May 10

Dear Applicant

Recruitment of Information Officer

Thank you for your interest in this position with The Prostate Cancer Charity.
This downloadable application pack contains the job description and person
specification for the role, as well as some information about our employment benefits.

Applications should be made using our Application Form, which can be completed
and submitted online or downloaded from our website. If you would like to receive a
hard copy in the post, please contact us on 020 8222 7622. In your application, do
ensure that you make clear the responsibilities you have held in the past and how
they match the person specification. Please note that we do not accept CV’s.

The salary for this post is £30,500 – £32,400 per annum, pro rata. The post is for a
fixed term contract for 6 months

Applications can be emailed to HR@prostate-cancer.org.uk or sent by post to Human

Resources, The Prostate Cancer Charity, 1st Floor, Cambridge House, 100
Cambridge Grove, Hammersmith, London W6 0LE. The closing date is Monday 14th
June at 5 p.m. We will be holding interviews on Monday 28th June.

In endeavouring to keep costs to a minimum, we may not be able to respond to each

and every application. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing
date, unfortunately you will not have been shortlisted for an interview on this
occasion.

If you have any queries at all about the role, please do not hesitate to email the HR
team at HR@prostate-cancer.org.uk. I look forward to receiving your application and
would like to thank you for your interest in the Charity.

Yours sincerely

Sabrina Puran
Human Resources Officer
JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Information Officer (fixed term contract – 6 months)

Reports to: Information Manager

Hours: 37.5 hours/week.

Location: The post will be based at the Charity’s Head Office,

Hammersmith, London, W6

Job Purpose:

To research, write, and update content for the Charity’s information resources, ensuring
they meet the needs of people affected by prostate cancer, are accessible and evidence
based.

To provide an information service for internal and external enquiries about prostate cancer
and prostate health.

1. Team

The Information Team sits within the Services Team and is part of the wider Operations
and Marketing Communications Department. The team produces award-winning
information about prostate cancer and prostate problems in print and online. The team
actively promotes The Prostate Cancer Charity’s information at conferences and other
external events and provides a specialist prostate cancer information service to internal
staff.

2. Organisation chart

Information
Manager

Information Information Information

Officer Officer Officer

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3. Duties and key responsibilities

• To research, write and update information on prostate cancer and prostate health, in
line with recognised quality guidelines and in-house production processes.

• To work with the Design Officer and Website Editor to produce this information in print,
on the Charity website and in other appropriate formats.

• To work proactively and collaboratively with health professionals and people affected
by prostate cancer to review our information and help develop the information service,
ensuring our information is evidence based and relevant.

• To research the needs of the Charity’s target audiences – men affected by prostate
cancer, family and friends, the general public and health professionals. Working with
the Information Manager to make sure this information informs the development of new
and existing information materials.

• To work collaboratively with the Health Services Liaison Manager to build links with
health professionals and develop effective working relationships to help review and
promote The Prostate Cancer Charity information.

• To gain and develop knowledge of prostate cancer, to keep up to date with

developments in the field and to provide a specialist prostate cancer information
service to internal staff.

• To contribute to a current awareness service of the latest published research to health

professionals via the Charity’s website.

• To attend external conferences and events and to promote the Charity’s information
materials and to work with the Health Services Liaison Manager to maximise
distribution within the NHS.

• To help maintain and develop a small library of books, journals and audiovisual
materials, including handling journal subscriptions.

4. General Responsibilities

• Contribute to team meetings and organisational priorities

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting the role
• Carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the
broad remit of the post
• Abide by organisational policies and practices, and the Charity’s UNITED values
• Support diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace

June, 2009

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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Information Officer
This person specification sets out the essential, minimum qualities we are seeking for this
post. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the criteria. You
may include voluntary, unpaid and paid work.

Criteria Criteria tested at

Skills and . Application Interview Test
Abilities
• Ability to turn complex health information into 9 9
easy to understand English.
• Literature searching skills using medical 9 9
databases.
• Ability to gain an in-depth understanding of
medical and health-related information. 9
• Verbal and written communication skills. 9
• Proof-reading skills. 9
• Ability to work to tight deadlines. 9 9
• Ability to work independently and 9 9
collaboratively.
• IT skills including working knowledge of 9
Word, Excel, internet and databases.
• Ability to represent the Charity at external
events and liaise with health and other
professionals at all levels. 9

Experience

• Researching health information using 9

medical databases and the internet to obtain
evidence-based information.
• Proven experience of producing information
from the research stage, through to writing, 9 9
external review and liaising with designers
and printers.
• Solid experience of communicating complex
health information to a lay audience in a
9 9
written format.
• Working in a voluntary or healthcare sector
and of working with volunteers.
9
Education,
training,
qualifications
• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a 9
relevant field.
• Evidence of continuing professional 9
development in a relevant field.

Created on 25/05/2010 10:52:00

Knowledge Application Interview Test

• An understanding of the NHS and its 9 9

services.
• An understanding of information production 9 9
and accessibility guidelines such as RNIB’s
‘See it right’ guidance, DISCERN guidelines
and the Plain English Campaign guidelines.
• Up-to-date knowledge of the health 9 9
information field.
• Knowledge of and commitment to diversity. 9
Other
requirements

• Support diversity and equality of opportunity 9

in the workplace.
• Willing to travel to conferences and stay
overnight, up to four times a year. 9
• Enthusiasm and willingness to be flexible in 9
achieving targets and outcomes.
• Commitment to the Charity and our UNITED 9
Values.

