MCS Group are delighted to be partnering with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in their search for a Comms Advisor for the duration of 3 years (Fixed-Term contract).

This role supports the Corporate Communications Manager (CCM) in delivering effective external, internal, and digital communications to meet strategic goals. Key duties include press office, reputation management, campaigns, and stakeholder engagement. The postholder helps provide a modern, responsive communications service that supports NIFRS’s values and mission.

The Role:

• Strategic Communication Planning: Support the CCM in developing and delivering strategic, professional, and effective internal and external communication plans.
• Reputation Management: Help enhance and protect the NIFRS’s reputation through planned communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Media Relations: Deliver press office functions including media statements, releases, briefings, and managing crisis communications.
• Campaign Support: Create and deliver communications for safety campaigns in line with organisational plans, including social media and creative content.
• Monitoring and Analysis: Provide daily monitoring of media, digital, and political landscapes, and evaluate campaign effectiveness using metrics.
• Brand and Visual Identity: Ensure consistent application of brand guidelines across all communications channels internally and externally.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Support strategic stakeholder and public affairs engagement plans, including with political representatives.
• Internal Communications: Develop and manage internal communications across multiple channels such as newsletters, video messages, and employee engagement events.
• Channel Innovation: Help create and improve internal communication tools and platforms for better staff engagement.
• Digital Media Management: Maintain and develop NIFRS’s website and social media platforms to enhance digital presence and consistency.
• Content Creation: Lead the development of innovative, engaging content for digital, internal, and external audiences.
• Training and Support: Provide media and social media training and guidance for NIFRS spokespeople and contributors.
• Collaboration: Work with communications teams across emergency services, government, and voluntary sectors to ensure alignment and effectiveness.
• Project and Business Support: Assist with drafting business cases, policies, and strategic plans, and provide project support following governance standards.
• Customer Service and Compliance: Deliver high standards of service to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring compliance with legal and organisational policies.

The Person

As the successful candidate you will have the following background and experience:

• Hold a relevant Degree (Level 6) qualification in a relevant subject e.g. Communications, Advertising and Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism or Media Studies.
• Have at least 2 years’ experience working in a corporate communications function.
• Have experience working in a press office environment managing media enquiries effectively.
• Ability to demonstrate developing and implementing communications plans across multiple channels.
• Experience developing strong relationships with internal colleagues/stakeholders to facilitate collaborative communications
• Possess a full, current UK driving license.

Desirable:

• Have experience working in a Communications/Press Office within public sector.

What’s in it for you?:

• Salary: £38,626 – £41,511
• NILGOSC Pension Scheme (19% employer contribution)
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• Car parking
• Gym access
• Excellent annual leave allowance
• The opportunity to gain experience working in a position at the forefront of a public sector organisation committed to supporting their workforce and contributing to organisational success.

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please send an up to date CV via the link provided or contact Meghan Hamilton, Senior Recruitment Consultant on or on email at m.hami.

MCS Group is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for all, being the first recruitment agency in NI to achieve Bronze Diversity Mark accreditation, if you have a disability which means you require a reasonable adjustment to be considered at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us and we will endeavour to facilitate the request.

Even if this position is not right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit MCS Group to view a wide selection of our current jobs

Skills:
comms communications marketing communications manager public sector communications advisor

Benefits:
Work From Home hybrid working flexi time