Ministry of Defence
Port of Spain
Job Description
<div>The incumbent is required to contribute to the achievement of the communications targets of the&nbsp;<span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ministry/Department and assist in monitoring their implementation. Duties include coordinating media relations&nbsp;</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">strategies, producing and disseminating materials for communicating information about the Ministry/Department&nbsp;</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">and its services; coordinating the content of the intranet or external website and the production of a quarterly&nbsp;</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">newsletter; disseminating reports and publications; and maintain an updated database of contacts and an effective&nbsp;</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">communication system within the Ministry/Department. Depending on work assignment, the incumbent will be&nbsp;</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">required to perform duties in one or more of the Communications functional areas.</span></div>
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<p><u>Strategy and Measurement&nbsp;</u></p><ul><li>Assists in tracking developments in the Ministry/Department's sector nationally and globally.</li><li>Participates in the design, organization and implementation of a creative and effective Marketing/Communications Strategy, including content management for the Ministry/Department's digital media and that it is adequately integrated into the Ministry/Department's Operations.</li><li>Participates in the preparation and execution of programmes geared towards educating and informing the Public.</li><li>Conducts research and utilizes other data to analyze and evaluate information to prepare policy documents, briefs, working papers and presentations.</li><li>Assists with relevant research, including but not limited to the conduct of interviews to determine the success and outreach of Information Programmes and initiates corrective action as appropriate.</li><li>Assists in identifying stakeholders' needs and proposes relevant engagement strategies.</li><li>Liaises with Media Services to monitor print and electronic media to keep the Ministry/Department informed of developments within the Communications environment.</li><li>Interprets HR policies and procedures to assist clients with queries and concerns.</li><li>Prepares communications reports, Cabinet/Ministerial Notes, internal notes and other documents.</li></ul><p><u>Product and Events</u>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Develops and implements marketing, media placement and distribution strategies for the Ministry/Department.</li><li>Assists in the production of literature formats such as booklets, posters, and brochures for public outreach and sensitization.</li><li>Assists in the development of information and activities such as health and wellness, safety awareness and other cultural and workplace-enhancing projects.</li><li>Performs day-to-day management of the intranet site through the use of a Content Management System, including design, content and technical functions, to ensure that it is useful for staff and that content is up-to-date, accurate and consistent with the Brand Identity Guide.</li><li>Develops and manages internal communication activities involving, engaging, and informing all employees, utilising appropriate communication tools.</li><li>Prepares, develops, writes, and edits content for the intranet, staff newsletter, team briefings, noticeboards, and other internal communications channels, as well as for project briefs.</li><li>Maintains and regularly updates a detailed calendar of events for the Ministry/Department.</li></ul><p><u>Media and Advertising</u>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Develops a Media Strategy for each announcement, launch or significant media event.</li><li>Organises and manages press, radio, and television interviews.</li><li>Writes a variety of communications (e.g. press releases, personal interest stories, newsletters, etc.) for the purpose of keeping the media and public informed of the activities of the Ministry/Department.</li><li>Coordinates collateral completion, printing, and distribution to selected media representatives.</li><li>Drafts appropriate responses to adverse publicity.</li><li>Undertakes research on current digital media technology and marketing and communications trends to improve Ministry/Department communications.</li><li>Monitors national, regional, and international news to identify evolving trends and opinions which may impact the work of the Ministry/Department.</li><li>Monitors media scanning databases and redirects any issues to the relevant authorities.</li><li>Provides media summaries and alerts on breaking news.</li></ul><p><u>Stakeholder Engagement</u>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Performs protocol&nbsp; 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>Assists in identifying stakeholders' needs and proposes relevant engagement strategies.</li><li>Contributes to the implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies including citizen engagement and events management.</li><li>Develops, manages, and controls procedures for all internal and external correspondence.</li><li>Researches and assembles information for members of the public.</li><li>Distributes relevant educational material on the activities of the Ministry/Department.</li><li>Creates and updates a database/directory of stakeholders' contact information, profiles and services.</li><li>Performs other related duties as required.</li></ul>
Key Competencies
<ul><li>Knowledge of current theories and practices in communications research, planning and strategy, and the role of mass media.</li><li>Knowledge of media issues, social marketing theory and practice, communications strategies and implementation and behavioural sciences.</li><li>Knowledge of marketing, stakeholder engagement, citizen engagement, public relations, advertising, promotion and other communications methods.</li><li>Knowledge of modern techniques of news gathering and release.</li><li>Knowledge of key Government policies, National Development Strategies, and priorities</li><li>Some knowledge of the Constitution of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago;</li><li>Some knowledge of the organisational structure of the Government of Trinidad and</li><li>Tobago;</li><li>Knowledge of modern techniques of news gathering/event management.</li><li>Knowledge of protocol procedures</li><li>Skills in project implementation</li><li>Skill in the use of personal computers</li><li>Ability to use e-government technology platforms</li><li>Ability to use the internet for research purposes</li><li>Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of support staff</li><li>Ability to communicate at a high level, both orally and in writing</li><li>Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, members of the media and the public</li><li>Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite</li></ul>