Senior Communications Officer (Oxford Policy Engagement Network)

Grade 07S: £36,024 - £44,263 per annum

Applications for secondment from policymaking organisations are encouraged.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, proactive, and approachable communications professional to join the University-wide Policy Engagement Team in the new role of Senior Communications Officer for the Oxford Policy Engagement Network (OPEN).

OPEN is a growing network of researchers, doctoral students and professional services staff across the University who share a vision of public policy powered by the world’s best available research evidence and expertise. Its mission is to equip members to share knowledge and expertise with the policymaking community so that, with them, they can contribute to better policies that protect what is valuable and change the world for the better.

The Policy Engagement Team (PET) connects OPEN members with each other, with policy professionals, and with opportunities aligned to their particular policy interests – for engagement, professional development and funding, and provides relevant guidance and support.

The role of Senior Communications Officer (OPEN) is a new one in the PET, created in response to the growing number of researchers, staff, policy professionals and related activities that the team supports. For operational purposes, the PET is integrated into the Social Sciences Division’s (SSD) Research, Impact and Engagement Team. Under the supervision of SSD’s Research Communications Manager, the postholder will play a key role in developing a communications strategy to support a refreshed OPEN Strategy, and lead the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of its implementation. With support from the Communications and Events Officer (OPEN), whom the postholder will supervise, they will produce a range of communications outputs, share these via internal and external channels with research and policymaking communities to alert them to opportunities, keep them informed, and contribute to more effective engagement. The postholder will also lend support to the Research, Impact and Engagement Team when needed.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience in a communication, media relations or journalism role, including proven experience in producing effective print, digital and social media content. They will have excellent writing skills and attention to detail, with a proven ability to communicate complex concepts to non-specialist audiences. They will have strong interpersonal skills, and be able to work independently in a complex environment, taking initiative when necessary and prioritising effectively to meet deadlines.

This is a full-time, fixed-term role until 31 July 2025, with the possibility of extension depending on the availability of external funding.

As part of your online application, you will be required to upload a supporting statement, providing evidence as to how you meet each of the selection criteria.

Please note: we are also recruiting to a related role (Senior Communications Officer, OPEN). The panel will assess applicants against the selection criteria for the post to which they have applied, but may also consider them as part of a joint candidate pool for both roles if appropriate.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact elizabeth.crawford@socsci.ox.ac.uk.

Only applications received before 12:00 GMT on 22 July 2024 will be considered. Interviews are likely to be scheduled in early August 2024.

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