Communications Officer (Fixed- term for 2 years)

Communications Officer (Fixed- term for 2 years)

This post is funded as part of the Protecting Shared Waters project supported by PEACEPLUS, a Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

NI Water requires a Communications Officer to work alongside the Project Team. The project aims to promote cross-border, collaborative partnerships designed to improve and manage water body status, using nature-based solutions, under the Water Framework Directive, and support continued peace and reconciliation through collaborative working and community empowerment.

The role of the Communications Officer will be to provide communications support to the Project Team (NI Water and external partners) in the form of stakeholder engagement, production of digital and print materials for a variety of audiences and the development and implementation of a PR strategy for the duration of the project.

The postholder will work closely with the Project Team, the NI Water Communications Team Project partners and a Communications Consultant. The Postholder will be expected to travel occasionally to locations throughout Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The postholder will report directly/ jointly to the Protecting Shared Waters Project Manager and to the Project Communications Manager. Line Manager responsibilities will be with the Project Manager, Protecting Shared Waters with day to day mentoring support and guidance from the Project Communications Manager and the rest of the Comms Team. They will also have a direct link with the Project Officers (employed by the Project Partners) working on behalf of the Project, ensuring alignment of objective and activities, and close alignment to the proposed Project Communications Strategy. The postholder will support the Project Communications Consultant by providing a liaison point between the partners and the Consultant. They will co-ordinate material and produce copy for the production of communication assets.

Applicants MUST be able to demonstrate in their application and where necessary at interview:

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

1. A third level qualification in a relevant discipline is required i.e. Communications, Marketing, PR or public affairs AND a minimum of one years' experience working in a press/ marketing/ public affairs environment to include:

• Planning, production and implementation of variety of content for social media channels, including website management.
• Experience of writing news releases, articles for publication and producing ezines
• Experience of using digital marketing tools such as WordPress, CRM databases and Google Analytics. OR A minimum of three years' experience working in a press/ marketing/ public affairs environment to include:
• Planning, production and implementation of variety of content for social media channels, including website management.
• Experience of writing news releases, articles for publication and producing ezines • Experience of using digital marketing tools such as WordPress, CRM databases and Google Analytics.

2. A minimum of one years' experience of developing and delivering presentations to a variety of audiences.

3. As this post requires you to travel on occasion on official duty throughout Northern Ireland you must have a full driving licence or access to a reliable means of transport which will enable you to fulfil your responsibilities. This is an operational requirement and is essential to meet business needs.

4. A working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.

What is on Offer

Salary

This role offers a competitive remuneration package with a salary scale of £29,863 to £36,499 per annum (further pay award pending).

Location

Westland, 40 Old Westland Road, Belfast, BT14 6TE

Or

Seagoe Office, Unit 41, Seagoe Industrial Estate, Craigavon BT63 5QE

What we Offer

• Generous annual leave and public/privilege holidays
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Hybrid Working (applicable to some of our roles after three months following onboarding and training)
• Occupational sick pay
• Employee assistance programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• One of the largest corporate volunteering schemes in NI
• Award winning health and wellbeing programme which focuses on supporting four key area of employee health; Physical, Mental, Social and Financial

How to Apply

To submit your application, please click the APPLY icon.

For additional information about the role please download a Candidate Brief, available below.

Closing date for submission of Applications: Tuesday 5th May .00am

Interview Dates: Friday 15th May 2026 or Monday 18th May 2026