Communications Advisor

MAIN DUTIES

Visual and Audio Production

Develop a steady supply of high-quality visual and audio content to support the Housing Executive’s digital communications strategy for a variety of audiences, including a combination of video, audio, animation, multimedia, interactive design, motion graphics, and photography, to drive website, social channel, and internal digital platform content and engagement.

Deliver video, audio, and photography production and editing, including planning a shoot, liaising with colleagues, stakeholders, and interviewees, as well as sourcing venues.

Provide video, audio, and photographic support for Housing Executive events, projects, initiatives, and campaigns.

Provide digital communications support and advice to colleagues across the organisation.

Maintain all rich media content on Housing Executive social media channels and website. Part of this role requires an understanding of relevant technical issues and collaborative working with colleagues in IT and external providers.

Identify software and hardware equipment requirements to ensure optimum quality of content output is achieved and maintained.

Work with colleagues within the Communications Department to assist in the development and production of integrated, multi-channel digital campaigns and content plans.

Work with the Digital Communications Team to advise on and develop innovative and engaging content to support social media channel objectives.

Compile insights from analytics and user journey testing to continuously review and improve Housing Executive digital communications.

Monitor new digital trends and techniques and develop new approaches to ensure Housing Executive digital communications are delivered in an innovative and effective way.

Maintain brand and message consistency across Housing Executive social media channels and website.

Create and maintain a library of Housing Executive visual and audio assets (video, animation, photography, multimedia, and audio).

Support the digital communications team.

Work using own initiative to meet defined deadlines set by line manager.

Collaborate with external partners to create visual and audio assets for partnership digital campaigns.

Share skills and devise relevant training for colleagues and team members.

General

Prepare appropriate business cases, tenders, and quotations in line with financial and procurement regulations, policies, procedures, and corporate timescales.

Provide a high level of internal and external customer service, resolving customer queries and complaints and following issues through to completion.

Ensure continued effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Represent the Senior Communications Advisor (Social Media and Digital Content) as required and provide support and cover for other Communications Advisors across the Corporate Communications Departments to ensure resilience as far as practicable.

Undertake duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of NIHE.

Comply with and enforce all NIHE frameworks, policies, and procedures, including, but not limited to, those relating to legal requirements such as equality, health and safety, and information governance.

Direct and signpost managers and officers to the appropriate source for issues outside the remit of this post.

Undertake project work as directed by the Head of Corporate Communications, using the principles of good project management and in line with the NIHE approach as detailed by the Programme Management Office.

Participate as directed in NIHE Resourcing activity in line with NIHE Resourcing Policies and Procedures and manage and develop staff in line with the NIHE agreed performance management framework.

Keep up to date with the latest developments in audio and visual production best practice.

Undertake any other duties which may be assigned to meet organisational needs and the change agenda, which are reasonably regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities, and grade of the post as defined.

Note: This summary of responsibilities and personal duties is not intended to be exhaustive. This role will develop and change in line with strategic corporate programmes and projects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Applicants must provide evidence by the closing date for application that they meet the following essential criteria:

Possess a degree or equivalent level qualification (Level 6*) in a relevant subject and a minimum of one year’s experience in the creation and production of high-quality film, photography, and audio content for digital and social media channels. It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate equivalency.

Refer to Qualifications Framework for equivalencies

OR

Can demonstrate a minimum of three years’ experience in the creation and production of high-quality film, photography, and audio content for digital and social media channels, and can demonstrate continued professional development, including the attainment of relevant learning and qualifications.

Can demonstrate significant relevant experience in each of the following areas:

a) Experience in creating visual/audio content for use in digital campaigns.

b) Experience in photography suitable for use on a wide range of platforms, from print to online.

c) Experience in providing creative direction and innovative solutions in the production of visual/audio content for digital campaigns.

d) Technical knowledge of multimedia hardware and software.

Can demonstrate high-quality photographic skills.

Can demonstrate:

• Excellent planning and organisational skills.

• Ability to work accurately under pressure and to multiple deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.

• Strong customer orientation.

• Excellent attention to detail.

Possess a current driving licence or have access to a form of transport that will permit the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience (continued)

Experience of working in digital communications within a public sector organisation.

Increments

Increments are normally payable from 1 April each year, subject to satisfactory service.

Location

All employees are assigned a base location, which for this role will be 2 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8PB.

Hours

The contractual hours are 37 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

A flexible Working Hours Scheme is in operation with core hours of 10.00 am–12.00 pm and 2.00 pm–4.00 pm. We also seek to enable our people to work flexibly in respect to when they work.

In line with our commitment to flexibility, we are happy to discuss this with the successful candidate, with options dependent on the nature of your role.

Annual Leave

You will be entitled to a minimum of 23 days annual leave per year. The leave year runs from January to December, and you will also be entitled to 12 public holidays.

Probation

Your employment will be subject to satisfactory completion of a probation period of 6 months, during which time your progress will be monitored and feedback provided. You will be obliged to follow all procedures and rules laid down by the Housing Executive.

Period of Notice

You may terminate your employment by giving one month’s notice in writing, terminating on the last day of a calendar month. If your employment is being terminated, the period of notice to be given will be as recommended for Local Government Officers in line with terms and conditions.

Other Benefits

Benefits of working for the Housing Executive include:

• Learning and development opportunities

• Flexible working and family-friendly policies

• Volunteering and fundraising policy

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Onsite Occupational Health services including flu jabs and complementary Fitech health and wellbeing assessments

• Inspire Workplaces – providing free, confidential counselling and support to employees 24/7

• Corporate gym membership, fitness classes, and access to our in-house gyms at 2 Adelaide Street, Belfast and Marlborough House, Craigavon

Pre-Employment Checks

Appointment is subject to:

(i) A satisfactory medical declaration.

(ii) Receipt of satisfactory references. References will only be sought as part of a pre-employment check prior to appointment. One reference must be a current employer, or if not currently employed, the most recent employer who would have knowledge of the candidate in a working environment. Candidates must provide accurate address/contact details for referees.

(iii) A satisfactory Access NI Basic Disclosure Check through a Responsible Body. A criminal conviction does not necessarily debar an applicant from employment.

(iv) Providing the required documentation to satisfy the essential criteria, e.g., proof of qualifications. If you do not provide the requested documentation, you will not be able to take up the post.

(v) Documentation Checks for the Prevention of Illegal Working – It is your responsibility to demonstrate you are entitled to work in the United Kingdom. You must provide original documents to verify your identity, one of which must include photographic identification.

Canvassing

Canvassing, in any form, oral or written, directly or indirectly, in connection with this appointment shall disqualify a candidate.