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JOB APPLICATION

PACK

Job Title: Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer Directorate: Corporate Services Department: Communications Team Location: Twickenham

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Dear Candidate Thank you for your interest in working for Thames Valley Housing. In this pack you find the Job Description and Person Specification for the role you are applying for. We encourage you to read the guidance notes and fill in the application form carefully. The criteria set out in the person specification contains all the competencies for this role and will be assessed at different stages of the selection process. Please see the guidance notes for further information on this. Thames Valley Housing is a user of the government’s “two ticks” disability symbol, which recognises organisations that are positive towards disabled people. Disabled applicants who meet the short-listing criteria are guaranteed an interview. I hope that you find the job description interesting and decide to apply. I wish you success and we look forward to receiving your application form. Thames Valley Housing Recruitment Tel: 0300 456 2929 Email: recruitment@tvha.co.uk Web: www.tvha.co.uk/careers

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CONTENTS Guidance Notes for Applicants………………………………………………………………………………….4 Job Advert…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 Job Description…………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Person Specification…………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Our Competency Framework……………………………………………………………………………………12

Appendix 1……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13

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GUIDANCE NOTES FOR APPLICANTS Before you complete your application

Please read the job application pack before you apply online for the position - this contains all the

information you need to decide whether the job is right for you.

Read through the job description and person specification – they are the best places to find out

exactly what experience, skills and competencies you need to be successful in the role.

The person specification highlights the competencies we want to asses as part of our recruitment

process. Our competency framework is at the back of this pack.

You’ll need to prepare a CV – we ask you to upload your CV as a Word document as part of our

online application form.

Completing your application

When you’re ready to apply, click ‘Apply here’ at the bottom of the job advert for the position you’re

interested in and complete the online form.

We’ll ask you about your skills and competencies – as well as your CV, we’ll also ask you to upload a

personal statement or answer some questions online about how your skills and experience match the

essential criteria and competencies in the person specification.

You’ll need two good references - we will ask for contact details for your references in the online

application, but we won’t contact them until the offer stage. Your references should be:

- Your current employer. If you are unemployed, this will be your most recent employer. This

will be someone senior to you who can assess your work for us, not a colleague or friend at

work.

- A previous employer or someone with a senior role who can vouch for you.

We’ll ask you for some personal information to help us monitor diversity and equality – the only

people who will see this information are the HR team who will use it for equal opportunities

monitoring purposes. It will be treated in the strictest confidence and does not form part of the

selection process.

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What happens next?

Assessments/Interviews

Our Recruitment team will contact you a few days after the application closing date if your application has

been short-listed. We will invite you to a competency-based interview, and ask you to complete some tests.

These could be ability tests, written exercises, job-related tests, psychometric tests or IT tests. We will also let

you know if you have not been shortlisted this time.

Driving

If the job needs you to drive, we will need to see your driving license.

DBS check

For some jobs we will need to carry out a Disclosure & Barring Service check. We’ll say so in the job

description if that’s the case.

Eligibility to work in the UK

It’s against the law for us to take on people who do not have the right to work here. If we offer you a job, we

will ask you to prove this to us. We’ll send you a list of documents you can use for this.

Data Protection

By law, we have to let you know that we keep the personal information about you that you put in a job

application. When you sign and send an application in, we take this to mean that you are giving us permission

to keep it, and to use it to get in touch with you, if we find a job we think would suit you in the following six

months.

Your Views

We’re happy to hear from you. We want to improve our recruitment, so please complete the Recruitment

Survey. https://tvhahr.wufoo.eu/forms/recruitment-what-was-your-experience/

Getting in touch

If you have any questions or problems at any stage of your application, please do get in touch with our

recruitment team on recruitment@tvha.co.uk.

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JOB ADVERT

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Location: Twickenham

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £34,470 rising to £38,300 on probation completion. Hours: 35 hours per week

Closing date: 7 August 2017

Interview Dates: 14 August 2017

About Thames Valley Housing We are a medium-sized housing association based in Twickenham, South West London. We own or manage over 15,000 homes in London and the South East. These include traditional social rented housing, shared ownership, key worker and student accommodation. Our vision is for everyone to have the chance to build their lives from a base of a good home. Our mission is to provide good quality affordable homes and invest in communities. We love to build. Not just housing and communities, but skills and careers too.

