JOB TITLE: Public Relations Assistant

LOCATION: Diocesan Office, St. Nicholas Church, Boley Hill, Rochester

GRADE: Grade 4

REPORTING TO: The Director of Communications

PURPOSE OF JOB

Work as part of a small communications team that supports the parishes as they seek to engage with their local community and supports the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) teams to ensure an integrated and professional communications engagement across the diocese and nationally.

Assist the Diocesan Director of Communications in achieving the aims of the Communications Team providing professional public relations support, administrative support and undertaking such other duties as may be necessary.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Write and distribute press releases with appropriate images

2. Produce copy for website, social media and diocesan publications

3. Be responsible for diocesan Social Media as required

4. Write and prepare articles for the Diocesan publication(s)

5. Arrange press conferences as required

6. Arrange media facility visits as required

7. Take photographs when required

8. Deliver communications training

9. Distribute publications

10. Encourage parishes, clergy and diocesan personnel to share “good news” stories

11. Assist parishes in the publicity of new initiatives

12. Take responsibility, when required, for the page layout of diocesan publications

13. When appropriate, respond to media enquiries

14. When appropriate, advise diocesan personnel, clergy and parishes on dealing with media enquiries

15. Build good relationships with media contacts

16. Maintain regional and national media contact database

17. Assist parishes in the publicity of new initiatives

18. Actively promote the work and mission of the diocese in local, regional and national media

ADMINISTRATION

1. Organise and deliver the Clergy Mailing

2. Maintain filing systems

3. Attend diocesan meetings when required

4. Maintain the diocesan email lists and email addresses

5. Organise training events as necessary

6. Prepare PowerPoint presentations

7. Prepare printed and electronic training documents

8. Be a member of the Communications duty rota

9. Undertake any additional projects from time to time, as directed by the Director of Communications

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar PR role An appropriate Chartered Institute of Public Relations qualification or

equivalent Excellent written English and the necessary skills to write high quality

press releases A motivated individual who is highly adaptable and resilient, with a

proactive approach to work Able to work independently with minimal guidance and as part of a team Experience and understanding of social media

A working knowledge of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Prezi

Experience of designing marketing material Has own transport and full UK driving licence, is able to travel to the

parishes within the Diocese of Rochester Able to work flexible hours outside normal office hours when required.

Please note, out-of-hours working is a requirement of this role Must be comfortable working under pressure to meet tight deadlines Must be comfortable working in front of an audience for example, running

a news conference or a training event. Must have access to vehicle/own transport. As the post holder will, at times, be the public face of the diocese, the

successful candidate must feel able to support the Diocesan Ethos Statement and uphold the teaching and the current guidelines of the Church of England.

COMPETENCIES

Achievement Drive – A concern for working well. A desire to take action; doing more than required; doing it before it is required. It includes staying focused on goals over an extended period of time.

Relationships – The ability to understand the perspectives, feelings and concerns of others and build or maintain relationships with people.

Persuasiveness – The ability to convince others of a view, conclusion, position etc.

Thinking Ability – The ability to breakdown a problem or situation into its component parts, identifying implications and the key underlying issues.

Independence – A demonstrated belief in one’s capability to select an appropriate approach to a situation. It includes confidence in one’s judgement or opinion and the ability to handle failure effectively.

Adaptability – The ability to adapt to and work with a variety of situations, individuals or groups.

Teamworking – The willingness and ability to work co-operatively and collaboratively with others.