Digital Communications Officer

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Digital Communications Officer

🔹 Company: Suffolk County Council

🔹 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Part-time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Government Administration

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-01

🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site with flexible working options

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Working in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Capturing children and young people's views through digital means
• Creating media content to amplify young people's voices
• Supporting the wider team in co-producing with the community
• Attending events and meetings with young people

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong adaptability, creativity, and a genuine interest in working with young people to ensure their voices are heard.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Work in a changing and fast-paced environment, with every day presenting new challenges

✅ Collaborate with Co-production Advisors and the Digital Information Officer to capture children and young people's views using digital tools

✅ Engage directly with children and young people to understand their experiences and perspectives

✅ Create digital content, such as films, voice clips, photographs, and other media, to represent young people's views accurately

✅ Contribute to the creation of media content for social media platforms and The Source website

✅ Attend events and meetings where young people are present to gather insights and advocate for their lived experiences

✅ Support the wider team in co-producing with children and young people and the broader community

ASSUMPTION: The role may involve working with vulnerable individuals, requiring a high level of empathy, understanding, and professionalism.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: No specific degree required, but relevant experience in digital communication, youth engagement, or a related field is essential.

Experience: Proven experience working with young people, preferably in a digital or communication capacity.

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong digital literacy and proficiency in using various digital tools and platforms
• Ability to adapt to changing environments and manage multiple priorities
• Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to think outside the box
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with young people
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a government or public sector organization
• Fluency in additional languages, particularly those commonly spoken in Suffolk

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a background in journalism, media production, or digital marketing may find this role particularly appealing.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £27,711 per annum pro rata (based on 22.2 hours per week)

Benefits:

• Flexible working options
• Pension scheme
• Employee discounts and offers
• Learning and development opportunities

Working Hours: 22.2 hours per week, with flexible working options available

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the information given in the job listing and is subject to change based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Government Administration, focusing on community engagement and youth services

Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees, providing a large and diverse range of career opportunities

Founded: 1974, with a rich history of serving the Suffolk community

Company Description:

• Suffolk County Council aims to empower and inspire its people and communities, fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, and respect
• The council explores innovative ways to encourage, support, and enable everyone to be their best selves, creating meaningful connections with its people and partners
• Suffolk County Council strives to leave a positive and lasting legacy by improving and evolving its services and the world around it

Company Specialties:

• Community engagement and youth services
• Digital communication and media production
• Co-production and collaboration with communities

Company Website: http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/careers

ASSUMPTION: Suffolk County Council is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities it serves.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Early to mid-career level, with opportunities for growth and development within the organization

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Engagement Hub team, with close collaboration with Co-production Advisors and the Digital Information Officer

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a requirement to work on-site in Ipswich on Thursdays and the option for flexible working on other days

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression within the Engagement Hub team or related departments
• Broadening skills and experience through involvement in diverse projects and campaigns
• Potential to take on leadership or mentoring roles as the team grows and evolves

ASSUMPTION: The role offers excellent opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace with a focus on employee well-being and comfort

Office Location(s): Ipswich, Suffolk, with the option for flexible working from other locations

Geographic Context:

• Ipswich is a vibrant and historic town located in the heart of Suffolk, offering a mix of urban and rural living
• The region is known for its beautiful countryside, coastal towns, and rich cultural heritage
• Suffolk is well-connected by road, rail, and public transport, making it an attractive location for commuters and families alike

Work Schedule: 22.2 hours per week, with flexible working options available

ASSUMPTION: The role may involve occasional travel to attend events or meetings with young people in other locations within Suffolk.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Review of supporting statement and CV
• Phone or video screening interview
• Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Digital communication skills and experience
• Ability to engage with and understand young people's perspectives
• Creativity and adaptability in content creation
• Alignment with the council's values and commitment to empowering communities

Application Tips:

• Tailor your supporting statement to the specific requirements and responsibilities of the role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the council's mission and values in your application
• Highlight any relevant experience working with young people or in digital communication
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to co-production and collaboration with communities

ATS Keywords: Digital communication, youth engagement, content creation, co-production, collaboration, media production, event attendance, adaptability, community empowerment, listening skills, respect, teamwork, insight gathering, creative thinking

ASSUMPTION: Suffolk County Council uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage and review job applications, so including relevant keywords in your application can help ensure it is seen by the hiring team.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Video and audio editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Audacity)
• Project management tools (e.g., Trello, Asana)

ASSUMPTION: The role may require the use of additional tools and technologies specific to the projects and campaigns the Engagement Hub team is working on.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Empowering everyone
• Reimagining possibilities
• Collaborating and connecting

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Committed to continuous learning and improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you share Suffolk County Council's commitment to empowering communities and reimagining possibilities?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing environment and adapting to new challenges as they arise?
• Do you thrive in a collaborative work environment and enjoy working with diverse teams to achieve common goals?

ASSUMPTION: Suffolk County Council values diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to be their authentic selves.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working with vulnerable young people may be emotionally challenging at times
• Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment can be stressful
• Adapting to changing circumstances and priorities may require flexibility and resilience
• Occasional travel may be required to attend events or meetings with young people in other locations within Suffolk

ASSUMPTION: Suffolk County Council provides support and resources to help employees manage the challenges and demands of their roles.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Digital Communications Officer vs. Youth Engagement Officer: Both roles focus on working with young people, but the Digital Communications Officer has a stronger emphasis on digital communication and content creation
• Industry-specific context: The role is unique to the government sector, with a focus on community engagement and youth services
• Career path comparison: The role offers opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization, with potential progression into related fields or leadership positions

ASSUMPTION: The role of Digital Communications Officer is distinct from other youth engagement or communication roles, with a unique focus on digital communication and co-production with young people.

📝 Sample Projects

• Creating a series of short films to capture the experiences and perspectives of young people using Suffolk County Council services
• Developing a social media campaign to raise awareness of a specific youth-focused initiative or event
• Co-producing The Source website with young people, ensuring their voices and experiences are accurately represented and reflected

ASSUMPTION: The role may involve working on a wide range of projects and campaigns, with a focus on digital communication and youth engagement.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe a typical day or week in this role and how I might contribute to the team's goals?
• How does the Engagement Hub team collaborate with other departments and external partners to ensure young people's voices are heard?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the Engagement Hub team or the wider organization?
• How does Suffolk County Council support employees in managing the challenges and demands of their roles?
• What is the team's approach to co-production and ensuring young people's voices are accurately represented in the content they create?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process can help demonstrate your interest in and understanding of the role and the organization.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Read the Job and Person Profile (docx)
• Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application
• Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions (no more than 400 words per question) using the Supporting Statement template
• Can you describe a time when you used digital tools to capture and present young people's views? What tools did you use, and what was the outcome?
• How do you ensure that the digital content you create accurately represents the voices and experiences of young people?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a rapidly changing environment? How did you manage the changes, and what was the result?
• Describe a time when you had to communicate complex information to a young audience. How did you ensure that your message was clear and engaging?
• Follow the application instructions carefully, ensuring you provide all required information and documents
• Submit your application before the closing date of 11:30 PM on 13 April 2025

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.