About the role You’ll play an important role in ensuring that TVH group communications are effective, authentic and support our corporate strategy, vision and mission. Through close working with the Head of Communications & Public Affairs you will contribute to the strategic and creative development of projects and help ensure the highest quality communications are produced. You will also work alongside the wider communications team to develop, implement and evaluate a range of communications initiatives, providing supervisory support and project management where required. About you You’ll have excellent written and interpersonal skills, bags of initiative and experience of planning and delivering different types of communications campaigns. With a good working knowledge of the political landscape, you’ll also be working on briefings for senior colleagues and helping to build relationships with key political stakeholders. Applying process: Please apply online and submit a personal statement addressing : A) How your knowledge, experience & skills meet the job essential and desirable requirements. B) How you meet the technical and core competencies highlighted in red. *You will rise to the full salary on successful completion of your probationary period

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JOB DESCRIPTION Job title: Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer Directorate: Corporate Services Department: Communications Team Location: Twickenham Reporting to: Head of Communications and Public Affairs

Family tree (clearly showing the responsibilities for and to particular managers)

Main purpose of the job

To ensure communications and influencing projects support the objectives of the business

To manage complex projects and support the Head of Communications and Public Affairs

To help influence decision makers and ensure we are a trusted source of opinion and advice

To maintain excellent relationships and partnerships in support of our business objectives

To engage with staff, residents, and stakeholders in support our business objectives

Corporate Services Director

Head of Communications &

Public Affairs

Senior Communications &

Public Affairs Officer

Communications & Campaigns Officer

Communications & Employee

Engagement Officer

Communications & Training Assistant

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Main contacts which the post holder has within and outside the organisation

TVH Executive, Directors and Heads of Service

Staff, service users and stakeholders

Directors and partners at professional advisors and suppliers Financial dimensions specifically attached to post:

Managing budget associated with specific projects and events Principal accountabilities expected of the post holder Strategic communications

Provide advice and support on a wide-range of corporate communication projects

Identify and reach target audiences and customer segments as required by the business

Shape and produce excellent content appropriate to both channel and audience

Engage with staff to develop opportunities to influence key decision makers

Represent the organisation externally when required Leadership in the team

Provide ongoing guidance, advice and support to the team officers and other colleagues

Provide project supervision, proof reading and management support to the team officers

Help develop the maturity of our team in communications and influencing matters

Be an in-house communications expert, giving advice, guidance and support to the business

Work to the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and conduct Public affairs

Have an active interest in the political landscape around social housing

Help with the analysis of complex situations and deliver senior manager briefings as required

Help with research to support strategic and operational requirements of the business

Help prepare high level briefings, consultation responses and presentations as required

Manage stakeholder mapping projects and help build and maintain relationships

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Brand and general communications

Lead on delivering and evaluating social media campaigns around key issues.

Write copy and manage production of online and printed material

Write clear, engaging copy for web or print as needed – regardless of time pressure

Organise great events, appropriate to the objective, budget and outputs required

Act as TVH Brand champion, ensuring projects and materials live up to brand values

Promote the clear, authentic voice of TVH, ensuring comms are distinctly TVH Network and media

Manage press and PR contact with trade and news media as required

Build and maintain excellent relationships with trades press and other key contacts

Build and maintain excellent relationships with other comms, public affairs and policy teams Other

To carry out other duties as may be reasonably assigned from time to time by the line manager for this post, such duties to be compatible with the level of this job description.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION Role: Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer

Knowledge, Experience & Skills Able to negotiate, influence and communicate with directors, managers and staff across the business under pressure on complex issues in a clear, calm and friendly way. Able to analyse, research and write copy under pressure to meet tight deadlines. The ideal Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer will have the following:

Proven experience in a similar role delivering content through varied channels

Track record of influencing stakeholders

A broad appreciation of regulatory and political framework in housing sector

Good knowledge of workings of government at a national and local level; good political nous

Proven project management skills

Experience using analytical tools to record effectiveness of communications

Experience working with third party agencies would be great

Communicating with media outlets and journalists

Experience of writing copy for professional and non-professional audiences

Experience of using InDesign or similar packages is desirable but not essential

Qualifications Desirable - Degree level qualification, or equivalent. Desirable - Professional memberships and/or accreditation in Communications/Marketing

Competencies Core to the role: Applied Thinking Recommends improvements to processes and services at a team level by analysing patterns and trends from information

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Results Focused Uses Directorate/Department objectives to identify team KPIs to drive service delivery and meet goals Planning and Organising Delivers the project plan/departmental objectives to plan and budget

Initiative and Innovation Develops and implements initiatives at a local level

Working Together Involves others to work towards shared goals and objectives

Managing Relationships Builds positive and reciprocal relationships that benefit the Association

Continuous Improvement Delivers Improvement at team level

Customer Driven Delivers a high quality service

OTHER Strong IT skills Strong understanding of digital and social media channels and opportunities Commitment to Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety

