media appearances

viii. Stay informed about, and keep the team informed about, current events and celebrity news ix. Arrange photocalls and media support for events x. Solicit free placement for print and online advertisements

xi. Track and analyse results of media pitch activity xii. Maintain contacts database, press clippings and other relevant files

xiii. Work closely with members of fundraising team to provide media support to fundraising initiatives, including the annual Dahlicious Dress Up Day and various corporate partnerships

xiv. Provide media support the policy and programmes team xv. Assist the Head of Fundraising and Marketing in the management of celebrity supporters

and Patrons

b. Content Development 30%

i. Maintain and develop a library of beneficiary case studies, including written stories, photography, film and audio files

ii. Develop a contact list of families to be spokespeople for the charity iii. Liaise with external agencies including film makers and photographers to generate new

content iv. Coordinate/conduct family and nurse interviews v. Work closely with the Data protection officer to ensure relevant permissions are sought and

kept up to date vi. Liaise with hospitals’ and other partners’ PR teams to ensure consistency of messaging and

collaborative approach to press announcements vii. Ensure a pipeline of stories is prepared and edited for a variety of purposes, including social

media, blog, supporter newsletter and donor reports

c. External communication 10%

i. Work with colleagues across the Roald Dahl family of organisations to ensure consistent and complementary approach to media and messaging

ii. Support the fundraising and marketing team to keep website, social media and other digital channels up to date, deputising where necessary for the Senior Marketing Officer

iii. Represent the charity at external events and conferences

7. Key Relationships The postholder will have contact with a wide range of people, and will be required to be friendly, professional, helpful and sensitive. Relationships include:

i) Journalists and other media representatives ii) Donors and supporters iii) Staff iv) Volunteers v) Trustees vi) Suppliers including freelancers vii) Managers and staff of the Roald Dahl Literary Estate LLP (the company managing the

Roald Dahl copyrights) and the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre (our sister charity)


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8. Other Information

1) This job description helps the postholder to understand her/his main duties. It is not exhaustive and the role’s duties may change from time to time, in discussion with the post holder and consistent with the level of responsibility appropriate to the grade of the post.

2) Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Confirmation of appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service report.

3) The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a three month probationary period.

4) Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity is committed to achieving the highest standards of service and employment practice. We give equal opportunity to everyone, regardless of background. While our offices are not currently accessible for people with significant mobility difficulties we will make all reasonable adjustments to allow the most suitable candidate to perform their role effectively.

5) Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity believes it is essential that employees are able to balance their life at work with their life outside work, which is why we offer flexible working practices and particularly recognise the needs of employees with caring responsibilities.

6) Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity operates a no-smoking policy. The post holder should either be a non-smoker or be prepared not to smoke in any Charity premises, grounds or vehicles or when on Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity business outside the office.

7) The postholder will be required to travel within the UK, for example to visit hospitals, meet families for interview or attend events in other parts of the country, up to 24 times a year. This may very occasionally require overnight stays, though with advance notice. The postholder may also be required to undertake occasional evening and weekend work when, for example, we hold events or a key media appearance is scheduled. The charity operates a time off in lieu policy.


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9. Person Specification

Attribute Essential (E) Desirable (D)

Experience

A strong track record of working within the media sector, and understanding of how to build relationships with diverse range of media

E

At ease dealing with the broadcast and print press and media, and a thorough understanding of the needs and workings of national and local media.

E

Experience of devising and delivering new media strategies for a variety of projects

E

Experience working in the field of children’s health D

Experience of managing digital campaigns and social media D

Experience of using a contact management database D

Skills

Media savvy & persuasive – able to “sell in” stories to a range of media in order to maximise coverage

E

Excellent written communication skills with the ability to position stories relative to different audiences

E

Highly organised with excellent attention to detail E

The time management skills to work under pressure, to prioritise and to meet deadlines

E

Good computer skills within an MS Office environment, and an ability and willingness to work remotely as required

E

Excellent interpersonal and team working skills, with an ability to understand and interact with colleagues across several disciplines

E

Multimedia skills – able to produce/edit film and images at short notice D

Personal qualities

A commitment to upholding the ethos and reputation of the charity, recognising its close relationships with other Roald Dahl organisations

E

Self-motivated and target driven with ability to work independently, using own initiative

E

Diplomatic and empathetic, able to communicate sensitively with beneficiary families and handle sensitive information with consideration

E

Creative approach to problem solving E

A willingness to travel across the UK and work out of office hours if required

E

Knowledge

Comprehensive up-to-date understanding of media and PR developments E

Knowledge of the charity sector and awareness of current issues E

Awareness of the unique challenge of working within a family of organisations/brands

D

Knowledge of children’s disability or health charities D

Familiarity with the work of Roald Dahl D

Qualifications


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A degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline, with further professional qualification welcome

D

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