Parliamentary & Communications Officer (Paula Bradshaw MLA)

Broadcast and Print Media:

·       To draft press releases, monitor and arrange media coverage, in collaboration of the Assembly Communications staff team;

·       To liaise effectively with all sections of the media, including political and specialist journalists, editors and other spokespeople for external organisations, as                         appropriate;

·       To respond to correspondence and enquiries from the media; and,

·       To identify media opportunities, including the organisation of photo opps / press events.

Other Media:

·       To produce posts and videos (inc. sub-titles) for social media from work in the Chamber and Committees – in ‘live’ time, where appropriate;

·       To communicate responses to Written and Oral Questions from Ministers, with appropriate graphics and narrative for social media;

·       To prepare external, printed communication for constituents, including periodic constituency reports, and localised neighbourhood updates, and organise for their               dissemination;

·       To update and maintain social networking platforms, including dealing with direct messages and providing appropriate responses to posts; and,

·       To update and maintain the website for the MLA.

Community Engagement

·       To liaise with groups within the constituency and the general public on the MLA’s behalf, e.g. on matters regarding the delivery of public services and programmes;

·       To identify and build relationships with business, community and other groups in constituency, including site visits to their premises (post-COVID 19 restrictions,                 etc.);

·       To plan, organise and promote events, including Constituency Surgeries; and,

·       To respond to correspondence and enquiries from lobbyists and representative groups.

Parliamentary Support

·       To attend Alliance Team Meetings on Monday mornings and at other times, when required;

·       To liaise with other MLAs, their staff and Councillors, on issues of common interest, to ensure collaboration and effective communication;

·       To provide support at events in Parliament Buildings, with particular reference to those being ‘sponsored’;

·       To support at meetings with stakeholder and representative groups and produce notes from these;

·       Ensuring that any expenditure on printed material is in line with spending limits and Assembly guidelines; and,

·       Other duties as required in support of the MLA carrying out their Assembly duties.