The public sector client is looking to recruit a Communications Officer for a short term temporary contract of 3 months, which enables you to work remotely.

Working to the Senior Communications Manager and Senior Communications Officer you will support the day-to-day stakeholder engagement, public affairs and international relations activities including parliamentary monitoring, providing early alerts to issues, advising and drafting appropriate responses, organising meetings with stakeholders and producing written briefings and reports in advance of key meetings, visits and events. You will provide a professional service, employing communications skills and supporting the implementation of tactical stakeholder engagement plans. The post-holder will be required to identify stakeholder engagement opportunities and to connect these across the business to maximise the overall impact of our work.

Experience and Knowledge
• The post holder will have experience of working in a public affairs, external communications, campaigns or parliamentary environment. They will have excellent written and oral communications skills and knowledge of public affairs.
• Good understanding of the current and topical issues surrounding health, social care and the NHS, including the digital health agenda.
• Good knowledge and understanding of UK parliamentary and Government processes with an interest in politics, current affairs and health policy.
• Prior knowledge of major health policy issues will be advantageous.
• You will have experience of working in a busy environment.
• You will also have well-developed interpersonal and influencing skills in order to build good working relationships and communicate our messages effectively
• Strong organisational skills are essential, and you will be expected to proactively coordinate activity, manage competing demands, use your judgement to prioritise tasks and work independently.

The post holder will:
• provide support and guidance to both the Senior Communications Manager, Senior Communications Officer and senior members of NHS Digital on all aspects of stakeholder engagement, public affairs and international relations.
• support the development of communications material for external events, meetings, parliamentary engagement and speeches
• support the Senior Communications Manager in the delivery of stakeholder engagement, developing relationships and facilitating contacts and meetings with key stakeholders to grow our influence and ensure the voice of NHS Digital is heard across the sector.
• provide informative and engaging briefings for senior NHS Digital leaders and key external stakeholders to support and influence the organisations programme of work.
• undertake first class monitoring and research and provide comprehensive analysis of the political and health sector landscape.
• support the Senior Communications Manager and Senior Communications Officer to work in conjunction with any future policy team to develop and manage our stakeholder relations and public affairs strategy.
• work collaboratively with partners across our ALBs, domestic and international Government to develop a joined-up approach to engagement with shared key stakeholders.
• contribute to and develop the team’s administration, planning, evaluation and reporting and able to adopt matrix working principles to support the wider strategic engagement and internal communications team.

Behaviours and Values Skills and Abilities
• Ability to work to strict deadlines.
• Interest in and commitment to the NHS and wider healthcare.
• Able to contribute effectively to senior teams.
• Flexible approach to work.
• Commitment to promoting diversity and equal opportunities.
• Self-motivated/reliant and able to work on own initiative with minimum supervision.
• Resilience, tolerance and acceptance of constructive criticism.
• Able to form and maintain relationships with internal and external staff to support public affairs activity

Skills and Ability
• Ability to work with and influence senior leaders, managers and staff at all levels.
• Design and project manage stakeholder relations campaigns, events and visits.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills – verbal and written.
• An appreciation of the need for confidentiality of information.
• Ability to build networks within and outside the organisation.
• Provide and receive complex sensitive information where cooperation and agreement is required.
• Excellent organisational skills and co-ordination ability.
• Excellent research skills
• Excellent written presentation skills.

Qualifications and Training
• Educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience.
• Knowledge of engagement, communications, public relations, journalism and marketing communication techniques are advantageous

The client is really looking for someone who has experience in public affairs or someone who has worked as a Parliamentary Advisors/officer/ analyst