34942- Senior Communications Officer

£30,989 - £41,095
2
12 Months
Wales
Swansea
Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA), Swansea Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN
SEO
B
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Communications / Marketing

About the IMA:

The role of the IMA is to monitor the UK’s implementation and application of the agreements it has made with the EU, and the EEA EFTA states, to guarantee the rights of their citizens living in the UK, and if legislated for in Gibraltar, at the end of the transition period. Establishing the IMA will fulfil a central and crucial commitment that the Government has made in those international agreements.

Further information can be found at

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/854222/WAB_Fact_Sheet_-_IND_MONITOR.pdf

Purpose of the role

The IMA is being set up to be operational from 31 December 2020. We’re looking for 2 dynamic and experienced communication professionals who will be responsible for developing and delivering a comprehensive communication and information strategy for the IMA. You’ll use your creativity and strategic thinking to ensure the strategy reflects the IMA’s objectives internally and externally, with a wide and complex landscape of external stakeholders, including government departments, devolved administrations and public authorities.

You’ll be a problem solver, with skills and proven experience across several communications disciplines. You’ll be able to use these to deploy communications as a lever for change, be that in building and maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders, influencing and persuading senior colleagues on staff engagement, crafting impactful press notices, or creating a campaign to drive behaviour change.

You will also be confident in using digital channels and methods in communications, including gathering insight, producing content and reaching audiences, and evaluating and measuring the impact of your work.

As a new organisation, communication plays an integral part in developing the IMA’s corporate knowledge which is required to have effective decision-making. You’ll support the Chief Communications Officer in designing and implementing systems that encourage effective information management that will enable the IMA to produce, collate and report on its work. You’ll use a range of communication approaches to ensure these are understood and delivered to the public and those working in the relevant organisations.

These are exciting and challenging roles for candidates who can demonstrate excellent judgment, creativity and strategic thinking with a keen eye on delivering results and understanding the bigger picture. The roles provide great opportunities to get exposure to other communication disciplines and develop your leadership skills.

These roles are focussed on communications, strategy, and information management for the IMA. However, the successful candidate may be required to work on different projects as requirements and workstreams of the organisation evolve and mature.

Responsibilities:

  • work directly with internal and external partners within relevant priority areas to fully scope out the communications requirements and how communications can contribute to achieving IMA’s objectives to a clear, achievable timetable
  • identify the communications needs for the strategy, developing measurable communication objectives across the full range of communications disciplines – including press, digital, campaigns, external affairs, internal and branding
  • identify target audiences and partners through segmentation and mapping techniques, commissioning additional research where required
  • set clear communication objectives that strategically align with the IMA’s business plan and policy objectives, embedding evaluation and tracking into strategies and creating robust evaluation criteria
  • use creative solutions to reach target audiences, developing plans and high-quality products that most effectively use resource and budget to reach these audiences
  • have oversight and responsibility for creating quality content for IMA’s online platforms, including website, intranet and social media
  • ensure that all communications functions are efficient and unified to provide a seamless service, which achieves outcomes which are evaluated against strategic objectives and goals
  • work closely with IMA colleagues and the IMA board to maintain an overview of key messages and priorities that need to be communicated
  • provide advice and guidance to colleagues on effective engagement, including writing clearly for target audiences
  • support and implement an effective information management strategy and process
  • manage and mitigate for any potential communication risks and issues to the IMA, reacting quickly and collaboratively with policy colleagues and partners when needed
  • gather intelligence and analysis on EU Exit related issues and future trade negotiations to help inform current and future engagement strategies.

