24025 - Reform Communications Officer

£30,389 - £37,806
1
12 Months
London
London
London CTS Royal Courts of Justice, WC2A 2LL
HEO
C
Fixed Term
until 31/03/22.
Full Time
Communications / Marketing

The £1billion change programme for courts and tribunals is the most significant set of reforms to the system since the 19th century. Having formally begun in April 2016, it is due to complete in 2022/23. The vision, developed together with the senior judiciary, is a radical one – to modernise and upgrade our justice system so that it works even better for everyone, from judges and legal professionals, to witnesses, litigants, and the vulnerable victims of crime. This will help consolidate the UK’s position at the forefront of an increasingly competitive international legal market as well as ensuring access to justice for all.

Judicial Office

The Judicial Office is a unique branch of the civil service, with around 200 people dedicated to supporting the judiciary in upholding the rule of law, promoting judicial independence, and administering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently. The Judicial Office reports to the Lord Chief Justice (LCJ) and the Senior President of Tribunals (SPT) and helps them fulfil their responsibilities to the judiciary, in an ever-evolving justice system.

The Judicial Office provides a wide range of operational support, policy, legal and handling advice to judges. This includes the senior judiciary and more than 20,000 judicial office-holders. Across diverse functions, the Judicial Office share a strong sense of common purpose: strengthening the rule of law and improving the administration of justice by supporting the leadership and governance of the independent judiciary.

A short video about the Judicial Office can be found at: https://design102.wistia.com/medias/uhgtmbtnlv

Reform Communications Officer

The Judicial Office Courts and Tribunals Reform team’s core purpose is ensuring reform happens with, and not to, the judiciary by operating as a strategic, proactive and forward-looking capability that advocates on behalf of the judiciary through reform. We support the judiciary to guide, shape and manage the effects of reform on the judiciary.

The Judicial Reform Communications team was established in December 2018 to keep the judiciary across the UK informed every step of the way. They are responsible for:

  • Making sure that communications issued to the judiciary on the reform programme are appropriate, tailored, relevant and timely.
  • Establishing strong relationships with the senior judges, the Judicial Office Management Board and Judicial Office colleagues. Be a visible and trusted source of independent and professional advice for them, and can provide constructive challenge when needed.
  • Working with the Judicial Office Communications Team and with Reform Team colleagues to deliver a joined-up approach to reform communications.
  • Building and maintaining strong networks with MoJ and HMCTS communications colleagues. Using those networks to increase the value and impact of communications which affect the judiciary by sharing best practice and ensuring judicial perspective, while respecting the constitutional position and status of the MoJ and HMCTS.
  • Ensuring that the team’s work is underpinned by a keen understanding of the independence of the judiciary and the justice system and their position as the third branch of the State.

We are looking for a creative, organised and proactive Reform Communications Officer to help deliver these objectives. The role is varied; from helping to organise events, and evaluating channels, to uploading intranet content. Your key objectives will include:

  • Supporting the Reform Content Manager to create content on the Reform Programme for all jurisdictions.
  • Ensuring that internal communications are consistent across all channels and tailored for different jurisdictions.
  • Supporting the Events and Channel Liaison as required. Activities may include planning, coordinating and supporting reform-specific events, uploading content to the judicial intranet and responding to queries received in the joint mailbox.
  • Creating reports to evaluate the effectiveness of communications methods and channels.

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Key Requirements:

  • Communications experience (content creation).
  • Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
  • Excellent organisational and multi-tasking skills.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Analytical skills.
  • Experience working with the judiciary (desirable).
  • Understanding of HMCTS Reform Programme (desirable).

To apply for this position please submit a copy of your CV, and a 750-word statement of suitability on why you are interested in the role demonstrating key skills, experience and achievements required to be a success in this post.

To apply for this position please submit a copy of your CV, and attach to it a 750-word statement of suitability on why you are interested in the role demonstrating key skills, experience and achievements required to be a success in this post.

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.

Expected: Interviews will be held mid March 2019.

19/02/2019, 23:55 hours.

Closing date; 19/02/19 at 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@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference 24025

Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)

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.



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
Other competency/Experience

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

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

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.