Communications and Engagement Officer

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Communications and Engagement Officer in the SEND Project Management Team, you'll see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action. Reimagine the possibilities. Your role and responsibilities In this exciting role, you will play a key part in supporting the successful delivery of SEND Reform across Suffolk by leading communications, engagement and co-production activity across the local area partnership. You will:

• Lead the SEND Reform communications and engagement strategy, developing and delivering clear plans and campaigns that promote consistent messaging and understanding across partner organisations.
• Drive meaningful engagement and co-production with children and young people, families, education settings, health and social care partners, and voluntary and community sector organisations.
• Create accessible, inclusive and engaging content across a range of channels, including websites, social media, presentations, reports, events and promotional materials.
• Build and nurture strong stakeholder relationships, encouraging collaboration, raising awareness and ensuring partners understand their role in delivering SEND Reform.
• Monitor and evaluate communications and engagement activity, using feedback and insight to measure impact, identify emerging issues and drive continuous improvement., Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the . Tell us about a communications or engagement strategy you have developed and delivered. How did you identify your audiences, select the appropriate channels and ensure consistent messaging?
• Give an example of when you built effective relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders. How did you manage differing priorities and secure their support?
• Describe a time when you involved service users, residents or community groups in co-producing a project, campaign or piece of communication. How did their contributions influence the outcome?, This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
  
  We're looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative communications professional who can build relationships, engage diverse audiences and deliver impactful campaigns. You will have:
• Excellent communication and content creation skills, with experience producing engaging and accessible materials across a variety of channels, including digital platforms, social media, reports, presentations and campaigns.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence, collaborate and work effectively with a wide range of partners, including education, health, social care, community organisations, parent carers, and children and young people.
• Experience planning and delivering communications and engagement campaigns, including events, websites and social media activity, ideally informed by audience insight and behaviour-change principles.
• A good understanding of co-production and inclusive engagement, ensuring that children, young people, families and communities have a meaningful voice in shaping services and outcomes.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders and budgets effectively.
• A proactive, creative and adaptable approach, with the confidence to take initiative, solve problems and deliver results both independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of SEND, children's services or public sector partnership working would be advantageous, alongside experience of working within complex transformation or change programmes.
  
  As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you'll enjoy:
• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day