Essential skills

  • a strong understanding of the communication landscape and best practices including knowledge of a wide range of channels and industry trends with specific skills in digital, social media, PR, and stakeholder engagement
  • excellent organisational and prioritisation skills (personal and project management), with an ability to deliver multi-faceted projects to high standards, within tight timeframes and manage high volumes of work for both self and team
  • excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability to adapt style and content to different audiences and channels
  • resilience and flexibility, being able to adapt to and deliver a high standard of work
  • experience of strategic planning, the use of horizon scanning tools to gather and synthesise information to inform the plot for core narratives and activities
  • able to provide advice on stakeholder engagement strategies, and manage the delivery of those strategies once agreed
  • confidence as a leader able to influence senior stakeholders and get the best content
  • customer-oriented with a focus on delivering a high standard of professional service
  • an enthusiastic team-player, with ability to work collaboratively as part of a team to build capability and deliver innovative and insight-based communications; proactive and collaborative in attitude to inspire the confidence of colleagues
  • ability to understand complex and technical policy issues and translate these into a deliverable communications strategy
  • strong understanding of stakeholder engagement and confidence in working with stakeholders to achieve results
  • a proven track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with a range of internal and external partners at all levels
  • able to demonstrate experience and the technical ability required to operate in a digital environment
  • evidence-driven, with a clear understanding of how insight is used to deliver successful outcomes
  • commitment to personal development
  • an understanding of and commitment to diversity and equality, and how this applies to this role

Technical skills

You are expected to be proficient in the Government Communication Service competencies (Insight, Ideas, Implementation, Impact) at SIO level, particularly skills and knowledge listed as CORE and those listed in the ‘Campaigns and marketing’ discipline. These are found in the Government Communication Professional Competency Framework.

You’ll also be expected to be capable in at least 2 of the following Government Communication Service (GCS) disciplines to SIO level: internal communications, external affairs, media, and marketing. These are detailed in the GCS Careers Framework.

Security

  • Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
  • Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Check. Successful candidates may be required to undertake CTC security clearance in the future.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Technical and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and Statement of Suitability. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please note that your Statement of Suitability should be no more than 1000 words. It should highlight the reason you are interested in the role and how your experience makes you the best candidate. You should also make particular reference to the essential skills and technical skills set out above.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview

Please note we do not consider CV applications – you must apply for this role through Civil Service Jobs.

Reserve List

If we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade.

Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non-EEA nationals. Further information on whether you can apply is available here.

Note to existing Civil Servants

The IMA welcome applications from suitable applicants. Please note that the IMA is not a Civil Service employer and so any current Civil Servants recruited on a permanent basis will cease to be Civil Servants. This means you would not retain your terms and conditions or continuity of service.

Job Contact

Set up of the IMA is being sponsored and supported by the Ministry of Justice. Should you have any questions, or wish to discuss anything in more detail, please contact IMA.jobs@justice.gov.uk

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these Civil Service behaviours during the selection process:

  • Managing a quality service
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together
  • Seeing the bigger picture

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Rydym yn croesawu ac yn annog ceisiadau gan bawb, yn cynnwys grwpiau sydd wedi’u tangynrychioli yn ein gweithlu ar hyn o bryd, ac rydym yn ymfalchïo mewn bod yn gyflogwr o safon uchel sy’n denu llawer o ymgeiswyr. Ewch i https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity i gael rhagor o wybodaeth am sut rydym yn hyrwyddo amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant yn y gweithle.

Desirable

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits,retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

1-      To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);

2-      To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk);

3-      To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Grading Structure Review

The Ministry of Justice is currently undergoing a review of posts which are currently graded at Band A to realign our grading structure with the majority of the wider Civil Service.

Posts advertised at Band A may be graded at either Grade 6 or Grade 7 once the review has taken place.  

Virtual interviews are anticipated to commence from 27 July 2020

10/07/2020, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 34942.

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

  • You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
  • You were studying abroad
  • You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing - 500 word limit
Seeing the Big Picture - 500 word limit
Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 1000 word limit
Technical Skills
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Insight (core and campaigns & marketing) - 500 word limit
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Ideas (core and campaigns & marketing) - 500 word limit
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Implementation (core and campaigns & marketing) - 500 word limit
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Impact (core and campaigns & marketing) - 500 word limit
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Internal Communications - 500 word limit
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
External Affairs - 500 word limit
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Media - 500 word limit
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Marketing - 500 word limit

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Seeing the Big Picture
Technical Skills
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Insight (core and campaigns & marketing)
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Internal Communications
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
External Affairs
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Media
Technical - GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework / Career Framework
Marketing
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· UK nationals

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.