9166 - Deputy Head of Strategic Communications, Campaigns and Digital
This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional communications professional to join the Strategic Communications and Campaigns team in the Ministry of Justice. You will manage a team to deliver a strategic communications function to support the work of the department. You will play a central role in leading an MOJ-wide process to develop a group communications strategy and assist in its rollout to communications staff across the MoJ group and to key policy teams.
Working to the Deputy Director for Strategic Communications, you will help ensure the public is informed about MoJ policies and ministerial priorities by bringing rigour and coherence to the MoJ’s proactive external communications, straddling media, campaigns, stakeholder communications and digital output. You will also play an important role in being a link between the MoJ and the Government Communications Service, representing the MoJ and reporting on departmental activity and plans, making sure that these tie in with wider Government communications objectives.
As a fast-paced operational delivery department, the MoJ attracts a great deal of media scrutiny which requires a high level of reactive news management. This underlines the need for a strategic and planned approach to proactive communications in order to set the agenda as well as respond to it.
We are looking for an individual with experience of using insight to develop communications strategies and campaigns, which give clear direction across a range of communications disciplines and which drive proven results. Experience in running high profile external facing campaigns, both with and without budget, is essential. Using insight to shape the campaign approach, effectively evaluate results and inform future activity is essential.
This role will require close working across MoJ’s Communications and Information Directorate, so experience in leading employee engagement work and a knowledge of wider communications disciplines, including internal communications is also desirable. As a senior member of the team you will be expected to play a key part in our ongoing internal change and transformation programme.
Your role in External Communications
The successful candidate will be a key member of external communications’ Senior Management Team. You will have direct line management responsibilities for four Band A (G7) communications staff, including two Heads of Campaigns for different MoJ policy areas, a Head of Stakeholder Communications and Head of Digital Communications.
You will be a senior member of the communications team and assist in the management of a planning and horizon scanning team. You will be keen to lead a happy and productive teams and deliver strategic support for campaigns, digital/online activity and high profile, proactive media relations work.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Play a leading role in developing and managing the strategic communications team for the MoJ, creating and delivering effective communications campaigns and ensuring key campaigns, including digital and online projects, are properly resourced and the team is fully integrated within the wider directorate.
- Play your part in the wider Government Communications Service to help drive excellence across Government communications, and to represent the MoJ and report on departmental activity.
- Ensure the team works with and serves the wider directorate, acting as effective account managers for key MoJ policy areas and strategic themes.
- Play a central role in leading a group-wide process to develop a group communications strategy which is integrated with the cross-government GCS communications plan.
- Assist in the rollout of the group strategy to staff across the MoJ group and to key policy teams.
- Build effective working relationships with relevant Directors and DGs to increase the visibility and account management role of the strategic communications team in supporting the delivery of priority policy initiatives and to manage expectations effectively.
- Build effective working relationships with private office and special advisers and take steps to ensure that expert strategic communications advice and support is provided to ministers and to increase the team’s visibility.
- Drive a robust long term planning and prioritisation approach to MoJ communications. Direct communications leads in the MoJ group and work with press office to prioritise and streamline MoJ’s communications activities to maximise impact.
- Oversee the delivery of integrated, ‘digital by default’ and evidence-based campaigns for MoJ around key departmental issues.
- Work across Government and with other departments as appropriate to maximise the impact and reach of MoJ campaigns.
- Oversee the development of MOJ’s creative content approach, so it contributes to the wider communications strategy and the goals of MoJ’s ministers and the Government Communication Service (GCS), particularly the Modern Communication Operating Model.
- Oversee the drafting and development of the MoJ’s digital and creative content strategy.
- Be a key member of Communications Senior Management Team, deputising when necessary and representing the division inside and outside the MoJ.
- Scan and interpret the modern communications landscape to identify risks to MoJ’s reputation and service continuity and work closely with other senior managers to manage and mitigate these risks.
- Represent the MOJ in cross-departmental meetings, including at the Cabinet Office, to influence where necessary, to suggest joint initiatives where appropriate and to contribute to the existing or proposed initiatives of others.
- Deputise for the Deputy Director Head of Strategic Communications and Campaigns as appropriate.
- Champion an audience-led approach to all MOJ communications and campaigns aligned to the MoJ communications strategy.
- Use the spending controls procedures to improve the effectiveness of the group campaigns and to ensure evaluation and insight are maximised.
- Ensure the strategic communications team is plugged into social researchers and other sources of insight
- Oversee timely and effective monthly performance reports for the communications directorate and for ministers with actionable insights.
- Oversee the setting of key metrics and evaluation for campaigns.
- Refine the core MoJ group messages agreed in the communications strategy and roll them out for use across the group. Devise a method of tracking their use and impact.
- Demonstrate the ability to operate successfully at the next level, to see the big picture and set direction.
- Support the Head of Transformation to deliver the internal change programme for the Communications Directorate, ensuring alignment with GCS frameworks and standards.
- Develop the capability of team members to achieve successful delivery of business performance. Support them in ensuring they have SMART personal objectives which support their professional development. Identify and manage talent across the team.
Competencies
Communication Core Competencies:
You are expected to be proficient in each of the Government Communication Service (GCS) competencies to Band A/Grade 6 level, particularly skills and knowledge under the ‘Campaigns and Marketing’ discipline. You should examine this on the GCS website. We'll assess you against these competencies during the selection process:
- Communications - Insight: Core
- Communications - Ideas: Core
- Communications - Implementation: Core
- Communications - Impact: Core
- Civil Service Competency: Seeing the Big Picture
Salary, Working Arrangements & Further Information
Salary
Existing civil servants on level transfer will retain their level of pay unless this is lower than the starting salary as outlined in MoJ T&Cs. Out of hour’s duties to support our news-desk may be available for candidates with the relevant experience and who wish to take this up, but this is not essential to the role. Overtime and premium payments apply to out of hours duties.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices, and requirements for particular working patterns will be accommodated wherever possible.
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 salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- 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.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
31/05/2017, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 31st May 2017 at 23:55 hours
If you require any assistance please call 0845 010 3512 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment@noms.gsi.gov.uk Please quote the job reference 9166.
Please contact Emily Tofield via Emily.Doyle@justice.gsi.gov.uk with any queries.
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.
Candidate Information
You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:
- An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
- A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.
During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.
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.