About us

We are the Equality and Human Rights Commission. We are Great Britain’s national equality body and a United Nations accredited National Human Rights Institution. We were established by the Equality Act 2006 and our role is to protect and promote equality and human rights across England, Scotland and Wales. As a statutory non-departmental public body, we are funded by HM Treasury via the Cabinet Office, but we operate independently of governments.

We pride ourselves on being a flexible and inclusive employer. We celebrate difference, embrace diversity and support all our people to thrive at work. If this sounds interesting - apply to join us!

Our Vacancy

Working in the Commission's communications team, this role will play a major part in making sure our voice is heard and our work is seen by all ‘of our audiences. 

As the Commission’s only Press and Social Media Officer, you will have responsibility for growing and managing all social media channels and delivering on a number of media relations projects. A strategic thinker and a confident communicator, you will have experience of working in a busy media relations team or press office and be a credible and informed internal spokesperson and representative. 

As part of a small team it will be essential that you have a good understanding of all parts of communications including media, campaigns, digital engagement, and evaluation. Being part of the nation’s media headlines means we need a talented, passionate and enthusiastic person to help us get our messages across effectively. Your work here will be broad, covering topics from pregnancy and maternity discrimination to the Human Rights Act and everything in between and you will be adept at becoming at expert in a subject within often a very short space of time.

The role will play a key part supporting the Senior Media & Communications Manager, Head of External Affairs, Leadership Team and Board, ensuring the efficient delivery of both proactive and reactive media relations work. You will play you part to make sure we deliver within budget and on time and we are flexible and responsive enough to support our colleagues and work. 

In return, we can offer you a flexible workplace with dedicated colleagues working with you on subjects that really matter. We will support you in developing professional skills, encourage you to seek out opportunities and provide chances for you to broaden your horizons, develop your expertise, and progress your career. 

To be fully effective in this role you will be required to demonstrate our core skills of leadership, delivery management and stakeholder engagement as well as certain knowledge, skills and experience.

Key Responsibilities

As part of a small team it will be essential that you have a good understanding of all parts of communications including media, campaigns, digital engagement, and evaluation. Everything we do makes national headlines and we need a talented, passionate and enthusiastic person to help us reach more people. Your work here will be broad, covering every area; from human rights, to promoting our legal work.

The Press and Social Media Officer plays a crucial role in our communications strategy. You will play a key role supporting the Senior Management Team and the Board on their priorities and ensuring the delivery of a proactive approach to media relations and engagement. Other duties include:

• Planning and implementing integrated PR strategies.

• Growing and managing all social media channels.

• Co-managing a busy press office and its queries whilst taking part in a 24/7 on call rota.

• Deputising for the Senior Media & Communications Manager.

• Supporting the Head of External Affairs, Leadership Team and Board

What we are looking for

Knowledge and skills:

• Ability to write comprehensive media strategies and all relevant materials such as press releases, media briefing packs, statements, and FAQs - essential

• Ability to create and manage a variety of engaging content for multiple social media channels - essential

• Ability to embed evaluation and tracking into communication strategies, determining evaluation criteria and considering how to assess the impact of communication - essential

• Ability to develop measurable communication objectives to support the delivery of policy - essential

• Knowledge of the media and social media landscape, with particular relevance to the Commission and its work - essential

Experience:

• Experience of media relations, including working with national, regional and specialist press - essential

• Experience of successfully developing and implementing communications campaigns, plans and strategies - essential

• Experience of employing digital media channels and content as an everyday part of your wider communications activity - essential

• Experience of working in a busy press office with national, regional and specialist press as well as broadcast outlets - essential

• Experience of successfully developing and implementing high profile media materials and campaigns  - essential

• Experience of managing digital media channels and creating relevant content as an everyday part of your wider communications activity and working day - essential

• Experience of being part of a 24/7 on call rota and monitoring and responding to the news agenda and media queries within a short space of time - desirable

• Experience of supporting more senior members of staff and Board members in the delivery of their work - desirable

• Experience of monitoring the wider news agenda and protecting and promoting in house work within that space - essential

You will be assessed against our core skills (Leadership, Delivery Management and Stakeholder Engagement) and the knowledge, skills and experience required for the role in the application form. Please provide evidence and examples from your work history or other aspects of your life to demonstrate how you meet the criteria required. Full criteria details can be found in the candidate pack

Important Information

Currently we are trialling hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their EHRC office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for this role or for yourself, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a range of benefits including flexible working patterns, 30 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (full time FTE), access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme and partnership pension schemes, and enhanced parental leave benefits. More information can be found in the candidate pack.

How to apply

If this sounds like the role for you, please review the attached Candidate Pack for more information and submit your application today!

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is an accredited Disability Confident Leader and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for candidates with a disability.

Should you wish to apply under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme or request a reasonable adjustment, please indicate this in your application.  

If you require an alternative accessible version of the application form or wish to discuss your application or reasonable adjustment  – please contact us by email at recruitment@equalityhumanrights.com or by telephone on 0161 829 8100.

Diversity in our workforce

At the Commission, we are proud of our inclusive workplace where we celebrate difference, value everyone’s contribution and where people of all backgrounds can thrive.  We do not accept discrimination or harassment, and all our recruitment decisions are based on fair and open competition, with appointment on merit. We are committed to further growing our workplace by making sure that the talent pipelines for our most senior roles are as diverse and inclusive as they can be. We welcome applications from everyone and encourage disabled people and people from an ethnic minority background to apply. This is to ensure we are taking positive action in order to achieve our legitimate aim of a balanced representation in our workforce at senior grades.