PEACEPLUS - Senior Communications & Media Officer

Role summary

PEACEPLUS - Senior Communications & Media Officer is a role at Education Authority Northern Ireland in Dundonald, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (on-site). Posted 2026-08-24. Experience level: 2-5.

Job title

PEACEPLUS - Senior Communications & Media Officer

Company

Education Authority Northern Ireland

Location

Dundonald, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Work arrangement

on-site

Category

Logistics & Warehousing

Experience level

2-5

Date posted

2026-08-24

Job description

Job Description

Responsible to: PEACEPLUS Project Manager

Responsible for: The Senior Communications and Media Officer will be responsible for leading the direction, development and delivery of a strategic Communications and Media plan for the PEACEPLUS Project, ensuring consistent, high quality, professional support to Education Authority (EA) Directorates, wider sectoral organisations, media and a wide range of stakeholders.

They will lead on the delivery of an annual programme of work, aligned to key Project and organisational priorities. They will also form part of a press and media function for EA.

Job Purpose

The PEACEPLUS Senior Communications and Media Officer will be responsible for supporting the delivery of a modern, professional and high quality communications and media service in line with industry best practice.

They will develop, implement and review an overarching, evidence-based plan for the delivery of communications, campaigns and media activity for the PEACEPLUS Project aligned to an overarching professional framework, and the Communications and Engagement Strategy.

The post-holder will play a key role in providing advice to the PEACEPLUS Project Steering Committee, Project Partners and across other forums as required.

They will lead on an annual programme of work, including a portfolio of campaigns, projects and initiatives, aligned to key communications and Project priorities, with clear objectives, targets, and outcomes.

Communications and Media Officers will work collaboratively as part of a team to ensure key priorities across PEACEPLUS and the wider partnership are delivered, providing cover and support as required.

They will also work in partnership with wider sectoral partners and other stakeholders on key strategic priorities, providing support and advice to a range of staff, and leading on the delivery of key communications outcomes.

A key part of the role will be working closely with schools, youth services, children, parents/carers and wider partners to increase understanding and build confidence in the work of the EA in the delivery of the PEACEPLUS Project.

The post-holder will also build strategic relationships with the media and ensure a timely, open, transparent and responsive approach to a wide range of high profile and complex enquiries and bids in line with EA’s values.

They will play a key role in supporting the development of a coherent narrative for EA and will be responsible for enhancing the profile of the Education Authority with the public, with all of our stakeholders and across all media channels to help achieve our strategic priorities and increase brand awareness both internally and externally.

They will shape and contribute to the development of an overarching Communications and Engagement Strategy and support in implementing new communications structures, contributing to service development.

Specifically, they will be responsible to the Communications and Media Manager and will work closely with the PEACEPLUS Project Manager , colleagues and teams to maximise communications and engagement with partners and colleagues in schools and elsewhere to listen to, understand and promote the voice of children and young people in the work of the PEACEPLUS Project, and champion the corporate vision, values and culture in all plans and activities.

The post-holder will be expected to provide support and guidance for communications staff, including line management responsibilities as required.

The Campaigns and Media Officer’s responsibilities include:

Strategic Communications Planning

Supporting the PEACEPLUS Project Manager to develop a Communication Strategy for the PEACEPLUS Project in line with the requirements stipulated by the Project Funder SEUPB

Playing a key role in the development, implementation and evaluation of the EA Communications and Engagement Strategy.

Accountable and responsible to the PEACEPLUS Project Manager for the development of a Project communications plan setting out key priorities, measurable targets and outcomes, aligned to the overarching Communication and Engagement Strategy and key Project and organisational priorities and objectives.

Developing, implementing and delivering an annual prioritised programme of activity, aligned to the overarching Communication and Engagement Strategy and framework.

Establishing baselines and targets as part of the Project communications plans and reporting on outputs and outcomes on a quarterly basis to the Project Steering Group and feeding into the overall Corporate Leadership Team (CLT)/Board performance reports.

Providing strategic advice to the Project Team and a range of senior staff in relation to complex, high profile developing issues, as well as planned proactive activities.

Working flexibly as part of a team across the Project boundaries as required, leading and supporting key strategic workstreams and issues as required.

Proactive monitoring of the media and the political environment and reporting on PEACEPLUS related issues to the Project Manager, the Head of Communications, the relevant Directorate(s) and Senior Leadership Teams and Board members, as required.

Campaign Management and Communications Strategies

Building, developing and enhancing relationships with a range of key stakeholders, including schools, youth services, children and young people, our staff, parents/carers, sectoral partners (Department of Education, CCMS, CCEA, NICIE, CSSC etc) to strengthen opportunities for collaboration and enhancing the collective message.

Developing, implementing and reviewing Communications plans and campaigns for PEACEPLUS Project workstreams, working closely with the wider team, sectoral partners, and other stakeholders, utilising a range of channels and methods including med