30905 - External Affairs Manager
We are aiming to interview on the 19th of December 2019.
Job Description:
We’re looking for an ambitious External Affairs Manager to join our award-winning Communications team at the Ministry of Justice. The MoJ is a major government department at the heart of the justice system and our priority work ranges from prison reform to modern justice and support for victims. We have a strong focus on innovation and making a difference in people’s lives.
A dynamic and creative person, you will shape the way the Ministry of Justice communicates with its external stakeholders on high profile issues. The role is ideally suited to someone who likes working across multiple communications disciplines, with excellent judgment, an understanding of how our stakeholders impact and are impacted by the news agenda and an interest in how our policies are understood and talked about outside of the MoJ.
You will work on issues that change people’s lives, using your initiative and natural people skills to build relationships with the organisations and individuals who reach the public. For this role, an ability to build credibility with people outside of the department is a must and you will frequently be asked to represent the department. Your meticulous organisational skills will enable you to deliver high profile Ministerial events and visits (including roundtables) when requested. You will also have an opportunity to help shape our future external affairs strategy and to work on exciting and high profile announcements. This is a critical role, which will involve working closely with teams across the MoJ, particularly the press office with whom you will often work hand in hand.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Advise on approaches to stakeholder engagement, including establishing trusted relationships with key professional bodies, business groups, pressure groups and commentators.
- Provide timely and well-considered advice to ministers and senior civil servants regarding our stakeholder communications approach, including possible announcements and media appearances.
- Horizon scan for opportunities and risks for our relationships with key external stakeholders.
- Help to deliver an external affairs strategy that is delivered at pace, intelligence-led and meets agreed objectives.
- Deliver high profile events and visits for ministers with a strong external stakeholder focus.
- Build peer and senior relationships with government partners and civil service colleagues to ensure the successful delivery of external affairs that supports our wider communications objectives.
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES
- A talented communicator, attracted by the prospect of a new role you can make your own.
- Impeccable organisational skills, with previous experience in organising high profile events preferable
- Experienced in segmenting audiences and developing innovative channel plans.
- A strong track record of success in managing relationships around complex issues.
- Excellent management skills and political awareness.
- Alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit our work. Previous experience in working with the media would be helpful.
- Excellent writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical skills – including effective use of insight and evaluation.
- Eager to get stuck in, confident in a fast-paced environment pace and willing to learn and adapt.
- Excellent judgement and creative flair.
- Able to understand complex and technical policy issues and translate these for different audiences.
- Motivated to work in a fast-paced, highly-motivated professional team.
- An enthusiastic team-player with a proactive and collaborative attitude.
Application process
We will be using success profiles to assess your communication and delivery abilities.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and provide examples of Civil Service behaviours (PDF) and competences based on the Government Communication Professional Competency Framework (PDF).
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these Civil Service behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and influencing
- Delivering at pace
- Seeing the bigger picture
Technical skills
You are also expected to be proficient in each of the Government Communication Service (GCS) competencies to Band B (SEO) level. These are found in the Government Communication Professional Competency Framework.
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please note that your personal statement should demonstrate your suitability in no more than 800 words that highlights 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 requirements, behaviours and technical skills set out above.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
Further information
- Job title: External Affairs Manager
- Directorate: Communications and Information Directorate
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Grade: Band B
- Working hours: Full time, Job share, Flexible working
- Location: 102 Petty France, London
For more information about the role please contact: samantha.abrahams@justice.gov.uk
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.
09/12/2019, 23:55 hours.
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.
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
Interview stage assessments
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.