Media Training

Tender description

NICE’s media training requirements NICE spokespeople need to get their message across in even the toughest media interview and are often required to communicate highly complex and controversial information in a hostile environment. The External Communications Team is looking for training providers who can provide media training to spokespeople. We need to ensure that media training sessions prepare trainees for handling a range issues and to further strengthen the way NICE is represented in the media and perceived by the public. We are looking to appoint a supplier to deliver the training at sessions to be agreed over the next 4 years, the contract will be for 2 years initially with options to extend for 2 twelve month periods. Group 1: Corporate spokespeople: Corporate spokespeople include the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Centre for Guidelines Director, Institute Chair, Board members, directors of the work programmes and press officers. The types of topics they are likely to be asked to comment on include (but are not limited to): • Announcements about medicines, whether they will be available on the NHS and which patients are eligible, such as cerliponase alfa for CLN2. • NICE methods and processes and whether they are fit for purpose, such as the on-going public debate about medicines for rare diseases. • NICE guidelines which may make controversial recommendations, such as big changes to current practice, or be seen as ‘nanny state’. Group 2: Spokespeople from guidance development groups This group of spokespeople is quite different to the corporate spokespeople. It is not a fixed group of individuals, rather spokespeople are drawn from the groups that develop guidance on particular clinical or public health topics. They are often healthcare or public health professionals or patient representatives with minimal or no media experience. They do not work for NICE and will be asked to do media work less frequently. When we launch a piece of guidance the job of these spokespeople can be to talk to the media about the recommendations in the guidance. They are usually required to undertake a small number of media interviews over a short space of time. They are unlikely to be called upon to provide any further interviews outside of the immediate launch period. Requirements: Full day training - spokespeople, from either group, with little previous media experience. Half day training - spokespeople who already have some experience with the media will need a lighter touch or refresher session. Ad-hoc training - we may require a shorter tailored session designed around a particular individual announcement which would need to be met within total budget. Budget • £10,000 per annum.