69854 - Judicial Appointments Commission - Senior Strategic Communications Manager

£43,647 - £48,067
1
12 Months
London
London
CLIVE HOUSE LONDON, SW1H 9EX
SEO
SEO
Permanent
Full Time
Communications / Marketing

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.

About the JAC 

The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is an independent public body, established in April 2006, to select judges in the courts and tribunals, and non-legal tribunal members. The JAC selects judicial candidates through fair and open competition, encouraging a wide range of quality candidates to apply for the posts that it advertises.

The JAC is responsible for designing, planning, and running recruitment campaigns to select judicial office holders up to and including High Court Judges. We have a statutory duty to select solely on merit, while keeping our selection processes open to the widest range of applicants. We launch a new campaign for judicial posts every one to two weeks. These range from high volume campaigns for ‘entry level’ posts, attracting upward of 2,000 applicants, to small campaigns for senior roles, attracting a handful of highly qualified people.

The JAC has a key business plan commitment to attract well-evidenced applications from the widest range of high calibre candidates, supporting greater judicial diversity and works closely with a range of organisations to promote vacancies to eligible candidates. 

Though located at Clive House, Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ JAC staff are currently working in a hybrid way with some days in the office and some days working remotely. It will be necessary for the successful postholder to work at the JAC location regularly to support business need.

We offer a range of benefits including an attractive annual leave allowance, flexible working, and choice of pension schemes. We actively encourage all staff to undertake learning and development as part of their personal objectives. 

More information about the JAC is on our website: http://judicialappointments.gov.uk

The Role

We are looking for a Senior Strategic Communications Manager (grade SEO) to join the Diversity and Engagement team. The Senior Strategic Communications Manager will lead on strategic communications at the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) for both internal and external audiences. A key focus will be working with senior stakeholders to promote the work of the JAC and maintain its reputation as a centre of excellence in selection. You will provide communications advice to the JAC Chair, Chief Executive, Commissioners, and teams across the JAC to support the delivery of strategic objectives. 

Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will also deliver engaging editorial material at pace. You will have the autonomy to develop stories; create content, manage communication campaigns, events, and projects. You should relish the challenge of working in a small but dynamic team, collaborating with colleagues who are passionate about the JAC’s mission. This is an exciting and varied role with many opportunities to be involved in new projects and initiatives. 

Main Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Diversity and Engagement, your main responsibilities will be to: 

•    Lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of our Communication and Engagement strategy and helping to develop future communications strategies. 

•    Provide strategic communications advice to the JAC Chair, Commissioners and Senior Leadership team on both internal and external communication issues. 

•    Lead on the delivery of key strategic JAC projects such as the Annual Report and the development of new interactive candidate support tools for the website

•    Manage the relationships and expectations of a range of key external stakeholders, tailoring messages appropriately and paying close attention to detail 

•    Working closely with policy and operational staff to develop and implement communications and engagement plans, including advising on audience targeting, messaging, channels, and evaluation 

•    Working with the JAC external communications adviser to devise, deliver and oversee all media handling 

•    Creating digital content such as news items, press releases, social media posts (including Twitter and LinkedIn) and candidate guidance 

•    Overseeing the strategic direction and delivery of internal communications, in line with our values. 

•    Line managing 2 communication managers (HEO) 

Recruitment process details 

Behaviours 

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the recruitment process: 

Communicating and Influencing 

Seeing the Big Picture 

Making Effective Decisions 

Working Together

In addition to the core behaviours and strengths, it is expected the successful applicant will have: 

•    Experience of providing communications advice within an organisation, ideally to senior leadership teams and stakeholders.  

•    Strong understanding of the communications landscape, including an understanding of, and experience in using a range of communication tools, channels, and evaluation techniques,

•    Experience of influencing and engaging a wide range of internal and external audiences. 

•    The ability to manage the complex needs of a range of high-profile and influential internal and external stakeholders within a specialist area.

•    Outstanding oral and written communication skills in order to deliver high quality briefings for the JAC Chair, Commissions and Chief Executive. 

•    Experience of designing and delivering effective internal communications plans and activities.

•    Experience of the design and delivery of digital communications, including use of social media and web-editing platforms. 

Desirable criteria 

•  Understanding of legal sector 

Application process 

•    Your CV 
•    A statement of suitability outlining how your skills and experience make you suitable for the post (500 words max). 
•    Written evidence of the 3 core behaviours for this role: Communicating and influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions 

Sift 

Applications will be sifted based on the CV, Statement of Suitability and the 3 behaviours of Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture and Making Effective Decisions.  

If a high number of applications are received, applications will be sifted on the CV, Statement of Suitability, and lead behaviour: Communicating and Influencing.

Interview 

At interview you we will assess you against all 4 behaviours: Communicating and influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective decisions, and Working Together. The panel will also ask you about your experience, as well as some strength-based questions. You can find out more about strengths here. 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

Applicants invited for interview will be required to undertake a brief work exercise either before or on the day as part of the selection process. More details will be provided if you are invited to interview.

Interviews are expected to take place in the weeks commencing 20 and 27 February 2023. 

Interviews will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams. More details on the arrangements will be provided to candidates invited to interview. 

Reserve List

As well as appointing to the vacancy listed above we may place other candidates on a 12-month reserve list for future vacancies.

Further Information

If after reading this job description you require any further information, please contact Jessica Prandle at Jessica.Prandle@judicialappointments.gov.uk

If you have any questions about the recruitment campaign, or any terms and conditions relating to the role, please contact the JAC HR Division: 

Claire.thurlow@judicialappointments.gov.uk

The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.

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 GOV.UK or 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 in the weeks commencing 20 and 27 February 2023.

Interviews will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams. More details on the arrangements will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
N/A

01/02/2023, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 69854.

If after reading this job description you require any further information, please contact Jessica Prandle at Jessica.Prandle@judicialappointments.gov.uk

If you have any questions about the recruitment campaign, or any terms and conditions relating to the role, please contact the JAC HR Division: Claire.Thurlow@judicialappointments.gov.uk

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
Seeing the Big Picture - 250 word limit
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 500 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
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Experience
Experience general - please tell us a bit about how your experience makes you a suitable candidate for this role.
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Written Exercise

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.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

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.