Job Description

Please note this is a temporary post with a projected end date of 30th September 2025.

We are seeking to recruit a Communications Assistant to help deliver the communications output of the North Pennines AONB Partnership staff team. This post will have a strong emphasis on promoting our events programme and there will also be a focus on creating and publishing website content and other digital communications.

The North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark is the second largest AONB in the country and covers large parts of the counties of Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland. The staff team works with others to take action to conserve and enhance the AONB and Geopark, taking action for nature recovery and helping people to make an emotional connection with the nature, heritage and landscape of this special place.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?
The role is busy and varied. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• working as part of a small team to support and deliver external communication for the work of the North Pennines AONB Partnership staff team, with a particular focus on events and website content.
• contributing to the North Pennines AONB Partnership\'s web and digital presence, creating and publishing content on the Partnership\'s websites and apps.
• identifying activity that is potentially newsworthy, communicates a key message or tells an engaging story, and to plan, originate, edit and distribute this as content for a variety of media - e.g. press releases, web, social media, e-newsletters, annual reviews, leaflets.
• generating and sharing listings, digital assets, print and copy to widely promote the AONB Partnership\'s events programme
• supporting the production of printed and digital communications and interpretation materials in line with branding guidelines, including originating copy, developing design and print specifications, and supervising contractors where required.
• contributing to the AONB Partnership\'s portfolio of photographic, audio-visual and written material

We encourage you to contact Sarah Hudspeth via email at to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will need to be educated to a level 5 qualification in a relevant subject (relevant in subject to the work of the AONB Partnership or to the specific communications role) or have significant work experience in a communications role.

You will have significant experience of maintaining and developing websites, including content editing, using a CMS such as Wordpress as well as experience in using design packages such as Canva or Photoshop.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

HOW TO APPLY
In line with the County Council\'s Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.
Please use the \'Person Specification\' section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge.

Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

INTERVIEWS
Interviews are scheduled to be held on Wednesday 23 August 2023.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Payroll and Employee Services Team via email

BENEFITS AND REWARDS
We can offer you a range of employee benefits including competitive salaries, a generous leave entitlement of up to 32 days, a government pension scheme and various flexible and hybrid working options (benefits are subject to individual Terms and Conditions).
If you would like to know more, please follow this link:

HYBRID WORKING
Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise the value of difference, having a diverse talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and can provide support throughout the recruitment process, for more information please refer to the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion page on our website.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.

Durham County Council