Digital and Communications Officer

Working with a network of 130 churches and projects, using website, email, and social media, but also with an awareness of communities which are digitally deprived, you will manage the digital and general communications of our District.  You will support, and where appropriate provide, pro-active communication, both internal to the District and between our churches and the public sphere.  You will pay attention to target, design, and method, and successfully increase both the public profile of the Methodist Church in our area, and the strength of relationships within the District.

Key Responsibilities

Raise the profile and awareness of the work of the district internally and externally

Ensure communication structures are fit for purpose and fully utilised

Ensure district staff involved in communications are suitably equipped and trained

Establish a set of common resources for all district staff

Identify key stakeholders – who needs to know what when and how and ensure that content

is sent in a targeted way.

Enable people in district and circuits to be equipped to exercise their particularly ministry

and fulfil their calling

Increase the awareness of learning opportunities

Enable officers and other across the district to see new ways of doing things

Enable a flow of relevant information between churches, circuits, and individuals

Better inform churches and circuits about opportunities leading to new activities

Ensure that information which is available to be discovered (primarily the website and social media presence) is of high quality, up to date and easily accessible;

Promote stories of good news (these will largely come from the churches and circuits but can be promoted or supported by the district);

Work with the connexional communications team to manage communication in relation to crisis events.

Key tasks

To monitor and develop a communications strategy and plan for the District which will support the effective achievement of the district development plan.

To support the sharing across the district and more widely of stories and good practice within churches and circuits.

To produce and develop electronic publications for use within the District, including by producing and writing appropriate material and the annual prayer handbook in printed and electronic forms.

To edit and develop the District website and the use of social media, ensuring they promote positive stories of the work of the Methodist Church throughout the District.

To work with the District Administrator to further develop the weekly bulletin and other regular communications from the district to circuits and churches.

To provide support to churches and circuits to help them develop and improve their communications, through networking, facilitating training and other means.

To provide support to district officers to enable their work to be better known throughout the District.