Media & Communications Adviser NLRF

Salary: Band 8, £36,066 – £41,028 (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the beginning of the band)

Location: Middle Engine Lane (Expected to move to Cobalt Business Park Summer 2027) / Ponteland, and homeworking, with travel to partner organisation premises as required

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, Fixed term contract – 3 years

The role

Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing. It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively. This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Communications and Engagement Department as a Media and Communications Adviser with responsibility for the Northumbria Local Resilience Forum (NLRF).

The Northumbria Local Resilience Forum (NLRF) brings together organisations and agencies responsible for emergency preparedness and response across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. This role of NLRF Media and Communication Adviser plays a key part in communicating the Forum's work, strengthening its profile, and building public confidence.

Sitting within Northumbria Police's Media & Communications Team you will also support the work of the Force – from responding to media enquiries to supporting operational activity.

What you'll do

• Working as part of a team of media professionals and on your own initiative to deliver proactive and reactive communications, ensuring policing and NLRF matters are communicated effectively, accurately, and timely to target audiences.
• Collaborate with and advise officers and staff, to deliver communications to build public understanding, trust, confidence, and support in Northumbria Police and NLRF.
• Build strong relationships to proactively self-generate a range of positive creative content, for the Force's and NLRF's own channels and external media organisations to drive engagement.
• Organise and run media interviews, press conferences/briefings and co-ordinate the media on operational activity.
• Efficiently and effectively handle media enquiries from local, regional and national outlets, on behalf of the Force/NLRF, to maintain and enhance public confidence.

What you'll bring

• A strong educational foundation, supported by experience delivering effective communication activity in a similar role, with the ability to produce creative, engaging content across a range of channels, including digital.
• Solid working knowledge of media law, alongside an excellent understanding of external engagement platforms—including social media—and the ability to tailor content appropriately for each audience and channel.
• High levels of computer literacy and IT capability, with the confidence to learn and adapt to new systems and digital tools quickly and effectively.
• Proven experience in creating high-quality, impactful content, demonstrating creativity, attention to detail, and an understanding of how to engage diverse audiences through multi-media communication.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing workloads, plan your own diary, deliver communication plans to deadline, and remain calm, accurate and effective in fast-paced or high-pressure situations.
• High-quality communication skills, including exceptional written, verbal and presentation abilities, with the capability to produce accurate, engaging content that meets the needs of the Force while handling sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
• A proactive, flexible and collaborative approach, able to work independently and as part of a team, share ideas, self-learn new platforms and tools, respond positively to challenging situations, participating in on-call out-of-hours/weekend rota.
• Commitment to professionalism and inclusion, demonstrating resilience, an understanding of diversity, equality and inclusion, and the ability to travel across the Force area as required to fulfil the needs of the role.

We know it's important for you to feel that you're not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

What we offer

• 26 days' leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
• NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
• Flexi time – allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs
• Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
• Agile working – option to work from home, your team zone, and spaces across the force
• Fantastic market-leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
• Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
• Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
• Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
• We've invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on-site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support.
• Access to gyms in some stations
• Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to volunteer in local community

We are committed to building a dynamic, agile workplace where meaningful connections are key. For roles designated as agile or home-based, employees will work from a Force site at least once a week, with two days recommended. Hiring managers will be happy to discuss how this works in practice at interview stage. This approach helps build strong relationships, supports wellbeing, and fosters collaboration across teams.

Just so you know, internal candidates with priority status will be given precedence for this role over other applicants.

Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Media & Communications Adviser NLRF with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you're applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute.

The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by a face-to-face interview and exercise. Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.

We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, working together to improve the lives of disabled employees. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In cases of very high application volumes, we may prioritise those who most closely meet the criteria, applying the same fair approach for all candidates.

If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter). You can get in touch with us via email for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.

Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.

If your application is successful, we'll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.

Terms of appointment: This is a fixed term role subject to a six-month probationary period. If you are successful in your application, you will have a six-month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.

Please note if you are interested in applying for this secondment opportunity, please discuss this with your Line Manager and gain agreement prior to applying.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.