SETDAB Senior Communications Officer

About the role

SETDAB Senior Communications Officer

Fixed Term, Part Time 28 Hours Per Week

£37,435 to £44,041 Per Annum Full Time Equivalent

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 30th September 2026

To find out more about the work of SETDAB visit our website.

This is a hybrid-working role contractually based in Chelmsford. The role allows for some home-working with a requirement to attend the office 1 day per Month, in line with business need.

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 31st March 2028.

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

The Role

This role supports the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Partnership Board (SETDAB) by leading and managing the delivery of effective internal and external communications that illustrate and promote the objectives within the Board’s Domestic Abuse Strategy. The role is responsible for delivering complex and often politically sensitive pieces of work to meet the communications objectives of SETDAB.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

The Opportunity

The role is situated within the Southend Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Partnership Board (SETDAB) and will be hosted by Essex County Council.

SETDAB is made up of representatives from agencies and organisations working to join up and better facilitate Southend, Essex and Thurrock’s vision to work together to enable everyone to live a life free from all forms of domestic abuse. The Board is responsible for designing and implementing the Domestic Abuse Strategy across Southend, Essex and Thurrock. SETDAB provides strategic leadership to address domestic abuse by providing a multi-agency framework, common ethos and co-ordinated approach to innovate, drive change and address domestic abuse.

There may be some travel across Southend, Essex and Thurrock involved in this post and therefore a valid driving licence and use of car is required, unless the role can be undertaken effectively by alternative transport arrangements.

Accountabilities

Supporting and advising SETDAB via the Communications Sub Group on all public and professional communications and engagement related activity.
Responsible for managing events and conferences organised by SETDAB, working collaboratively with partners to ensure effective delivery.
Responsible for managing SETDAB media engagement.
Responsible for manging the SETDAB web-based and social media related activity.
Responsible for co-ordinating and managing stakeholder communications.
Work collaboratively to deliver effective partnership communications functions for SETDAB.
Responsible for developing, monitoring and evaluating communications activities
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Educated to RQF level 6 (Degree) or equivalent by marketing/communications experience with evidence of continuing professional development and strong knowledge in relevant professional area.
Excellent interpersonal, writing and presentation skills with the ability to communicate clearly and accurately to a variety of audiences, both internal and external.
Proven project management experience in a multi-disciplinary field within marketing/communications, with strong research and initiative-taking skills.
Proven experience of working in a political environment and an understanding of Local Government and their partners.
Demonstrable understanding of communications channels including print, media and e-communications.
Proven experience in an internal communications environment for a large multi-disciplinary organisation.
Evidence of the ability to develop and sustain effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Ability to work at pace and under pressure.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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