Desirable

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in 9

Information Science, Health Information or a
similar subject

Date Signed: Jobholder

written:
Print Name:

Signed: Line Manager

Print Name:

Created on 25/05/2010 10:52:00

Information for applicants

About the Charity

The Prostate Cancer Charity is the UK’s leading charity working with people affected by
prostate cancer. We fund research, provide support and information, and campaign to improve
the lives of men with prostate cancer. Our aim is to raise awareness of prostate cancer so that
everyone can talk more openly about it and people will recognise the significance of this
disease.

We provide the most comprehensive range of services of all the prostate cancer charities. We
provide vital support for everyone affected by prostate cancer; concerned and diagnosed men,
their partners, friends and families.

The Charity is a key member of the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action - a collaboration of 24
charities, patient groups and professional organisations - campaigning on prostate cancer.

The Charity has a professional team of around 80 staff, led by the Chief Executive, John Neate,
and based in offices in Hammersmith, West London and in a small office in Glasgow.

Origins

The Prostate Cancer Charity was set up in 1996 with the broad remit of improving the care and
welfare of those affected by prostate cancer.

The Charity was founded by Professor Jonathan Waxman in response to the urgent need to
increase investment in prostate cancer research and to raise public and political awareness of
a long neglected disease.

You can find out much more about the Charity, read our strategy, download our report and
accounts, as well as learn much more about our range of activities on our website
www.prostate.cancer.org.uk

Prostate cancer key facts

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men

• 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.

• 1 in 10 men will get prostate cancer

• African Caribbean men are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than
white men of the same age.

Vision

A world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer

Mission

Fighting prostate cancer on every front – through research, support, information and
campaigning.

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Information for applicants

Benefits information
Hours Full time/37.5 hours per week.

Performance related The Charity currently operates a Performance and Development System
pay acting as the basis of a performance related pay (PRP) scheme.

Probationary period All positions are subject to a satisfactory probationary period of six
months.

Annual leave There is an annual entitlement of 25 days per annum for all full time staff,
plus statutory holidays (currently eight in all). Holiday is pro-rated for part
time members of staff. The annual leave year runs from 1st April - 31st
March.

Enhanced Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits for employees meeting certain
Maternity/Paternity service requirements.
Benefits

Childcare Vouchers With KiddiVouchers

The Charity has a voluntary, contributory group personal pension scheme

Pension scheme with Clerical Medical, arranged through an independent financial adviser,
and available from the beginning of employment. Minimum contribution of
3% is required from the employee to achieve matching contributions by
the Charity. Maximum Charity contribution is 5% of salary.

Life Assurance/Group The charity has a group life assurance scheme providing three times’
Income Protection annual salary, as well as a group income protection scheme.
Schemes
Sick Pay There are up to two weeks full pay during the probationary period. After
the probationary period, there can be up to four weeks on full pay and
four weeks on half pay for any 12 month rolling period, providing
appropriate certificates have been produced.

Cycle to Work Scheme A cycle to work scheme is available from the beginning of employment.

Season Ticket Loan A season ticket loan is also available from the beginning of employment.

Staff Forum Our Staff Forum is active and represents the views of staff members
across the Charity.

UNITED values Our UNITED values were developed as a result of a working culture
review and outline the Charity’s working ethos and expected behaviours
of its staff members. They are outlined overleaf.

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Information for applicants

UNITED
We are UNITED in the challenge to improve the lives of people affected by prostate cancer.
They are at the heart of all we do.

Understanding We show understanding of people’s needs and treat

everyone with respect

Needed We are essential and valued for our role

Inspired We are innovative and motivated in promoting the needs of

those affected by prostate cancer

Trustworthy We have integrity and are honest in all we do

Expert We are committed to achieving excellence

Dedicated We enthusiastically work together to achieve the best for

people affected by prostate cancer and our colleagues

UNITED
Desirable and Undesirable Behaviours

Understanding
We show understanding of people’s needs and treat everyone with respect

Desirable Behaviours
- We take time to listen and talk to colleagues so we can understand and value the input
that each person makes to the success of the Charity.
- We respect each other and consider the effect of our behaviour and actions.
-
Undesirable Behaviours
- We are impatient and impolite.
- We do not respect individual differences.
-
Needed
We are essential and valued for our role

Desirable Behaviours
- We show appreciation to everyone who helps us.
- We acknowledge achievements and genuinely recognise hard work and commitment.
-
Undesirable Behaviours
- We dismiss colleagues’ views and imply that their contribution is not needed.
- We have unreasonable expectations of colleagues.

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Information for applicants

Inspired
We are innovative and motivated in promoting the needs of those affected by prostate
cancer

Desirable Behaviours
- We work with a clear sense of purpose and direction.
- We are creative in our work and in finding the best ways to achieve our mission and
vision.
Undesirable Behaviours
- We are not open to suggestions or change.
- We find problems rather than solutions.
-
Trustworthy
We have integrity and are honest in all we do

Desirable Behaviours
- We give accurate, impartial and appropriate information and have the courage to say
when we don’t know.
- We are honest and respect confidentiality.
Undesirable Behaviours
- We undermine our colleagues by not trusting them to fulfil their responsibilities.
- We gossip and make assumptions
.
Expert
We are committed to achieving excellence

Desirable Behaviours
- We take responsibility for own personal development and work with our managers to
ensure that we can deliver as experts.
- We seek out and share knowledge with others to ensure excellence.
Undesirable Behaviours
- We do not pay attention to detail.
- We do not care about ‘getting it right’.

Dedicated
We work together enthusiastically to achieve the best for people affected by prostate
cancer and our colleagues

Desirable Behaviours
- We come to work with a positive attitude and embrace new challenges.
- We are willing to help others by recognising their needs, offering assistance and
providing constructive feedback.
Undesirable Behaviours
- We are detached from the cause and the work of the Charity.
- We are inflexible and avoid ‘going that extra mile’.