28525 - Communications Officer (Strategy and Planning)

£25,893 - £29,729
1
12 Months
London
London
102 PETTY FRANCE (MOJ) LONDON, SW1H 9AJ
EO
D
Fixed Term
For a period of up to 18 months with option to extend
Full Time
Communications / Marketing

About HMCTS:

HM Courts and Tribunals Service is responsible for the management and administration of the justice system. Our courts, across the criminal, civil and family jurisdictions, run throughout England and Wales. Our tribunals are based throughout the United Kingdom, and include the non-devolved jurisdictions in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

We operate on the basis of a partnership between the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals, each of whom have specific leadership responsibilities entrenched in statute. As an Agency established underneath that partnership, our aim is to run an efficient and effective courts and tribunals system, enabling the rule of law to be upheld, and providing access to justice for all.

What we do:

We handle about 4.4 million cases, claims and appeals a year; and operate from 338 courts and hearing centres. We currently have over 16,000 members of staff, most of whom work in frontline, operational roles and play a vital role in supporting the independent judiciary in the administration of justice. Together, we are responsible for:

- Providing the supporting administration for a fair, efficient and accessible courts and tribunal system
supporting the independent judiciary in the administration of justice
- Driving continuous improvement across all aspects of the administration of courts and tribunals
- Collaborating effectively with other justice organisations and agencies, including the legal professions, to improve access to justice
- Working with government departments and agencies to improve the quality and timeliness of their decision-making, which will reduce the number of cases coming before courts and tribunals

The Communications Team:

We have structured the HM Courts & Tribunals Service Communications Team to ensure it has the capability to support the demands of a large and complex organisation that is undergoing major change.

We are professional communications leaders: defining the organisation's communications strategy; working with communications partners in the MoJ and Judicial Office; delivering operational communications activities; and enabling others to deliver and improve their own communications.

The team is designed around five core functions:

1. Internal communications

2. External communications

3. Strategic communications planning, insight and evaluation

4. Content and campaigns

5. Communications channels

We provide an integrated communications service - recognising internal and external communications requirements - that supports and enables the organisation's objectives. We listen to the wants and needs of the organisation, our internal clients, as well as those of our stakeholders to ensure that we are effective in communicating.

Underpinning this, we ensure that our systems and processes are fit for purpose, meaning that we can be efficient, consistent and responsive in all that we do. We increasingly use digital communications channels, using audience insight and evaluation to ensure that we have the right channels in place to reach our key stakeholders.

Working with others, the team owns the HMCTS corporate narrative. These are the key messages that we use to tell our story, to establish and promote our identity and vision, and to demonstrate what HMCTS does and seeks to do.

The Communications Officer (Strategy and Planning) will:

Support the work of the Strategic Communications Planning function, including:

  • Design a dashboard that meets GCS evaluation standards and provides visibility of communications performance at HMCTS.
  • Develop an internal communications evaluation template to ensure channels and content are able to be measured in terms of reach and impact.
  • Present complex information accurately, and in a way, that is accessible to others.
  • Track stakeholder perceptions, in collaboration with Ministry of Justice.
  • Design and administer feedback surveys.
  • Monitor channel analytics and produce regular performance reports.
  • Provide advice on evaluation methodology and criteria.
  • Keep accurate financial records for the whole team as needed.
  • Support the induction of new joiners to the team.
  • Support resolution of team-wide IT issues.
  • Look for trends and patterns to help HMCTS communications make business decisions and improve future activities
  • Analyse research and survey results and trends in customer/staff feedback
  • Opinion poll analysis
  • Keep the communications team business continuity plan accurate
  • Keep accurate team reports/rotas (leave, budgets etc)
  • Produce reports with recommendations for improvement
  • Design feedback surveys and record results
  • Produce and maintain planning documents
  • Undertake team administration duties – Records management, organise meetings, take minutes

Alongside this you will also:

  • Be responsible for your personal administration.
  • Undertake actions identified on your personal development plan.
  • Support the wider communications team to deliver shared objectives and the overarching communications strategy.
  • Support operational delivery of tactical tasks (such as running an event, chairing a meeting, organising couriers, completing paperwork).
  • Take personal ownership of an element of the HMCTS Communications Team’s People Survey Action Plan
  • Review the HMCTS Communications Grid on a regular basis and ensure any organisation-wide or external projects are included.
  • Actively participate in Communications Team meetings and lead on at least one session or presentation per year.

You will work closely with:

  • Government Digital Services
  • Design102
  • MOJ Communications evaluation team
  • Customer research and insight team
  • Data analysis team
  • Teams within the Communications Directorate

Essential Criteria:

  • Familiarity with using analytics software and tools for digital channels, interpreting and presenting findings
  • Familiarity with survey tools
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Strong report writer
  • Experience of working with data
  • the ability to analyse, model and interpret data
  • strong problem-solving skills
  • Knowledge or experience of working with:
  • Experience of working in large and complex organisation

    Other duties:

    The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

    Location of Post:

    Please see recruitment details. Frequent travel to other HMCTS sites (at least 4-6 days per month) may be required as part of these working arrangements.

    Application Process:

    We will assess you against the following behaviours at Level 2 during the selection process:

    Seeing the Big Picture:

    Use insight to identify target audiences and partners, support decision making and help inform the overall communication approach. Interpret quantitative and qualitative data to identify stakeholder and audience insights. Provide advice on appropriate digital channels to reach target audiences.

    Changing and Improving:

    Express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, and with sensitivity and respect for others. Design and develop engaging, targeted content and messages suitable for use across a range of channels. Demonstrate an awareness of how channels work together and complement each other.

    Communicating and Influencing:

    Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, reponses and opinions of others.

    Working Together

    From effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.

    Managing a Quality Service

    Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.

    Fixed Term Appointment:

    This appointment will be made on a fixed term appointment, due to the time limited nature of the Reform Programme. For existing civil servants, whilst the role itself is time limited, at the end of the fixed term period, you will retain your permanent status but will be placed on the re-deployment register. Successful appointment on promotion will secure this grade on a permanent substantive basis.

    Secondments and loans will be considered on an individual basis.

    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.

    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.

    Expected week commencing 16th of September 2019

    20/08/2019, 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@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference - 28525.

    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
    Seeing the Big Picture - word limit
    Changing and Improving - word limit
    Delivering at Pace - word limit
    Making Effective Decisions - word limit

    Interview stage assessments

    There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
    Behaviours
    Seeing the Big Picture
    Changing and Improving
    Delivering at Pace
    Making Effective Decisions

    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.