Communications Officer

Hybrid

Full-time

Fixed-term

General information

Job Title	Communications Officer
Employed by	Live Here Love Here
Reporting to	Head of Communications
Job Purpose	Deliver high impact communications for two key areas of work: the newly launched Climate Minds NI project, and the organisation’s ongoing environmental education work.
Hours of business	Flexible business hours 8am-6pm. Core hours 10am-4pm. Hybrid working policy, 2 days in Belfast office per week
Location	Home / Belfast office
Hours / week	37.5 (see below)
Salary	£28,135
Contract type	3 years fixed term
Application window	Closes Thursday 8^th October 9am Interviews Wednesday 21^st October, in person, in Belfast

Staff are contracted to work 37.5 hours. However, Live Here Live Here operates a 4-day working week of 30 hours with staff benefitting from a paid “non-working day”. On occasion you may be required to work on your non-working day. For further information please email jobs@liveherelovehere.org

Purpose of role

Live Here Love Here is seeking to appoint a Communications Officer to deliver high impact communications for two key areas of work: the newly launched Climate Minds NI project, and the organisation’s ongoing environmental education work.

Please note that this role is 50% Climate Minds NI (funded by the National Lottery Community Fund - Climate Action Fund) and 50% Environmental Education (funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs through the carrier bag levy). The post-holder will split their time equally between these two projects.

Duties and expected outcomes

Directly lead or support all communications activities relating to Climate Minds NI and Environmental Education.
Identify storytelling opportunities in EE/ Climate Minds NI and find creative ways to tell these.
Create relevant EE/ Climate Minds NI content for Live Here Love Here social media channels.
Produce Climate Minds and Eco-Schools e-zines/ newsletters.
Create graphic design content using Canva, and within brand guidelines.
Produce reports, information publications and press releases as required.
Develop relevant EE/ Climate Minds NI content for websites including myEARTH platform (www.myEARTH.org.uk ).
Meet, and report on Climate Minds NI and Environmental Education communications deliverables.
Attend and contribute to Climate Minds NI Monthly Management Group meetings.
Develop and manage relationships with relevant partners, stakeholders and funders/ sponsors.
Respond to all relevant communications enquiries and be responsive to current news opportunities.
Assist with event preparation and associated communications/promotion.
Commission and oversee delivery of external graphic design, videography, photography and print work.
Any other duties as required.

Person Specification

Essential

Educated to Degree level or two years’ relevant experience
Excellent level of English language and proof-reading skills
Strong interpersonal/communications skills with proven ability to produce effective content for different audiences across a range of media
One years’ experience of producing digital communications including social media content, newsletters, and website content
One years’ professional experience creating graphic design content, operating within brand guidelines
One years’ experience’ working effectively with partners and/or stakeholders
Developed ICT skills, including the Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, social media platforms and Mailchimp
Full current driving licence and access to a suitable means of transport to enable you to carry out the duties and responsibilities

Desirable

Media relations experience
Filming or photography experience
Experience of working in the voluntary sector
Knowledge of environmental matters

We ask applicants not to rely on AI tools when preparing their application, we want to see responses reflecting your own experience and voice, demonstrating your understanding and suitability for the role.

General

The person appointed will work from our office in Belfast a minimum of 2 days per week and may work from home the rest of the week. You will also be expected to travel to events, photocalls, meetings etc as required.

IT support and hardware is provided for all staff to enable them to be efficient and effective in their work.
Live Here Love Here operates flexible office hours between 8am and 6pm, with core hours between 10am and 4pm. Given the nature of the work, this role requires flexibility to support communities at their pace and will involve some evening and weekend working. Flexibility for this is vital and time-in-lieu will be offered in return.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Live Here Love Here is a community focussed organisation with a commitment to reducing its impact on the planet. A key approach in achieving this is through Carbon Literacy training for all employees. This programme, delivered in partnership with the Carbon Literacy Project, raises awareness about the climate change challenge that we all face as well as the commitments we can make to behaviour change that will help reduce emissions.
New employees will be expected to attend Carbon Literacy training as part of their induction process and contribute to an ongoing dialogue within the organisation about how we can reduce our carbon impact and improve levels of sustainability.

AUTHORITY
All staff are expected to:

Commission work only in line with company procedures and always obtain best value
Refer any media interest or potential news stories to their line manager
Operate within the organisation’s policies and procedures at all times
Only commission marketing channels (especially print) in line with those agreed by the Chief Executive

About us

Live Here Love Here is an independent charity established in 2000. Through education, engagement and empowerment, we seek to inspire change by connecting people to nature. Activities include:

Climate Minds NI is a partnership project between Live Here Love Here and Inspire Wellbeing, designed to strengthen the link between mental wellbeing and climate action. The project will establish 16 climate action groups across Northern Ireland. Through these groups, excluded communities will be empowered to codesign climate solutions, strengthen their mental wellbeing, and advance climate justice for underrepresented groups

Community Engagement is a positive, people-powered campaign that encourages volunteers to appreciate and care for their local areas through regular clean-ups, biodiversity and community gardening projects. Some of the key Community Engagement programmes are Adopt A Spot, The BIG Spring Clean and Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds.

Environmental Education that focuses on educating children, young people, communities and businesses on environmental issues and inspiring climate action. This includes Eco-Schools and the 30 Under 30 Northern Ireland Climate Change Makers programmes.

Local Environmental Quality work that recognises and rewards well managed green and blue spaces across Northern Ireland, particularly through the Green Flag for Parks and Outdoor Spaces, Blue Flag for Beaches and Marinas, and Seaside Awards.