JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Public Affairs Officer

DEPARTMENT: Communications
RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Public Affairs

Public Affairs
 Work with the Head of Public Affairs to implement the College’s public
affairs strategy
 Carry out daily monitoring of Hansard and Department of Health press
releases
 Ensure that the President, Council Members and senior managers are kept
abreast of healthcare developments in Government and Parliament,
appropriate to supporting them in their roles
 Prepare oral and written briefings for the President and Council members
ahead of meetings with Ministers, MPs, civil servants and stakeholders
 Liaise with College departments and surgical specialty associations to
identify appropriate initiatives and activities for promotion to key external
stakeholders
 Work with the Head of Public Affairs to assess and meet the information
needs of key external audiences and stakeholders, including contacts
within the DH, NHS and healthcare related bodies
 Organise College presence at political party conferences

Patient Liaison Group

To act as Officer to the College’s Patient Liaison Group (PLG). The PLG was set
up in 1999 to:
support and provide a resource for the College to deliver a professional service
that meets the needs and aspirations of patients requiring surgery;
communicate areas of patient concern to the College and its Council;
respond to requests for comment from Council, and other committees.

The majority of PLG members are lay people, appointed by interview, who have
not had previous dealings with the College.

Specifically the Officer needs to:

• Support and brief the lay Chairperson (and other members where
appropriate) on all relevant matters of healthcare and College activity;
with view to putting together a Forward Plan
• Maintain records of PLG membership and co-ordinate arrangements for
advertising and recruitment of new lay and surgical members
• Make arrangements for the induction of new members
• Take responsibility for the co-ordination of administrative arrangements
for meetings of the PLG including drafting agendas and minutes and
dealing with correspondence
• Administer the PLG’s priority projects outlined in their annual action plan
• Ensure all PLG information on the website is relevant and up-to-date
• Co-ordinate arrangements for PLG representatives on other College
committees and working parties
• Monitor the publication of relevant reports; policy and consultation
documents to which it may be appropriate for the PLG to respond and
helping to formulate responses

Patients and public

• Respond to enquires from patients and the public and provide guidance on
sources of information about surgery, surgeons and particular surgical
conditions (e.g. appropriate websites, support groups, publications)
To carry out any other duties, as and when required by the Director of
Communications and Head of Public Affairs.
 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Post: Public Affairs Officer

Department: Communications

Specification Essential Desirable

Qualifications > Graduate calibre > Previous experience in
and experience > Experience in public affairs medical/healthcare
> Good understanding of the environment
workings of Parliament and > Previous experience of
Government working for a not-for–profit
organisation
> Post graduate qualification in
communications, public
relations, journalism or other
relevant discipline
> Experience of working in
Parliament

Skills and > High standard of computer

abilities literacy (MS Word, Outlook,
Excel)
> Excellent written and oral
communication skills
> Experience of working with
Committees
> Ability to present reasoned
argument in an objective manner
> Attention to detail
> Able to prioritise work and
work to tight deadlines

Personal > Team player

qualities > Good interpersonal skills
> Reliable, highly motivated self-
starter
> Able to work accurately under
pressure
> Able to build relationships with
stakeholders

October 2009