Comms Specialist Insight & Engagement Officer, Council of Reserve Forces and Cadets Association

The Comms Specialist Insight & Engagement Officer is responsible for supporting the development and delivery of audience-focused communication and engagement activity that strengthens understanding of RAFAC’s offer, priorities and impact. The role will use insight, feedback, performance data and stakeholder engagement to help shape effective communications activity, improve reach and relevance, and support the Media and Communications function in delivering coherent campaigns, messaging and audience engagement.

The role requires strong judgement, initiative, sound planning skills, and the ability to work confidently across a range of internal and external stakeholders. The role involves close working with the wider Media and Communications team, RAFAC staff, volunteers, and external suppliers where required. The post holder will contribute to communication planning, insight gathering, evaluation and engagement activity, and support continuous improvement in how RAFAC communicates with key audiences.

All staff are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Communications Insight and Engagement Responsibilities

• Support the planning and delivery of communication and engagement activity that aligns with RAFAC priorities and audience needs.
• Gather, interpret and present audience insight, feedback and performance information to support the development of effective communication approaches and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the development of engagement plans, communication products, campaigns and key messaging for internal and external audiences.
• Work with colleagues, volunteers and stakeholders to identify communication requirements, understand audience responses, and support delivery of a high-quality communications service.
• Support evaluation activity by monitoring outcomes, identifying themes, and helping to translate insight into practical recommendations for future communication and engagement activity.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain effective working relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and contractors where appropriate, to support delivery of communications activity.
• Undertake continuous professional development in accordance with a plan agreed with line management and maintain awareness of current communications and engagement practice.
• Undertake other duties, commensurate with grade, as directed by line management and consistent with the requirements of the role.

This post may contribute to the coordination of activity across projects or work areas but does not necessarily hold formal line management responsibility.

Essential:

• Significant experience in a communications, engagement, insight, marketing, or public affairs role.
• Demonstrable experience of planning and delivering communication or engagement activity to meet organisational objectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences.
• Experience of analysing insight, feedback, performance data or audience information to inform communication activity and decision-making.
• Competent user of Microsoft 365 applications and relevant digital communication, engagement or content management tools.
• Must hold, or be able to obtain, Security Clearance (SC).

Desirable:

• Experience of commissioning or managing external suppliers, agencies, or contractors.
• Experience of developing audience insight, evaluation approaches, or campaign performance reporting.
• Experience of working with volunteers, young people’s organisations, the public sector, or the defence environment.

Additional Requirements

This role may require occasional travel in support of engagement activity, stakeholder liaison, or communications delivery. This job description should be discussed with your line manager at the time of receiving your annual Personal Development Report. Occasionally, in light of changes in business need your job description may need to change. You may be requested to undertake additional or other activities of a similar nature to those within this job description, which fall within your capabilities and which are commensurate with your grade.

The job holder is required to comply with the RFCAs’ Code of Conduct and to avoid any conduct which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees or contractors on the grounds of any protected characteristics, as identified by the Equality Act 2010. The successful applicant must hold, or be able to obtain, Security Clearance (SC). The post holder may be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature, commensurate with grade and consistent with the requirements of the Comms Specialist Insight & Engagement role.

As part of our commitment to integrity and safeguarding all applicants for Crown Servant posts are required to declare whether, within the past five years, they have been dismissed from any employment for gross misconduct involving bullying, harassment, discrimination, or victimisation, or have left a role following a formal disciplinary process where a finding of gross misconduct related to these behaviours was made, even if dismissal did not occur. This declaration requirement applies regardless of whether the previous employment was within the Civil Service, Armed Forces, private sector, or another public body. A disclosure will automatically disqualify a candidate so the application must be rejected. All personal data will be treated confidentially.