We have passed the deadline for submission of applications for this vacancy. If you have applied and are short-listed, we will be in touch soon. In the meantime, thank you for your interest.
The benefits:
- Salary of £29k – £31k per annum (pro-rata for part-time)
- Employers’ pension contribution
- Work remotely from your home in the UK, or hybrid from our office in Nottingham NG4
- Scope to agree a working pattern to suit your needs
- 28 days’ annual leave inclusive of bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time)
- Access to Cycle to Work scheme through salary sacrifice
Would you like your work to have a direct impact on people’s lives? Do you want to use your communication and organisational skills to help others? Do you love the idea of making a difference and getting paid for it?
TOFS is the only UK charity providing support and information to born with OA/TOF. These congenital conditions can have long-lasting consequences, and our mission is to inform and empower those affected to better equip them to live long and healthy lives. As our Communication and project support officer, you will be responsible for ensuring that people impacted with OA/TOF have access to clear accurate and trustworthy health information.
You will bring some experience and a curiosity to learn and develop in your role. You will enjoy working with a wide range of people and have the skills and ability to engage dedicated volunteers in projects that will benefit our community.
You don’t necessarily need personal experience of rare disease (though it would help if you do), but you do need to be an empathetic communicator, and be proactive and organised. In return we offer a range of benefits and a positive progressive working environment where you’ll be able to make a difference.
Job Details
Job Title: | Communication and project support officer |
Reports to: | CEO |
Location: | Remote, hybrid or office- based (depending on candidate) Occasional travel may be required for team meetings |
Advisable Salary | £29 – £31K FTE (pro-rata for part-time)
|
Hours of Work: | Full time or part time (minimum 24 hours) |
Contract Type: | Two year fixed term contract |
The role
This is an exciting time to join TOFS (Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula Support) as we grow our capabilities and make an impact for those born with the rare condition(s), oesophageal atresia and/or tracheo-oesophageal fistula (OA/TOF). As part of this growth, we’re seeking to expand our portfolio of publications for those born unable to swallow and to review our health information in line with Patient Information Forum (PIF) accredited information production policy.
We are looking for a talented communications professional who will co-ordinate production of a new book and review and improve our health information ensuring high quality evidence-based information is available for those impacted by OA/TOF. Our information is a valued resource for our community and has a significant reputation with health professionals. This role will help keep it that way.
If you are looking for an inclusive, family-friendly organisation which offers flexibility and a supportive culture with the opportunity to develop your skills and progress we would love to hear from you.
The team
The successful applicant will be part of a small and friendly team, reporting to the CEO, and will work alongside a team of committed and passionate volunteers. The challenges of everyday life, navigating the health and social care system and the sheer isolation of having a condition affecting the ability to swallow motivates all of us in the team to do our best.
About you
The communication and project support officer will play a vital role in ensuring that people born with OA/TOF have access to clear, accurate and trustworthy health information. We are looking for a skilled communicator with experience in health-related content creation to:
- Assist with delivery of the PIF-accreditation information process
- Lead on the development of new publications, including a new book: “OA/TOF – Teens and adulthood”
- Support with production of our members’ magazine, “Chew”
The role requires an active and engaging writing style, and a strong understanding of health literacy principles. Effective project management skills will contribute to success in this role and knowledge of creating accessible information will be useful.
Main duties / responsibilities:
OA-TOF – Teens and adulthood book
- Working with the book steering group, CEO and editors to define format and chapter list for existing updated book and new book
- Co-ordinating stakeholder surveys and reporting on findings
- Assisting with recruitment of healthcare professionals to author content
- Defining criteria in line with Patient Information Forum production requirements
- Project managing and reporting on the process
- Recruiting healthcare professionals for clinical review and sign-off for information content
- Sourcing lived experiences for inclusion
- Managing permissions and copyright process
- Writing, editing and proofing and liaising with printers
Members magazine, ‘Chew’
- Working with the editor and volunteers to coordinate content for members’ magazine, Chew, 3 x annually
- Writing, editing and proofreading
PIF-accreditation information process
- Reviewing and updating our print and digital health information in line with Patient Information Forum accredited information production policy
- Writing, editing and proofreading a list of health information content
- Ensuring written content closely follows style and tone guidance, and is produced on brand and to high standards
- Ensuring all communications adhere to brand guidelines
- Recruiting healthcare professionals for clinical review of information content and sign-off
- Communicating with members to help us identify the needs of our information and seeking user input at all stages of content development and review
- Identifying opportunities to improve health information content, making it more relevant accessible and inclusive
- Checking and updating evidence where relevant to ensure information is current and up to date
- Championing accessibility, diversity and inclusion through all activity
- Defining, implementing and maintaining an information production process and review schedule
Also to undertake any other duties as appropriate to the role and organisational requirement-
Person specification
Behaviours/skills
- Enthusiastic and positive, passionate about improving lives of those with rare disease
- Effective communicator, curious to learn and develop in the role
- Ability to communicate complex health information in Plain English
- Tenacious with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Attention to detail, with excellent copywriting, editing and proofreading skills
- Self-motivated, with an ability to work independently and as part of a geographically dispersed team
- Awareness of the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in health information
- Ability and desire to look for continuous improvement opportunities
Experience and knowledge
- Experience of working with health information
- Experience of following Plain English guidelines
- Experience of involving clinicians in the production of health information
- Experience of adapting tone and style to different audiences and channels
- Experience in a content editing/writing role
- Project management experience
Desirable experience, knowledge and skills
- Experience of the Patient Information Forum or other patient information accreditation scheme and working within an accredited publishing process
- Empathy and understanding for those affected by rare disease, and better still, OA/TOF
- Experience of working with volunteers
- Passion for innovation and creativity
How to apply:
You must be based, and hold the right to work, in the UK to apply for this position.
Please send your CV and supporting statement to diane@tofs.org.uk.
The supporting statement (500 words max) should clearly outline how your skills and experience match the responsibilities of the role.
Your application will only be considered if your accompanying supporting statement clearly demonstrates that you have the skills and experience listed in the person specification above.
If you have a health condition that prevents you from following the steps above, please email us regarding alternative ways to apply.
Application deadline and shortlisting:
Deadline for applications: Sunday 13 April 2025, at midnight.
We advise candidates to apply early as we reserve the right to close applications ahead of this date, or extend, if we don’t find the perfect fit.
Applicants will be shortlisted for telephone interview initially and subsequent shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in a competency-based task interview on Teams or Zoom.
If you would like to discuss the role further, please email chief executive, Diane Stephens, diane@tofs.org.uk to arrange a telephone conversation.
Applicants must be fully fluent in both written and spoken English. TOFS is a non-smoking organisation. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Note: We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales.
