Aims and Objectives of the Group
- Develop and promote a professional specialism within dietetics
- Represent a defined group of members
- To keep Dietitians up-to-date on Paediatric Dietetics as appropriate
- To provide support when requested and able to members and outside bodies on paediatric nutrition
- To raise the profile of Paediatric Dietitians
- To be pro-active in engaging with outside bodies involved in childhood nutrition
- To continue running the Group’s Paediatric Masters Course Modules as both Masters modules with Plymouth University
- To audit our caseloads to provide information on caseload level management.
- To increase links with Department of Health, Food Standards Agency, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal college of midwives, Royal College of Nursing, Community practitioners and Health Visitors association, UNICEF and other relevant bodies
- To help fund activities within the Paediatric Group e.g. development of resources, running courses, support for research and audit
- To organise one study day per year
- To help keep members up to date via newsletter, website (discussion forum), Twitter and any other relevant social media platforms
- To continue updating and printing Paediatric Group leaflets with relevant groups and organisations
- To devise guidelines and position statements as relevant and keep a record with review dates
- To produce responses to relevant topical issues and consultations in a timely and constructive way
- To finance any work of the Group to develop paediatric dietetics
- To promote our diet sheets within the U.K. by attending conferences and advertising
- To encourage engagement of group membership to share in promotion of our profession and group
- To foster similar working relationships with all companies supplying paediatric nutritional products whilst working in partnership where appropriate to inform members and develop new products.
What the post has to offer
As the social media officer, you will work closely with the committee to develop the online presence of your sub group using different social media channels. You will communicate with BDA members, the public and stakeholders to promote your region and the dietetic profession as a whole.
You will have the help of your committee to develop and create relevant content for social media, share your committee and members work, events, resources and successes, including, news relevant to your region.
You’ll work with the committee to develop an overview of the strategic developments affecting the region from both within the BDA and externally to the profession. Using your knowledge and skills to represent sub group members interests and provide education.
We don’t expect you to do it alone; you’ll be supported by the committee to plan content and provide information. You’ll have the support of the volunteering team and the BDA social media team who provide support and guidance.
Through this role you will gain communication, writing, marketing, public relations and project management skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to work with colleagues across your locality, building networks, sharing knowledge and skills.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Utilise relevant social media channels to communicate sub group activities and relevant content to members.
- Encourage branch members to communicate with the sub group via social media, sharing best practice and relevant news.
- Work closely with committee members to plan content, communicate live events and relevant resources.
- Work closely with committee members to engage relevant stakeholder’s social media channels.
- Use the BDA social media guidance and tools to ensure that the sub group use of social media is professional and useful to members.
- Work with the BDA social media team to develop new channels and to seek guidance and support where needed.
- Promote the work of the BDA by getting involved in national campaigns relevant to your region.
Training Support and Resources
As the social media officer, you’ll work closely with the volunteering team and the social media team who offer support, guidance and advice to the social media officer. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the chair and website editor who work as a team to set strategy, determine priorities and plan content.
We have a variety of resources, tools and training available to support this role including:
- Full induction with BDA staff and a full handover from the previous social media officer.
- Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference.
- Access to our social media guidance toolkit and training.
- Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
- Regular communications including a monthly volunteer newsletter with BDA updates and opportunities.
- Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.
Length of service and commitment
You will be elected for a two-year term of office and hope that you will be able to stay in the role throughout this term. There is the option to extend for an additional two-year term. We hope that reasonable notice would be given if you are no longer able to fulfil this role, as we appreciate that circumstances can change.
Committee meetings are held regularly throughout the year and can be attended virtually if required. There is a varying and flexible amount of work in between meetings which is dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed to by the committee.
The specialist group holds a minimum of one event for members a year which includes the Annual General Meeting, it is typical for the committee to attend these events.
Appointment method
To apply for this role please submit a nomination. Nominees must be a member of the group and provide the names and signatories of two BDA members to support their nomination.
If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the role and the nomination process, please contact the group chair, Heather.