LIVING AND DELIVERING THE CORPORATE VALUES

Think Forward – Question how we do things. Think Ahead. Innovate Think We – Let’s work together to achieve our shared goals. Think Openly – Let’s be transparent and true to our word. Think With Compassion – Offer your time and support. Act with empathy and understanding. Think With Energy – Be passionate about delivering great customer service and making things happen JD creation date: June 2017

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OUR COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK

What are Competencies and how are they used? A competency is an ability, skill, knowledge or trait that is needed for the successful performance of a job. It is often defined in terms of behaviours. Overall, competencies are a set of behaviours that an individual must possess in order to perform to the optimum level within that role. When used properly, and in conjunction with other working practices and procedures, competencies can ensure fairness, openness and equality in the way we recruit staff, select people for training, identify clear development paths and promote people. The Competency Framework contains a total of ten competencies and it is considered that to carry out a role at a particular level an individual should possess those competencies that are ‘Core’ for that level. The depth of which these core competencies are required will vary according to each role. Core competencies are far broader in their application and apply to all jobs within TVH. This document details the core competencies which TVH recognises as necessary. The person specification highlights the competencies we want to assess as part of our recruitment process, but the following areas are important all of the time.

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Name Definition Level Descriptors

1 Applied Thinking Makes use of relevant information to resolve problems, identify opportunities and reach appropriate solutions.

Leader Identifies new business opportunities by evaluating company performance from a range of information

Expert Sets Directorate/Departmental priorities by developing solutions to support the business plan

Professional Recommends improvements to processes and services at a team level by analysing patterns and trends from information

Vocational Solves basic problems within clearly laid out policies and procedures

2 Results Focused – “Getting things done”

Achieves successful delivery of tasks and objectives by effectively managing others or taking direct action.

Leader Sets the performance framework for the organisation to meet corporate goals, achieve results and champions improvements

Expert Sets the performance framework for the Directorate/Department to meet objectives, KPIs and continuously seeks improvements in delivery

Professional Uses Directorate/Department objectives to identify team KPIs to drive service delivery and meet goals

Vocational Takes responsibility for achieving individual objectives and contributing to team targets

3 Planning and Organising Plans and organises work and activities to meet objectives whilst achieving quality and value for money.

Leader Structures the business plan to deliver key objectives while allocating appropriate resources

Expert Develops project plans and identifies departmental activities and resources required to meet organisational goals

Professional Delivers the project plan/departmental objectives to plan and budget

Vocational Contributes to the team/project objectives by effectively setting own work plan and prioritising key tasks

4 Initiative and Innovation Takes a creative approach to work by formulating new ideas or adapting existing ideas in a new or unexpected way to create opportunities.

Leader Develops ways of capturing innovation and creativity across the organisation and delivers through others

Expert Plans and implements new ideas in the long to medium term and takes the lead in delivering change within Directorate

Professional Develops and implements initiatives at a local level

Vocational Addresses current opportunities by improving and adapting existing approaches

Appendix 1

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Name Definition Level Descriptors

5 Working Together Works co-operatively and flexibly across cultures and organisational boundaries to achieve shared goals

Leader Creates a positive team working environment

Expert Builds the team to deliver a high quality service

Professional Involves others to work towards shared goals and objectives

Vocational Works co-operatively with other members of the team and direct customers

6 Managing Relationships (Influencing, persuading and negotiating)

Builds and maintains relationships to achieve positive outcomes for the Association

Leader Extends networks and uses indirect influence to build external relationships to achieve long term strategic organisational goals

Expert Maintains networks and plans impact

Professional Builds positive and reciprocal relationships that benefit the Association

Vocational Builds rapport with colleagues and direct customers/suppliers

7 Continuous Improvement (Striving for Excellence)

Looks for opportunities to improve (self, products and/or services)

Leader Creates a continuous improvement environment

Expert Drives Departmental activity to continuously improve systems and processes

Professional Delivers improvements at a team level

Vocational Drives self to deliver results and aspirations

8 Customer Driven Provides an excellent service to all customers

Leader Develops the strategy to meet the long term interests and aspirations of customers

Expert Champions and promotes the delivery of quality service to all customers

Professional Plans and organises delivery of customer service

Vocational Delivers a high quality service

9 Commercial Awareness Understands relationship of operational issues to wider business context

Leader Defines and develops TVH’s commercial objectives to maximise the organisation’s financial wellbeing

Expert Delivers the commercial objectives

Professional Understands the purpose and content of the Corporate business plan

Vocational Demonstrates awareness of commercial aspects of the business

10 Leadership (Developing and Managing People)

Inspires and motivates others to develop confidence and capability to realise their full potential

Leader Leads the organisations to deliver high performance

Expert Is a role model for effective leadership

Professional Supports team development

Vocational Gives basic direction and instruction

Appendix 1

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