Digital Communications Officer

Within the National Influencing & Networks team, the Digital Communications Officer is responsible for delivering core communications functions.

The postholder will work directly with the Director of National Influencing and Networks to plan communications activity in line with organisational objectives, and to deliver planned, regular and ad-hoc outputs.

They will also work closely with the Area Engagement and Partnerships Team.

It is desirable for the postholder to bring innovative video editing and production expertise, along with strong digital content creation skills, to enhance Clinks’ communications reach and impact. 

More information about our influencing work is here: https://clinks.org/our-work/influencing-criminal-justice-policy  

About Us

Clinks supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families.

Our vision is of a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector that enables people to transform their lives. 

Duties and key responsibilities

• Contribute to the continued development of communications outputs of relevance to the voluntary sector working in criminal justice 

• Deliver Clinks’ communications functions to ensure our work and the voluntary sector is promoted in an accurate and timely manner. 

• Contribute to Clinks’ communications outputs through oversight of the organisational communications planner, supporting the development of timelines and executing as appropriate  

• Responsible for publication and design of organisational policy reports, e-bulletins, newsletters, blog posts, ad-hoc publications and other relevant digital outputs  

• Responsible for the collation and distribution of Clinks’ Light Lunch on a weekly basis as well as newsflashes, women’s network updates and art alliance updates  

• Provide communications and digital expertise to all Clinks staff, including planning of social media, publications or key deliverables including Clinks’ annual State of the sector research  

• Work closely with the Membership and Digital Development Officer to ensure coordination of Clinks’ digital output, and supporting the Clinks digital era by contributing to project managed task groups from a communications perspective 

• Work with Clinks’ partners on the delivery of local communications outputs  

• Lead on Clinks’ regular programme of reporting and benchmarking, with relevance to communications metrics, triaging responsibility within the organisation, and escalating as appropriate, as well as liaising with third parties as needed 

• Track and evaluate the impact of Clinks’ communications and digital outputs and advise colleagues accordingly  

• Responsible, with the Membership and Digital Development Officer, for keeping information on the website up to date.  

• Ensure the implementation of Clinks’ Content Creation Strategy and social media strategy, and contribute to development of wider organisational digital strategy  

• Continuously review comms process’ and outputs to ensure a continued high standard to Clinks overall delivery 

• Support fundraising activity and bid applications to help secure income for development work. 
   

Additional responsibilities 

• Contribute to team activity, including the communication of policy positions rooted in evidence, expertise and experience 

• Ensure high standards across all Clinks communications products 

• Support the development and operation of the various groups, networks and structures facilitated by Clinks 

• Represent Clinks at external meetings and events 

• Work with colleagues to maintain and develop Clinks’ database of stakeholders to support the distribution of published materials and other communications. 

General responsibilities   

• Represent and be an ambassador for Clinks 

• Work to support the mission, ethos and values of Clinks 

• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as they may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position 

• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace 

• Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work. 

This job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require. 

Person specification 

Education and experience

• 2-3 years’ experience in a communications-related role 

• Experience in innovative video editing, production, and digital content creation is highly desirable. 

Knowledge, skills and abilities  

• An understanding of issues related to: 

• The role of the voluntary sector in addressing social exclusion and inequalities 

• The criminal justice system, in particular prisons and probation. 

• The ability to engage audiences, persuade, and encourage understanding and participation in written and/or other communications, with a focus on social media output. 

• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and competing priorities 

• A collaborative approach to working with colleagues 

• Strong IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office, and an ability to support online platforms, including Drupal and Simple News, as well as proficiency in web development  

• An eye for design, with the ability to liaise with external designers and to use design software, for example InDesign to create documents and manipulate document templates and Canva to produce assets. 

• Clear, concise and engaging written and online communication skills  

• A scrupulous approach to proofreading and a high level of skill in written English. 

• Good knowledge of social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Bluesky, how to create and schedule engaging content for social media, and how to track engagement  

• Monitor feed, share content and engage with Clinks’ members via social media 

Personal attributes and other requirements  

• Working well in a team with a flexible approach to work 

• Ability to manage multiple and sometimes competing priorities  

• Personal resilience and ability to stay focused in a rapidly changing environment 

• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities, including for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system 

• Ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work 

• Commitment to upholding the rights of people facing disadvantage and discrimination in the criminal justice system.