Communications and Project Support (Redeployment 4434)

• Suffolk County Council, Ipswich, IP1 2BX
• £27,514 – £34,373 per annum (pro rata if part time)
• 37 hours per week ( part time hours may be considered for this role)
• Permanent

This vacancy is available to current redeployment staff only

We are committed to flexible working. To view the types of flexible or part time working available for this role, please see the Job and Person Profile.

Job Details

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Transport East as a Communications Officer and Project Support.

• Are you an experienced, collaborative and motivated communicator seeking a new challenge?
• Are you adept at turning technical information into compelling messages for a wide range of audiences – from senior politicians and journalists, to businesses and the wider public?
• Would you like to work in an incredibly varied and rewarding role setting a new direction for transport in the East?

Transport East is an independent partnership of local authorities and other bodies, covering Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Southend and Thurrock. Our role is to speak with a single voice on the region’s transport strategy and investment priorities. The Transport East region is of huge importance to the UK. It is home to 3.5 million people and 1.7 million jobs. With a vibrant economy worth £73 billion, it is already one of the fastest growing regions in the UK outside of London.

The draft Transport East Strategy and supporting documentation can be found here, https://www.transporteast.org.uk/

The staff of Transport East are hosted by Suffolk County Council, on behalf of the wider partnership.

Your role

As the Communications Officer and Project Support, you will be critical to the success of Transport East. Using your professional communications knowledge and experience you will devise, deliver and evaluate corporate communications and engagement activities.

Working collaboratively and using a wide range of communication and project delivery techniques, you will deliver compelling messages to build relationships and increase our impact with our target audiences. Along with the Communications and Engagement Manager you will:

• develop a drumbeat of regular communications to our partners and wider audiences
• support our technical programme leads to communicate the outcomes of work on areas such as electric vehicle infrastructure, rural transport solutions, rail, bus and active travel investment
• engage and manage stakeholders to ensure our work adds value to that of our partners, through events, meetings and briefings.

You will be part of a dynamic and motivated team, operating in a high energy and professional environment: creativity and innovative thought are encouraged and allows the team to develop their own capabilities and ambitions .

You will need

• recent and relevant experience of working on creative and audience-focused multidisciplinary communications projects and campaigns
• recent and relevant experience of working with stakeholders, including politicians and journalists to build relationships and influence
• excellent written and verbal communications skills, including presentations, reports, meeting notes, publicity, digital and marketing materials
• proven ability to work flexibly, prioritising across multiple workstreams to meet deadlines and deliver value for money
• to be prepared to undertake occasional work outside core office hours.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (link below). If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

We will offer you

• Flexible working –  we currently operate digitally day-to-day, and whilst we anticipate returning to the office more frequently in the future, we are likely to retain a hybrid working style. You will be expected to travel to the office in Ipswich Suffolk, a couple of times a week. Travel to London, across the East or to other regions will also be expected on an occasional basis.
• Career growth – a varied work profile across all areas of communications in collaboration with regional and national organisations.

Travelling Requirements For Your Role

We positively encourage the use of technology to communicate, but in this role you will need to travel to locations away from your contractual base, so you must either hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability to meet the travel requirements of this role, please speak with the contact detailed below.

For more information

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Esme Yuill on 07810 878022

Due to the continued situation relating to COVID-19 and reduced occupancy in our buildings we are starting to explore and trial new hybrid and remote working practices. If you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements, please contact the recruiting manager listed above.

Please read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) before applying for this job opportunity.

In your application, please ensure your statement indicates how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the JPP and please make sure you upload a copy of your CV when completing the online application.

Closing date: 11.30pm 13 April 2022

Applications will be shortlisted on 19 April 2022

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 checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

About Us

We offer a fantastic, inclusive working environment including diverse and active staff networks, great flexible working options and many benefits, as well as the opportunity to improve the lives of Suffolk residents.

Benefits include:

• Performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• The opportunity to join a large, diverse organisation, with career opportunities across our services
• A supportive culture, underpinned by our WE ASPIRE values
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Up to 28 days annual leave entitlement, plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• An occupational sick pay scheme
• Learning and development opportunities, including a range of work-based apprenticeships
• Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
• A range of staff networks centred around equality groups
• Plus more

If you would like to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Working for Suffolk County Council pages (www.Suffolk.gov.uk/careers) .

Organization

How to apply

Step 1 – read the advert and the Job and Person Profile (JPP).

Step 2 – complete the Supporting Statement template

Step 3 – complete the online application and upload your statement.

Your statement needs to indicate how you meet the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the (JPP)

Your statement should:

• be no more than 2 sides of A4 in Arial font size 11
• use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted)
• be uploaded on your online application, as without this, your interest will not be progressed.

For more information, check out the How to Apply section of our Career Site .