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- Tasks: Lead impactful communications for the Essex Safeguarding Children Board and engage with diverse stakeholders.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority committed to community welfare.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safeguarding children while enhancing your communication skills.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and experience in communications or marketing required.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36169 - 42551 £ per year.
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About The Role
ESCB Senior Communications Officer
Fixed Term, Secondment Opportunity*, 6 months
Part Time, 18.5 hours per week (spread across a minimum of 3 days tbc)
£36,169 to £42,551 per annum FTE, pro rata: £18,084.50 to £21,275.50 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker**
Closing Date: 2nd November 2025
Interviews expected to be held 10th November 2025
- Individuals seeking secondments from external organisations also welcome.
- You’ll be expected to attend in-person team meetings at County Hall, Chelmsford at least once a month (usually on a Tuesday), with occasional requirement to travel to other locations for team events or collaborative activities.
We’re looking for a dynamic and experienced communications professional to lead and deliver impactful internal and external communications for the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB). This role plays a key part in supporting the multi-agency safeguarding arrangements in Essex, helping to raise awareness, engage stakeholders, and promote the vital work of the Board.
As the communications lead, you will:
- Manage and develop content for the ESCB website.
- Drive engagement across social media platforms and lead awareness campaigns.
- Create and distribute bulletins and communications across the partnership.
- Build strong relationships with communications leads across partner organisations.
You will support the Essex Safeguarding Children Board Manager in delivering complex and politically sensitive communications that reflect and promote the Board’s objectives.
The role is within the Essex Safeguarding Children Board Support Team which is hosted within Essex County Council Children and Families service. To read more about the Essex Safeguarding Children Board please visit ESCB.co.uk
ECC Children and Families service is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.
To read more about our business area, please visit Children & Families
Accountabilities
- Supporting and advising the Essex Safeguarding Children Board on all public and professional communications and engagement related activity.
- Responsible for managing events and conferences organised by the Board; working collaboratively with the colleagues to ensure effective delivery.
- Responsible for managing media engagement, particularly with regard to the coordination of media activity around Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews.
- Responsible for managing web-based and social media related activity
- Responsible for managing stakeholder communications.
- Work collaboratively to deliver effective communications functions for the Board.
- Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to degree level or equivalent by marketing/communications experience with evidence of continuing professional development and strong knowledge in relevant professional area.
- Excellent interpersonal, writing and presentation skills with the ability to communicate clearly and accurately to a variety of audiences, both internal and external.
- Proven project management experience in a multi-disciplinary field within marketing/communications, with strong research and initiative-taking skills.
- Previous experience of working in a political environment and an understanding of Local Government.
- Demonstrable understanding of communications channels including print, media and e-communications.
- Significant experience in an internal communications environment for a large multi-disciplinary organisation.
- Evidence of the ability to develop and sustain effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Ability to work at pace and under pressure.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone\\\’s Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Further details can be found on our careers page.
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Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Part-time
Job function
- Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
- Industries: Government Administration
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ESCB Senior Communications Officer employer: Essex
Contact Detail:
Essex Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land ESCB Senior Communications Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the communications field, especially those who have experience with local government. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even potential referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best work in communications. Whether it's social media campaigns or internal bulletins, having tangible examples will make you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Research is key! Familiarise yourself with the Essex Safeguarding Children Board's recent initiatives and challenges. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Essex County Council.
We think you need these skills to ace ESCB Senior Communications Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the ESCB Senior Communications Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in communications, especially in safeguarding or local government, to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Skills: We want to see your excellent writing and presentation skills shine through. Use clear examples of how you've successfully managed communications projects in the past, particularly in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Engage with Our Values: Familiarise yourself with our commitment to integrity and ethical behaviour. Reflect this in your application by demonstrating how you align with our values and how you can contribute to a positive workplace culture.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Senior Communications Officer and the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with the Essex Safeguarding Children Board's mission and recent initiatives. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a communications professional, your ability to convey ideas clearly is crucial. Prepare examples of past projects where you successfully managed communications or campaigns. Be ready to discuss how you tailored messages for different audiences, as this will highlight your expertise in engaging stakeholders effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in politically sensitive situations. Think of scenarios where you had to navigate complex communications challenges. Practising your responses will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills, which are vital for this role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, current communication strategies, or upcoming projects. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also gives you a chance to gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.
