Overview

We are taking part in an exciting new project, leading the engagement and communications for the Defra funded, Blue Heart, which is being led by East Sussex County Council.

We’re looking for an engagement and communications lead to work with us over the next five years to develop and deliver the engagement strategy in Eastbourne and south Wealden.

East Sussex County Council has been successful as one of 25 project areas to secure funds under Defra’s £150 million innovation fund. Blue Heart has support from the University of Exeter, Environment Agency, Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board, Eastbourne Borough Council, Wealden District Council, Southern Water, Agile Rabbit, and is working closely with the wider community.

Over a six-year period from 2021 to 2027, the project aims to mitigate the impact of flooding caused by climate change through technology to manage and monitor water levels in Eastbourne and south Wealden. There is a strong focus on working together with communities and local businesses to create a landscape that benefits both nature and people.

The headlines:

• Time and pay: Full time (37.5 hours a week) £35,000
• 2 year contract, with possible extension to 5 years
• Location: Remote but with hot-desking requested with project partners. Ideally the person will live in the project area or be within commuter distance as we’re wanting the person to frequently attend community events and work with local organisations.
•  Start date: After appointment and ideally before the end of September 2022
•  Deadline to apply: midnight 28th June 2022
•  Planning for in-person interviews: 20- 21 July 2022
•  Eligibility: You have the legal right to work in the UK

About the role:

You will work with local artists, creatives, radio makers, communities, and practitioners to deliver the following:

• Support community ideas and initiatives that align with the Blue Heart project
• Facilitate workshops on topics such as ‘funding’, ‘misinformation’ and ‘community media’ to support community development. There is funding to co-deliver these workshops with external practitioners
• Explore ways for water users to collaborate & work together
• Work with 5- 6 people from communities and local businesses to engage regularly with the Blue Heart team as part of the project work group
• Be visible and attend local events to learn about local projects, organisations, and communities
• Support stakeholders to engage and contribute to an interactive web platform which displays information on water levels, stakeholders, & activities
• Establish and grow social media channels
• Making creative and engaging content for social media posts and newsletters to tell stories about the project
• Drafting and circulating press releases
• Submitting case studies for reports
• Updating and maintaining website content
• Work with our external evaluator to monitor and evaluate the communication and engagement activities