34045 - Communications Officer (Prisons and Probation Ombudsman)

Overview of role

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is an Arms Length Body of the Ministry of Justice and investigates:

• complaints from prisoners, trainees in Secure Training Centres (STCs), immigration detainees and probation supervisees; and

• deaths in prisons, STCs, Immigration Removal Centres, Secure Children’s homes, Court cells and probation approved premises.

The Ombudsman receives around 5000 new complaints a year of which around half are assessed as eligible for investigation. The number of deaths in custody requiring investigation is around 300-350 per year.

This communications officer role sits within the wider Learning Lessons and Strategic Support team and supports the Ombudsman deliver the strategic communications plan for the department.

As a singleton post, the role is diverse and challenging and will suit someone that can juggle conflicting priorities and support the wider team when required.

The post holder will need to have good judgement, be open to challenge and be able to present the role of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s office in a positive way.

This is a busy but very interesting post which will suit someone who is self- motivated and well-organised, with very strong written communication skills. Previous knowledge or experience of the Criminal Justice System is not essential but the candidate will need to have sound judgement of how to operate in a small but important Civil Service department.

The PPO is based at the Government hub at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf. You will be expected to spend at least 60% of your week at the office with the rest of the time working at home or commuter hubs once initial training is completed.

External candidates joining the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum salary for the band.

This is expected to be a 12 month fixed term position to cover for the existing post holder, however this may be extended at a later date.

Job Description

To manage both internal and external communications for the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, to maximise the effectiveness of investigations and to share learning from them with the services in remit and beyond, in order to effect change.

Internal communications and web content management:

You will manage a range of internal priority workstreams, advising on internal communications messaging and platforms, long-term strategic communications planning and external reputation management.

You will also support the creation and production of stakeholder communication materials. This will include creating and managing a regular stakeholder newsletter and hard copy materials to be used by other corporate and operational teams in their day-to-day engagement.

You will maintain, develop and create content for our corporate website, using insight and analysis to deliver continuous improvement for this important corporate communications channel.

You will gain a valuable opportunity to work for a growing organisation delivering on an unprecedented scale within insight into how government communicates, develop your professional networks, and have access to a wide programme of learning and development opportunities.

Stakeholder Management

You will develop and drive a range of high quality stakeholder and internal communications activities to ensure our growing numbers of stakeholders and colleagues are aware of corporate priorities and the objectives expressed in our interim Corporate Plan. Working with colleagues across all business areas to develop, manage and coordinate staff communications and engagement activity, advising front-line teams up to and including our Senior Leadership Team and Chief Executive.

You will disseminate messages through a range of established channels and contribute your own ideas for new and better ways to communicate. You will also work with colleagues to design, deliver and evaluate a wide range of colleague engagement tools.

Day to day tasks will include:

• Developing a communications strategy for the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s office and work collaboratively with staff across the office to ensure the action plan is delivered in line with the strategic plan

• Maintaining a social media presence for the office and proactively managing any negative comments aimed at the organisation

• Keep external communication methods under review and advise the Ombudsman on how they can be developed to have greater influence

• Leading the delivery of internal and external communication campaigns

• Managing and delivering the Annual Report process

• Designing the quarterly full staff meeting agenda.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of creating communications materials for multiple platforms, ranging from print to digital media, in a team environment

• Ability to build positive and constructive collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present and communicate ideas and information in a clear and positive way

• Strong planning and organisational skills, including ability to manage a number of competing priorities often to tight deadlines.

This is a singleton post but the post holder will work in parallel with the HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ Chief Communications Officer, who manages media relations for the PPO.

This is a London office-based role.

Skills & Qualifications

Recruitment across the Civil Service changed from July 2019 with the introduction of Success Profiles. Further guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

Your application should include an example where you have demonstrated the skills required for each of the following four specialist behaviours. As part of your application, please demonstrate what relevant experience you have for the role in the free text box at the end.

If you are invited for interview, you will be asked questions relating to the same behaviours as well as strength based questions relating to the role.

Competency Profiles

The following essential specialist competencies of the Government Communications Service (GCS) apply to the role. Further details can be found at https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/gcs.civilservice...competency-Framework-Feb-16-1.pdf

Insight

Level 2

• Gain an accurate and deep understanding of the issue(s).
• Use insight to identify target audiences and partners
• To inform communication objectives, messages and solutions.

Ideas

Level 2

• Develop the communication strategy and plan.
• Select channels and develop key messages and content for target audiences.
• Identify evaluation criteria.

Implementation

Level 2

• Develop and implement effective communication strategies and plans.
• Work with stakeholders and partners to deliver communication

Impact

Level 2

• Assess the impact and effectiveness of communication.
• Review achievement of objectives
• Identify lessons learned and share feedback