34902 - Chief Communications and Planning Officer

£43,958 - £59,000
1
12 Months
Wales
Swansea
Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA), Swansea Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN
Grade 7
Grade 7
Permanent
Full 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 to recruit a dynamic, analytical and creative communications professional, able to use their deep knowledge and experience of insight and evaluation, to lead on strategic business planning and improvement. As Chief Communications and Planning Officer, you’ll work with colleagues from across the IMA to develop policy and operational goals against strategic objectives, identifying performance metrics and finding ways that communications can help achieve these goals.

The IMA is a new and small organisation, and it is essential that the communication function is integrated into the IMA’s wider business planning and delivery. It will also play an integral part in developing IMA’s corporate knowledge so it can make effective decisions.

As both a communications professional, and a champion for creating a data-driven culture, you’ll be able to design and implement systems that encourage effective information management. You’ll be able to use this to produce, collate and report on the authority’s recommendations, ensuring these are understood and delivered to public and those working in the relevant organisations in an engaging way.

As an experienced and rounded communicator, you’ll play an important leadership role within the communications team and wider corporate function. You’ll support the Head of Strategy and Communication in leading and developing the IMA’s communication function, drawing on your expertise to ensure the team delivers an effective communications service across all aspects of the service – internal communications, media, external affairs and marketing. You’ll find ways to upskill the wider organisation on best practice communications and performance management so the IMA can offer a high-quality service.

You’ll be at ease in building relationships across government, the public sector and partners, at peer and senior levels, using your negotiation and influencing skills to make things happen.

As a public-sector communicator, you won’t merely keep up with the pace of change, but actively lead the way. You’ll therefore be confident in using digital channels and methods in communications, engaged in developing technologies and trends and how these can be used to gather insight, produce content, reach audiences, and more effectively evaluate and measure the impact of your work.

This is an excellent opportunity to help shape a new organisation, use and develop a range of communications and analytical skills, and progress your own leadership.

The role is focused on communications, performance planning and stakeholder engagement in the IMA. However, the successful candidate may be required to work on different projects as requirements and workstreams evolve and mature.

Responsibilities

  • Build ongoing relationships with colleagues from various professionals across the IMA to develop policy and operational goals against strategic objectives, identifying appropriate performance metrics

  • Identify ways that communications can help achieve strategic objectives, embedding insight and evaluation into business and communication plans

  • Oversee the development and consistency of performance measurement frameworks across various business areas, ensuring these frameworks are aligned to business needs and strategy

  • Design and implement systems that encourage effective information management that will enable the IMA to produce, collate and report on its work and communicate these to the public and those working in the relevant organisations

  • Advise on press actions at a senior level and support team to develop campaigns. Influence the media agenda through proactive forward planning.

  • Develop strategies to protect and improve corporate and government reputation. React quickly and collaboratively with policy colleagues and partners, leading press planning and advice in crisis scenarios to manage and mitigate communication risks and issues to the IMA

  • Develop and nurture a culture of insight, performance and ongoing evaluation where non-communication professionals feel motivated, inspired and supported to create data-led business and communication strategies - devising creative training and upskilling programmes to support this work

  • Develop and embed an ambitious new insight, performance and evaluation strategy which takes account of the latest methodologies and best practice

  • Identify information and insight gaps, working with analysts to commission additional services or research where required

  • Continuously review and provide professional assurance for communications campaigns, products and content, ensuring these meet user and audience needs and value for money. Act on opportunities for continuous improvement

  • Build influential networks to enable the communications function is efficient and unified to provide a seamless service, and delivering quality solutions to achieve IMA’s strategic objectives

  • Support the Head of Strategy and Communications in establishing the new communications function, ensuring the required resources, skills and training are in place

  • Seek and stay abreast of latest technological developments and best practice to find innovative ways to engage with audiences. Develop understanding in latest trends and issues facing communicators, including tackling misinformation, AI, enhanced audience segmentation and behaviour insight

Essential skills

Leadership

  • Proven leadership experience in the communications and performance sphere - managing people, teams and complex work streams

Communications specific

  • Skilled in a wide range of communications disciplines, including: media, campaigns, digital, external affairs, internal and corporate communications

  • Skilled in media handling advice on policy briefs on sensitive, complex and high-profile issues

  • Ability to translate complex policy and operational goals into tangible and measurable communication objectives, developing integrated communication strategies to drive outcome focused activities across a range of channels

  • Experience of strategic planning, the use of horizon scanning tools to gather and synthesise information to inform core narratives and activities

  • Interest and technical ability required to operate in a digital environment, experienced in seeking innovative and digital solutions to improve outcomes and ways of working

General skills and experience

  • Excellent written and oral communications skills reflecting the need to explain complex policy areas to non-specialist audiences in a clear and engaging way

  • Able to communicate relevant, compelling stories using the most appropriate medium, including presenting analysis and visualisations in clear ways to communicate complex messages

  • a proven track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with a range of stakeholders at all levels, including with senior leadership, and to work closely and collaboratively with them to identify organisational performance reporting needs and develop solutions with a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels

  • Ability to work well under pressure with excellent organisational and prioritisation skills (personal and project management), with an ability deliver multi-faceted projects to high standards, within tight timeframes and manage high volumes of work for both self and team

  • Knowledge and experience of performance management models and frameworks and how best to apply these to ensure effective performance and information management

  • Evidence-driven, with a clear understanding of how insight is used to deliver successful outcomes
  • Able to identify and manage cross-cutting dependencies, risks and issues so accountabilities and responsibilities are clear and trackable, and delivery remains on track; meeting governance requirements
  • Deep and up-to-date knowledge of the full spectrum of insight and evaluation methodologies and industry best practice, alongside a proven ability to influence, inspire and create change at all levels, and the leadership skills to drive forward large behaviour change projects

Personal Qualities

  • Resilience and flexibility, being able to adapt to and deliver a high standard of work

  • Commitment to personal development

  • An understanding of and commitment to diversity and equality, and how this applies to this role

Desirable skills

  • Utilising analysis, insight and data visualisation tools such as Power BI to support the delivery of strategies, determine impacts of changes and inform and influence decision making

  • Building analytics capability in an organisation

  • Experience of managing projects and programmes that are designed to deliver user focused services

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

Technical skills

You are expected to be proficient in the Government Communication Service competencies (Insight, Ideas, Implementation, Impact) at Grade 7 level, particularly skills and knowledge listed as CORE and those listed in the ‘Campaigns and marketing’ and ‘Press’ discipline. These are found in the Government Communication Professional Competency Framework.

You are also expected to have the skills, confidence and experience in using digital technology within communications that is outlined in the Modern Communication Operating Model. You’ll also have the ability to use insight and analysis to drive change or service improvements.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension

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, technical skills, strengths and experience.

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 1,000 words that highlights the reason you are interested in the role and how your experience makes you the best candidate. You should also refer to the essential requirements, behaviours 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


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 scheduled 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 - 34902.

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
Working Together - 500 word limit
Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 1000 word limit
Technical Skills
GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework - Insight (core, campaigns & marketing, press) - 250 word limit
GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework - Ideas (core, campaigns & marketing, press) - 250 word limit
GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework - Implementation (core, campaigns & marketing, press) - 250 word limit
GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework - Impact (core, campaigns & marketing, press) - 250 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
GCS Gov Comms Professional Competency Framework - Implementation (core, campaigns & marketing, press)
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.