***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***
About the Royal Naval Association
The RNA is a rank-free membership organisation primarily for serving and former serving RN personnel and their families who are proud of their Naval Service. With our central tenets of Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism and Comradeship, we seek to maintain the naval ethos and enjoy sharing experiences with like-minded people while supporting each other when needed. The RNA was established in 1950 and recognised with a Royal Charter in 1954.
The wellbeing of our members are at the forefront of our resolve to look out for each other and deliver programmes which meet the identified needs of our membership, both serving and retired. Our diverse, multi-generational membership demands agile communications capability, to be engaged in a relevant, increasingly accessible, online, yet meaningful way.
The EM comms & media lead is a new two day per week national role for one year, minimum. It will be an integral part of a small, Portsmouth based RNA Central Office (CO) team reporting to the General Secretary (CEO); principally, it will help us to promote our Shipmates & Oppos (S&O 2.0) mentoring programme, linking better those serving RNA members leaving and seeking with veterans already in work. Start date negotiable, preferred late February 2022, with a first year Grant report deadline of 30 March 2023.
The appointment is needed because we must promote S&O 2.0 as broadly as possible to:
• Increase employment opportunities for our rapidly growing membership, not only those leaving the RN, but those who have already left without jobs in place.
• Realise the benefits of improved multi-generational member well-being and welfare.
• Increase member confidence and social integration across our 266 nationally dispersed branches, community hubs, clubs, and special interest groups.
• Ensure all of this is sustainably enabled.
Alongside its 1,200 volunteers (including 150 welfare officers and advisers) the RNA has a small, scalable team of paid staff, expecting to double the Association’s membership (from 10,000 in 2020) to 20,000 within three years. Having removed subscription-based membership this increase is largely emanating from serving personnel (and family members).
Job Details
- Job Title: Employment Mentoring (EM) project comms lead
- Location: RNA Central Office, HMNB Portsmouth (very occasional travel and overnight stays to support UK events), including working from home possibilities
- Status: Part Time – 15 hrs per week
- Salary: £26,000 FTE
- Benefits: 10% employer pension contribution
- Holiday: 30 working days equivalent plus 8 Public/Bank holidays
- Reporting to: General Secretary (Chief Executive).
Role Overview
The Association is seeking to recruit an experienced project comms lead, possessing a wide range of skills, who is; well-motivated, versatile, can act independently, has established connections within the Naval family and possesses Office, IT, and sound project skills. It would also be essential to have good Naval Service knowledge and a patient approach when dealing with RNA members, who may be unfamiliar with the range of support available.
Role Responsibilities
- Help us to achieve a continued and vital improvement in the way we convey internal information to our rapidly expanding membership; focus on making our comms more accessible to our younger members, but also our elderly, blind and isolated veterans, advancing pipeline projects such as a partnership with Blind Veterans UK, and talking newspapers and magazine
- Survey members/branches for S&O feedback, case-studies and potential support via our multi-media outlets (working closely with our Shipmates & Oppos lead, Plans manager and comms team)
- Query our member Database (by location/gender/trade/ age/rank), to include training and other requirements
- Capture and measure clear, measurable benefits (and lessons) as evidenced, keeping the Veterans’ Foundation informed
- Ensure RNA website hosts relevant, updated links with story and content development
- Help to develop and mature our social media engagement (specifically LinkedIn); to directly support our employment and mentoring project, especially for members transitioning out of the RN and veterans already working in the civilian workspace
- Support regular RNA National and ad hoc events
- Attend project planning meetings with external partners and key stakeholders.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, together with a courteous, flexible, and helpful approach to engaging with people at all levels
- Ability to work flexibly on own initiative without supervision when required, and to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
- Organised approach to work, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to manage a diverse workload, prioritising and delivering tasks as agreed
- Ability to take the initiative, be creative, and solution focused
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint),
- Excellent inter-personal skills and good team working skills
- A pride in and respect for the Royal Navy and an appreciation of its traditions, characteristics, and workings.
Desirable
- Awareness and understanding of the role of charitable trusts and foundations
- An understanding of, and empathy with the work of the Service Charities
- Knowledge of Royal Navy and possessing strong Navy wide contacts
- Knowledge of mentoring approaches and best-practice.
Personal Attributes
- Person-centred approach and good sense of humour
- Effective listener, with enthusiasm, intellect and integrity
- Sound work ethic, with determination and flexibility
- Cultural and inter-personal awareness and sensitivity
- Initiative, subtlety, and the ability to work collaboratively.
How to apply
We invite interested candidates, who meet the requirements, to email their applications. Applications must include:
- A Supporting Statement explaining how your skills and experience fit the role.
- A CV (no more than 2 sides of A4) specifying your qualifications, education, and relevant work experience.
Email your application to admin@royalnavalassoc.com
Closing date: 22 Feb 2022 with a view to interview 24 or 25 Feb 22
