59896 - Communications Officer - Midlands Regional Support Unit

£30,451 - £34,105
1
12 Months
West Midlands
Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM PRIORY COURTS 6DW BIRMINGHAM, B4 6DW
HEO
HEO
Fixed Term
Up to 12 Months
Full Time
Operational Delivery

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Background

You will have a key role in coordinating and delivering communications in the Midlands Region. You will work within a small team to shape and deliver quality communications and engagement activity aligned to business areas and the organisation’s strategic and operational priorities.

The key purpose of the role

The Communications Manager will work within the team and report to the Head of Midlands RSU Business Support, supporting operational communications and working with various teams to write and produce content for different channels. You will manage communications, ensuring that products are regularly reviewed and updated, and that they are consistent, approved and made available to the wider Region. You will also play a key part in the delivery of corporate channels.

Other duties:

We are a highly interdependent team and the postholder will be expected to work flexibly and undertake any other duties reasonably requested which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Key Interactions:

  • Operations
  • Senior Leaders
  • Key internal policy and project leads

Essential Skills & Criteria:

  • Strong writer, who can draft and edit content for a range of channels and audiences.
  • Can see ways of presenting the same content in creative ways.
  • This post is a varied and busy role within the Regional Support Unit, the candidate must be capable of managing own workload
  • The successful candidate will work closely with Midlands senior managers, regional change projects and others to ensure that key messages are identified, planned, drafted and communicated to staff and stakeholders in an appropriate and effective way.
  • Take forward communications activities as requested by the Midlands management team.
  • Liaise closely with the National Communications Network to support communication and engagement strategies, ensuring alignment between Midlands and national communications.
  • Identify and lead regular activity to gather audience insight and apply findings to improve Midlands communications activity e.g. through channels survey.
  • Work with the Midlands management team to create opportunities for them to engage with regional staff. Provide regular guidance to the Midlands management team on their communications approach.
  • Identify communications opportunities and milestones for Midlands projects with the Midlands Transformation team.
  • Maintain Midlands regional communications planner.
  • Oversee all Midlands regional communications channels (e.g. eNews, newsletter, Midlands Communications mailbox, intranet) to ensure that key messages are targeted correctly and in a timely manner.
  • Investigate and introduce new and innovative Midlands communications channels. Keep existing channels under review.
  • Coordinate Midlands VIP visits, drafting timetable and briefing for visiting senior managers (and others).
  • Capable of ensuring content that is compelling and accessible.
  • Can work quickly, filtering out ‘noise’ to see what needs to be done and can produce accurate content.
  • A good eye for images – photos and graphics – and can see how they can help to tell a story.
  • Digitally minded and comfortable using tools such as those with the Office 365 package, YouTube, and the WordPress platform for hosting the intranet. (Experience not essential, but quick grasp of digital channels and tools is desirable).
  • Operational knowledge of the Justice System is desirable, but not essential.

Location of Post

The successful candidate will be required to travel to Birmingham 2-3 days a week, however base location can be flexible. Travel to other HMCTS sites may also be required as part of these working arrangements. In line with the department’s policies, travel, subsistence and, where appropriate, overnight accommodation will be available in line with organisational policies.

Application Process:

You are asked to complete an “Overall Statement of Suitability”. Here, you will need to demonstrate (in a maximum of 750 words) that you have the experience required to successfully perform the role. We are specifically looking for evidence against the ‘Essential Skills & Criteria section above.

If selected for interview you will be tested against the following Success Profile behaviors (Level 3):

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

Further information on Success Profiles and the required standards for this post (Level 3) can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

Please note, interviews are likely to be conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

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

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

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.

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.

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 moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on UKor Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 18th July 2022.

27/06/2022, 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 - 59896.

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.

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Communicating and Influencing.
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 - 250 word limit
Managing a Quality Service - 250 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.

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.