Are you looking for a rewarding opportunity that could help influence criminal justice policy? Come join our friendly and growing team! 

This is an exciting and varied role involving building the profile of CJA on social media and other platforms, amplifying the work of our 180+ members and promoting good communications practice in the sector and amongst journalists, with the aim of effecting  systemic change in the criminal justice system.

The salary for the role is £28,000 – £33,000 p.a. depending on experience.

Job Description

Communications

• Shape the development of the CJA’s communications strategy in line with our exciting new five-year strategy (launching in April 2022) and lead on its implementation to reach a variety of audiences including CJA members, the wider sector, policy makers and the public.
• Develop new and creative audio/visual approaches to support the amplification of CJA members’ work and the CJA’s overall strategy, such as podcasts, short films, and blogs/vlogs.
• Produce weekly CJA e-bulletin and promote its distribution to the staff and service users of CJA member organisations to expand its reach and impact.
• Lead the CJA’s social media presence including daily updates on Twitter and develop a presence on other platforms.
• Lead on website management, and work with external website developers on any future redesigns.
• Be the first point of contact for media enquiries.
• Proactively promote CJA campaigns, key messages and events through both traditional and social media.
• Monitor CJA communications and website through analytics/other evaluation tools; assist with reports to the Board and funders and suggest ways to increase our reach and impact.
• Ensure all CJA communications and reports are high quality and persuasive; liaise with external designer for all publications.
• Develop new ways to promote sensitive, constructive and nuanced reporting on criminal justice to journalists and trainee journalists by building relationships and initiating innovative projects with key stakeholders such as the National Union of Journalists and universities to change the public narrative on criminal justice issues.
• Set up and run a communications network among CJA members to share challenges and solutions in media and communications work in the sector.

Engagement

• Act as first point of contact for members and potential members. Visit, maintain contact and build relationships with members to better understand their work.
• Develop and maintain the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database to keep up-to-date and accurate records of our members and other key contacts and to help target our communications and engagement more effectively to meet stakeholders’ needs and interests.
• Promote CJA membership, including identifying and approaching potential new members. Process new member applications and maintain up to date member records.
• Design and distribute the annual member survey and develop other ways to gather member feedback and ideas throughout the year.
• Lead on organising quarterly member meetings with keynote speakers and expert panels.
• Develop innovative and interactive activities for members, such as the new CJA Connections Club, which will use an external stimulus such as a book, podcast, documentary to initiate discussions and learning across the sector.
• Promote the work and good practice of our members through video interviews, building on our Meet the Member blog series.
• Lead on the co-ordination, promotion and development of the annual CJA Awards and Media Awards.
• Support the policy team with organising expert groups, policy forums, roundtables and report launch events.

Other duties

• Provide logistical support for internal CJA meetings and communications.
• Contribute to the general administration and development of the charity.
• Conduct the duties of the job description in accordance with the operational policies of the CJA, including but not limited to the Diversity Policy and Safeguarding Policy.
• Maintain good working relationships with trustees, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders.
• Offer day-to-day support to paid interns through our partnership with the Longford Trust.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required.

How To Apply

You can read more about the job in our Communications and Engagement Officer recruitment pack.

Complete the application form and return by email to  recruitment@criminaljusticealliance.org.uk, marked ‘Private and Confidential- Communications and Engagement Officer.’ Please also return the recruitment analysis form. This will be separated from your application upon receipt. Please mention Journo Resources when you apply, it really helps us out.

We shortlist candidates by matching details on your application form against the person specification, so please make sure your personal statement in the application form carefully addresses this. We’re looking for clear evidence of your experience, skills and knowledge and we’re interested in all relevant experience, including beyond paid employment, that might contribute to your ability to do the job. Please also attach or hyperlink two different examples of your own written work such as a blog, article or press release.

The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on 24 April 2022.  Interviews will be held in the week of 2 May 2022. Please indicate your availability in your application.

If you’d like to have an informal conversation about the role, please email our Director Nina Champion at  nina.champion@criminaljusticealliance.org.uk to arrange a time.

Resources:

• Communications and Engagement Officer recruitment pack
• Application form
• Recruitment analysis form