Communications & Engagement Consultant (Interim)

Job purpose/ Brief:

Requirements
This is a full-time hybrid role, for West Sussex County Council.

West Sussex County Council Service is looking for a communications expert to consult on the development of an engagement plan for the SEND & Inclusion Change Programme. The consultant will advise on the effective creation and co-ordination of holistic messaging to embed new ways of working that will transform services for SEND support. This includes two DfE funded programmes that are running to Summer 2025. The consultant will work in partnership with key officers to engage with a broad audience of stakeholders including schools, professionals and parent / carers.

Statement of Works

• Implement an effective approach for the Change Programme to achieve its milestones and objectives through communication and engagement
• Develop and co-ordinate communication activities and advise on the delivery of complex and varied messages via a variety of channels
• To be accountable to a WSCC Strategic Steering Group, and report progress to DFE as part of the Programme and DfE funding requirements
• Collaborate with key officers to develop key messages in relation to the SEND & Inclusion Change Programme
• To advise senior leads on strategic narratives with stakeholders, partners and teams.
• Compile, analyse and produce intelligence to show impact and completion of objectives
• To align with WSCC Communications Standards and Guidelines
• To leave a sustainable communications approach for SEND & Inclusion to be managed as BAU

Experience Needed:

• Experience of working in a communication or engagement programme during a time of change

within local government or an Education setting

• Deciphering key messages from statutory information and conveying it in a compelling way through briefings, presentations, web content and other communication materials
• Collaborating with local government and education partnerships and handling difficult messages as well as sharing success in a proactive way
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders
• Experience of using digital media to communicate with stakeholders

Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Provision of consistency of message with the appropriate tone
• Working under pressure and meeting deadlines
• Confidence to adapt or introduce new channels or communication tools
• Proficiency in content creation and social media management on a wide range of platforms
• Project planning and change management
• Knowledge of Behavioural Insight

Length of contract - 15 months

Rate - £350

IR35 Status - Outside IR35