FAQs

  • Purpose
    The External Communications & Public Engagement Officer ensures that the RCHM presents a clear, authoritative, and accessible voice to the public, media, and external stakeholders. This role develops and delivers communications that help the public understand the work of the RCHM and support the College’s strategic goals.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Draft press releases, public statements, and responses to media enquiries.

    • Develop accessible public-facing copy that explains the RCHM’s role, values, and activities.

    • Work closely with the CEO and President to align communications with strategic priorities.

    • Create regular outward-facing content (website updates, articles, campaigns).

    • Support the delivery of advocacy and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

    • Ensure that all external communications are accurate, evidence-informed, and professional.

    Skills & Experience

    • Professional background in communications, PR, or public affairs.

    • Strong writing skills with ability to translate complex information into clear public messaging.

    • Understanding of healthcare regulation, membership bodies, or complementary medicine sectors (desirable).

    • Experience managing media enquiries and sensitive issues.

    • Confident, collaborative, and able to work to tight deadlines.

    Reporting

    • Reports to: CEO.

    • Works closely with: President, Council Officers.

  • SOP: Press Enquiries

    • All external queries logged on receipt.

    • Initial holding response sent within 24h.

    • Draft response prepared in consultation with CEO/President.

    • Final approval by CEO (and President if required).

    • Response logged and archived.

    SOP: Press Releases / Public Statements

    • Draft prepared by Comms Officer.

    • Review and approval by CEO + President.

    • Distributed via email to press contacts, published on RCHM website, and logged in comms tracker.

    SOP: Regular Public Copy

    • Frequency: Monthly or quarterly (to be defined in deliverables).

    • Channels: RCHM website, blog, newsletters, or social media if applicable.

    • Content focus: public education, advocacy, explaining the role of Chinese herbal medicine.

    SOP: Crisis Communications

    • Trigger: adverse event, policy challenge, or reputational issue.

    • Draft statement within 4h of request.

    • Approval by CEO + President.

    • Public release via official channels, logged immediately.

  • Week 1–2

    • Introduction to RCHM history, mission, and strategic plan.

    • Meeting with CEO and President to set initial priorities.

    • Access set up for RCHM website, press lists, comms archive.

    Weeks 3–4

    • Review past press releases, public statements, and council reports.

    • Draft initial external copy (e.g. short web article or explainer).

    • Shadow CEO/President in preparing one public-facing communication.

    Month 2

    • Take ownership of preparing routine external content (with CEO/President oversight).

    • Establish comms tracker for press/media interactions.

    • Begin relationship-building with relevant stakeholders or media contacts.

    Month 3

    • Deliver first quarterly comms report to Council.

    • Confidently handle routine press enquiries with CEO sign-off.

    90-Day Goal: Officer is able to independently manage external comms outputs, respond to queries promptly, and create public-facing copy aligned with strategy.

  • Parties: The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) & [Name]
    Role: External Communications & Public Engagement Officer

    Scope of Work

    • Provide professional communications services to support RCHM’s public voice.

    • Draft and distribute external statements, press releases, and copy as agreed.

    • Respond to media and public enquiries with professionalism and accuracy.

    • Ensure alignment with the RCHM strategic plan and direction of CEO/President.

    Deliverables

    • [X press releases per quarter].

    • [X pieces of public-facing copy per month/quarter].

    • Timely response to media enquiries (within 24h).

    • Quarterly report to Council on comms activity.

    Fees & Payment

    • [Insert agreed structure].

    • Invoiced [monthly/quarterly].

    Duration

    • Initial contract: [X months] from [start date].

    • Review at 6 months.

    Confidentiality & GDPR

    • All media and public information managed with confidentiality and accuracy.

    Termination

    • Either party may terminate the contract with [X weeks’] written notice.

  • Routine Outputs

    • Press releases for significant RCHM activities, events, or policy updates.

    • Regular public-facing articles or updates explaining RCHM’s work.

    • Maintenance of external communications log.

    Responsive Outputs

    • Media responses within 24h of request.

    • Crisis comms drafted within 4h of issue arising.

    Strategic Outputs

    • Communications to support campaigns, advocacy, or strategic priorities.

    • Quarterly comms report for Council review.

  • Tone of Voice

    • Clear, authoritative, professional.

    • Accessible to a lay audience without oversimplifying.

    • Evidence-informed and aligned with healthcare professionalism.

    Style Conventions

    • UK spelling.

    • Dates written as 26 August 2025.

    • Organisation referred to in full on first use: Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

    Approval Process

    • Draft → CEO review → President review (if strategic statement) → Release.

  • External Communications Report – Q[ ] [Year]

    Overview

    • Summary of external comms activity this quarter.

    Outputs Delivered

    • Number of press releases.

    • Number of media enquiries handled.

    • Number of public-facing articles/pieces produced.

    Issues & Risks

    • [e.g. recurring negative press themes, lack of public awareness].

    Recommendations

    • [e.g. proactive campaign needed, new messaging approach].