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  7. Communications Officer, ePENlines; Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Specialist Group

Communications Officer, ePENlines; Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Specialist Group

If you would like to be nominated for this role, please complete your details below and we will be in touch to discuss next steps.

Aims and Objectives of the Group

  • The Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (PEN) Group strives to support and represent dietitians working in oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition support in all care settings including the home
  • To facilitate dietitians working in oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition support to share and employ best/evidence-based practice
  • To act as a voice of professional expertise for and on behalf of dietitians working in oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition support
  • To collaborate with other specialist groups of the BDA and external bodies on both a national and international basis on specific projects or tasks to promote excellence in nutritional care

What the post has to offer

As the specialist group Communications Officer, you will work closely with the committee to collate content for our popular ePENlines newsletter. Using your knowledge of hot topics, strategic developments and practice you’ll work across the committee and membership to create and coordinate relevant content for this valued member resource.

You’ll work with the committee to develop an overview of the strategic developments affecting the specialist group from both within the BDA and externally to the profession. Using your knowledge and skills to represent specialist group members interests, advocate for the specialism and the dietetic profession as a whole.

We don’t expect you to do it alone, as Communications Officer you’ll work closely with the specialist group committee and with the support of the BDA staff team to deliver your specialist group aims and objectives.

Through this position you will gain organisation, communication and project management skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to work with colleagues across your specialty, building networks, sharing knowledge and skills.

Main duties and responsibilities

  • Work closely with your committee to plan and co-ordinate content, promoting the work of the group, its members and external stakeholders.
  • Work with the group Social Media and Events Officers to promote group events, awareness days and members.
  • Work closely with the committee to develop member content.
  • Work with the Social Media Officer and Website Officer to utilise BDA and group communication channels.
  • Work with the BDA communications team to promote key campaigns and awareness days. 
  • Work closely with the BDA’s Volunteer Manager, seeking advice and guidance where needed.

Training Support and Resources

As the Communications Officer you’ll work with Volunteer Manager who offers support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the Chair, Social Media Officer and Website Editor who work as a team to set strategy, determine priorities and lead the committee to success.

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 postholder.
  • Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference.
  • Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
  • Regular communications including a monthly volunteer ezine 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.

There are a number of training and development opportunities available, including a detailed induction with BDA staff and governance training to be undertaken upon commencement of each term.

Committee meetings are held regularly 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. 

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 Linda.


Members who support my application

First member

Second member


Declaring conflicts of interest

Council has decided that it is good practice for all members who represent the BDA on outside bodies, who are completing specific pieces of work for the BDA, are executive committee members of specialist groups or members of standing committees to register any interests which may be perceived as potentially generating a conflict of interests with BDA business.

The definition of what needs to be recorded is: the interests of a member which might reasonably be thought by others to influence their actions in their capacity as a BDA member acting on behalf of the BDA. This is consistent with our Members’ Charter and the way other councils work (including the Health Professions Council).

This form will be held confidentially by the BDA Chief Executive and the Honorary Secretary. It will be completed by anyone representing the BDA externally or taking on a distinct piece of work, where the BDA thinks it appropriate that the member complete it. It may be used if a conflict of interests arises and  Council or the Investigatory Committee decides that it needs to access it.

Please complete the following details as fully as possible and declare any possible conflict of interest you may have. Click on either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to answer each question.

I confirm that the information given on this form is correct and understand that failure to disclose relevant information may result in my role representing the BDA being terminated.

I agree that the information I have provided may be disclosed to the Council or the Investigatory Committee if requested.

I acknowledge that, under the terms of my membership of the BDA, I must comply with the rules and policies of the BDA, professional Codes of Conduct and the Members’ Charter. In particular, I will ensure that:

  • I act in the best interests of the BDA
  • I uphold confidentiality and ensure that any information obtained during a visit is used solely for the purposes of the BDA and is not divulged to any person or third party.
  • I conduct myself appropriately and treat all present with equal respect.