Kickstart Placement - Comms Trainee

Job Description

This is a Kickstarter Scheme position. These are 6 month placements at 25 hours per week and open ONLY to applicants who have been referred through the DWP & Job Centres.

The Comms team is responsible for protecting and promoting the reputation of the Museum as one of the UK’s most popular visitor attractions and a world leading scientific research centre through the media and key opinion formers.

The team helps attract visitors to the Museum by publicising its temporary exhibitions and events. We also support the Museum’s fundraising priorities and generate coverage and recognition for the cutting-edge research undertaken by our 300 scientists. This team is responsible for all editorial dealings with media. The successful candidate will be fully trained and supported by the team (and have a PR Officer line manager) to deliver the following:

The trainee will help triage and respond to journalist inquiries that come into the Museum – from requests for interviews with scientists to collating facts to contribute to stories. The Comms trainee will help facilitate filming and photography onsite in South Kensington and supervise film crews. They will support on press and commercial events and have the opportunity to draft press materials. They will undertake media training to learn about different types of media interviews, how to prepare for media interviews – how to land key messages and handle tricky questions.

They will have the opportunity to help devise and deliver social content for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and commercial platforms.

They will also have the opportunity to assist on the development and delivery of comms surrounding the return of Dippy, the world-famous Diplodocus cast, to the Museum’s South Kensington site for a temporary installation.

They will help deliver a media briefing email which is received by hundreds of members of staff everyday – this involves collating coverage about the Museum as well as searching news sites for important science and arts news.

The trainee will have responsibility for updating the team’s media database – ensuring lists of journalists to contact are accurate and up-to-date. They will have responsibility for updating the press site with text and images and help provide general administrative support for the team.

Additionally, the trainee will provide support to the Internal Communications Manager to deliver key internal communications products and events. This includes drafting and editing high-quality written content, creating eye-catching graphics, and helping embed the Internal Communications Strategy in the Museum.

The trainee would be expected to work in the Comms team’s office one day a week minimum with flexibility to increase this as needed – this is based at the Museum in South Kensington – Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD. It is possible they may also visit the Museum’s sister Museum in Tring, The Walter Rothschild Building, Akeman St, Tring HP23 6AP.

The trainee should have basic IT skills in Word and Excel. They should have minimum Grade C/Grade 4 GCSE English and have good verbal and written communication skills. They should be organised and prepared to attend to administrative duties with excellent attention to detail.

They must have the ability to maintain the Museum’s confidentiality. They must enjoy working as part of a team and have a flexible and positive attitude as the work will be varied. Ideally the successful candidate will have an interest in the natural world and the media/journalism.

Interviews expected: Week beginning 28 February 2022

Expected start date: Week beginning 7 March 2022

What we offer

You will be invited to attend the Museum’s induction session to provide an overview of the Museum, values, and behaviours. The induction will also include HR (Human Resources) and You, Health & Safety and Safeguarding briefings. You will also be given access to the internal e-learning programme which enables participants to understand data protection, records management, cyber awareness protocols.

You will also be given access to an online app that you can download to your phone from Kite Kickstart. The app resource has been designed to work alongside the Kickstart scheme. Enabling the best career start through professional development, productivity tools, wellbeing & mental health support and onsite instructor led courses as well as an online app, supporting your personal development, wellbeing, and career skills. Your line manager will provide reviews to support your placement providing mentoring and coaching throughout your placement.

The Volunteer and Apprenticeship Strategy Manager will also provide pastoral care and liaise regularly with each of the Kickstart placements to ensure they are utilising the tools made available to them. This will include assistance in developing their CVs, reviewing, and applying for potential opportunities. Instructor led courses will also be available in regards to interview techniques. There is an expectation that opportunities that arise within the Museum will be reviewed and placements will be encouraged to apply where there interest and skills apply.

The trainee will have a dedicated line manager but also be able to rely on the support of the whole team – most training will be carried out by team members as part of the role. The trainee will receive external training in working on the Museum’s media database and evaluation systems, media training (how to handle media interviews/difficult questions from journalists) as well as benefit from presentations and seminars from colleagues across Marketing, Digital and Publishing

• 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
• Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across the country, such as the British Museum, V&A, National Gallery, Royal Academy and Tate
• Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including a free digital Tastecard, discounted cinema tickets and corporate membership of English Heritage sites (including Dover Castle and Stonehenge). For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
• Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
• Staff discounts at a range of local businesses and services
• Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
• Season ticket, bicycle and rental loans
• Eye care vouchers
• Professional development opportunities - We are committed to the professional development of our staff and offer a range of courses to ensure they reach their potential. We also sponsor professional qualifications and job-related professional membership fees.