Communications Executive

Title: Communications Executive

Department: National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA)

Tenure: Permanent, Full-time

Location: St Stephens Green, Dublin 2 - Hybrid

Reporting to: Head of Communications, Operations and Quality Assurance

About National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA)

The National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA) was established in 2012 to create sustainable national clinical audit across the Irish healthcare system. NOCA is funded by the Health Service Executive Office of the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO), and National Centre for Clinical Audit (NCCA) and governed by an independent voluntary Board. NOCA is operationally supported by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). Internationally, clinical audit is a recognised approach to improving the quality of patient care and improving outcomes. Working with the HSE and the Department of Health (DoH), NOCA designs, establishes and supports a portfolio of national clinical audits based on national priorities that include burden of care, variation of care, availability of clinical standards and economic benefit. NOCA advocates for change at a national level, arising from key findings in our audits. NOCA does this by working with senior decision makers at both policy and operational levels within the Irish healthcare system. NOCA promotes transparent reporting and publishes national annual reports for each of its audits well as providing regular reports to health service providers.

NOCA Audit Portfolio

NOCA is the largest national clinical audit provider in Ireland. It has a growing number of national clinical audits and registers. Broadly the audit portfolio can be summarised into four key areas including: Trauma and Surgery, Critical Care, Paediatrics, and Chronic Disease.

Purpose of this Role

The Senior Communications Executive will support the implementation of NOCA's Communications Strategy, enhance stakeholder engagement, and promote the value of national clinical audit. The role will have a significant focus on developing and delivering engaging content for various channels, including social media, digital platforms and events. The postholder will work closely with the Head of Communications, Operations and Quality Assurance, taking ownership of delegated activities while contributing to the strategic direction of NOCA's communications.

Specific Responsibilities

Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support delivery of NOCA's Communications Strategy in line with strategic priorities.
• Develop, write, edit and deliver high-quality content for NOCA's website, newsletters, social media, and reports.
• Manage and grow NOCA's social media presence, ensuring best practice use of tools like Canva and analytics to increase reach and engagement.
• Prepare press releases and support media relations activity.
• Act as liaison with designers, printers and other key suppliers.
• Support campaign creation to engage key stakeholders, including developing ideas and materials with patient and public interest representatives and healthcare partners.
• Monitor, analyse and report on media coverage and digital engagement.

Events

• Support delivery of NOCA events including the NOCA Annual Conference and Clinical Audit Awareness Week, national report launches and workshops.
• Assist with event planning, logistics, promotion, on-the-day delivery and post-event evaluation.
• Represent NOCA at external conferences and events, identifying opportunities for exhibition or promotional activity.

Design and Brand

• Prepare briefs for designers, ensuring alignment with NOCA's brand.
• Deliver smaller in-house design tasks using Canva or similar tools.
• Support colleagues to adhere to NOCA's brand guidelines.

General

• Contribute ideas and improvements to communications activities.
• Ensure compliance with data protection, FOI and other relevant policies.
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Communications, Operations and Quality Assurance.

Qualifications:

• A third-level qualification in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related discipline.

Knowledge & Experience – (Essential):

• Relevant communications experience, ideally in the Irish healthcare or public sector landscape.
• Demonstrable experience producing and managing content for digital and social media channels.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Canva and a working knowledge of website content management systems.
• Experience of editing short videos for social use.
• Proven ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills.

Skills & Competencies – (Desirable):

• Experience with newsletter/email marketing tools such as Poppulo.
• Familiarity with Freedom of Information processes.
• Experience of editing longer format videos for use on the website, at report launches or similar channels.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to deliver a presentation at interview stage.

We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application — we'd love to hear from you.