Job Description
The incumbent is required to develop, implement, direct, and evaluate the Ministry's/ Department's communications stakeholder engagement and marketing strategies and programmes, including citizen engagement, public relations, media relations, digital content, and the Ministry's/ Department's identity/ image programme. Duties include planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the work of staff engaged in the performance of relate activities. Duties also include using communications as a vital component of the overall change management programme in support of the Ministry's/ Department's initiatives amongst internal stakeholders and to inform clients, employees, and the general public of initiatives and policies of the Government and of the Ministry/ Department.
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<ul><li>Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the work of staff engaged in the provision of Communications Services in a Ministry/ Department.</li><li>Designs, organizes, and implements a creative and effective Communications and stakeholder engagement Strategy and work programme, including citizen engagement, public awareness, storytelling, digital media, media relations, event management, project design, and management and crisis management.</li><li>Oversees content management for the Ministry's/ Department's digital media platforms, ensuring that it is adequately integrated into the Ministry's/ Department's operations.</li><li>Prepares the more complex and sensitive briefs, media releases, advertisements, and presentations; reviews speeches to be delivered by the Minister.</li><li>Prepares the more complex Cabinet/ Ministerial Notes, internal notes, and other documents.</li><li>Spearheads the development and implementation of media relations strategy to ensure proactive and positive media coverage of the Ministry's Department's activities and to minimize negative media reports.</li><li>Facilitates workforce effectiveness by setting the standard for monitoring the performance of staff supervised.</li><li>Directs and participates in the preparation of the budgetary estimates of the Communications Division/ Unit and ensures the expenditure is in accordance with financial guidelines.</li><li>Provides strategic advice to members of the Ministry's/ Department's executive and senior management teams, business unit managers and client sector leaders to build and protect the brand name and image.</li><li>Defines and manages all aspects of strategic communications: public awareness, brand, and reputation management, data and insights, internal communication, and relationship management for the Ministry/ Department.</li><li>Directs the conduct of research activities to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of Communications and client service provided and recommends necessary changes.</li><li>Prepares the required inputs for the Ministry's/ Department's Annual Report and other reports required by other agencies.</li><li>Formulates policies, procedures, systems, and guidelines that support the Communications function in the Ministry/ Department and ensures compliance.</li><li>Oversees the budgeting, planning, direction, coordination, implementation and evaluation of major events and programmes in the Ministry/ Department and ensures successful execution.</li><li>Directs and coordinates staff engaged in the performance of protocol duties for the Ministry/ Department in accordance with established standards to ensure appropriate etiquette is used in interactions with individuals such as dignitaries and officials.</li><li>Advises on the development and implementation of citizen engagement strategies, programmes, and action plans adopted by the Ministry/ Department.</li><li>Develops and trains staff supervised in the creation and implementation of Crisis and Issues Communication Plans.</li><li>Participates in the procurement of consultants for communications and research services by defining the research problem, determining research methodologies&nbsp; and sources, advising on questionnaires and discussion guides, and reviewing reports and recommendations.</li><li>Manages the work activities of consultants providing communications and research services.</li><li>Contributes to the development of and provides oversight for customer relationships by maintaining constant dialogue, monitoring evolving needs, monitoring client care audits/ quality indicators/ client surveys, and developing early dissatisfaction detection mechanisms.</li><li>Directs and coordinates the process for monitoring national, regional, and international news and provides the executive with media summaries as detailed in the delivery schedule.</li><li>Performs other related duties as required.</li><li>&nbsp;</li></ul>
Key Competency
<ul><li>Extensive knowledge of media issues, social marketing theory and practice, communications strategies and implementation and behavioral sciences.</li><li>Extensive knowledge of stakeholder engagement, citizen engagement, marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion and other marketing communication methods.</li><li>Extensive knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research, planning and strategy, and the role of mass media.</li><li>Extensive knowledge of key Government policies, National Development Strategies, and priorities.</li><li>Extensive knowledge of digital media strategies and management.</li><li>Knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.</li><li>Considerable knowledge of the organizational structure of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.</li><li>Considerable knowledge of protocol procedures.</li><li>Knowledge of Public Administration.</li><li>Strong proficiency in strategic planning, project design and management.</li><li>Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite desktop publishing and communications technologies such as web applications, design/ illustration software and/ or databases.</li><li>Skill in the use of personal computers.</li><li>Skill in writing and editing, including a strong command of English.</li><li>Skill in conducting research and in conceptual and analytical thinking.</li><li>Ability to use e-Government technology platforms.</li><li>Ability to use the internet for research purpose.</li><li>Ability to plan, organize, lead, and coordinate the work of professional and other support staff performing communications duties.</li><li>Ability to develop effective and engaging branded events that will achieve Ministry/ Agency goals.</li><li>Ability to problem solve and work independently in a changing and multi-tasking environment with numerous deadlines.</li><li>Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal/ external partners.</li><li>Ability to develop professional relationships in all aspects of the position, resulting in stable, consistent, reliable, and courteous communications when dealing with other stakeholders.</li><li>Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.</li></ul>