40850 - Senior Publication Officer

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

HM INSPECTORATE OF PROBATION

Senior Publications Officer

This is an opportunity to work in a highly professional organisation. As an independent inspectorate, we are ambitious to make the best possible difference to the quality of probation and youth offending services in England and Wales. It is important to the public, to victims and to those who commit crime that these services are as effective and efficient as possible.

Who are we? HM Inspectorate of Probation is an independent Inspectorate, funded by the Ministry of Justice, and reporting directly to the Secretary of State on the effectiveness of work with adults and children who have offended aimed at reducing reoffending and protecting the public.

View our website: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation

Who are we looking for? We are now recruiting for a Senior Publications Officer and we warmly welcome applications from minority ethnic and/or Welsh speaking candidates. The job is open for MOJ applicants only

Cysylltwch â corporate@hmiprobation.gov.uk os hoffech gael yr hysbyseb hon a'r disgrifiad swydd yn Gymraeg. Marciwch eich e-bost “Cais am Gyfieithiad Cymraeg”. Please contact corporate@hmiprobation.gov.uk if you would like this advert and job description in Welsh. Please mark your email “Request for Welsh Translation”.

We are offering this post as a permanent contract.

The option of part‑time or jobshare contracts can be discussed individually.

This post we offer will be conditional upon evidence from references and various statutory checks.

How do we select? You must complete your application, demonstrating how you meet the required standard in Behaviours, by no later than Friday 12 February 2021 23:55. We will invite shortlisted candidates to an interview in week commencing 22 March 2021. The interview will be conducted using success profiles, focussing on Strengths. During the current public health emergency, the interview (and if successful, training), may be conducted over video conference software, rather than face to face. We will provide further information to successful candidates prior to interview.

Overview

The Communications Team is responsible for designing, publishing and promoting the Inspectorate’s reports and findings. The Senior Publications Officer plays a key role in the planning, delivery and evaluation of internal and external communications. Their main task is to oversee the production of our inspection reports and supporting materials.

This is a varied and busy role, so we are looking for someone who is proactive and motivated. The successful candidate must be a strong organiser, as they will need to manage competing priorities and ensure their direct reports deliver their tasks too. They will build relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues to solve problems and make effective decisions.

HM Inspectorate of Probation operates a flexible working policy and all members of staff can work from home some of the time.

This post is based in Manchester.

Key requirements of the role

• Manage the production of our reports and supporting materials. This includes: assigning tasks to Publications Officers, quality assuring their work, and empowering them to deliver tasks on time and to a high standard.
• Develop and own our report templates, ensuring the design presents information clearly and professionally.
• Develop and own communications materials such as our branding guidance.
• Draft and send submissions to Ministers (no prior experience necessary, training will be provided).
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues from across the organisation to ensure work arrives and leaves our team on schedule, and any problems are flagged/resolved.
• Manage a small team of external editors to ensure editing jobs are scheduled in, completed on time and adhere to our house style.
• Design and upload key corporate documents to the website and supervise the Publications Officers to upload material to the website/social media.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the Inspectorate’s communications strategy.
• Support internal communications.
• Line manage five Publication Officers, including actively and consistently managing individual performance and attendance.
• Recognise and promote diversity issues in all aspects of work.
• Deputise for the Head of Communications when required.

The Senior Publications Officer joins a team that values continual learning and development. They will be expected to contribute to monthly evaluation sessions, take ownership of their own learning, and support the team’s development too.

Person specification - Success Profiles

Behaviours

Communicating and influencing

Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Encourage the use of different communications methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people’s individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encourage others to do the same. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.

Managing a quality service

Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence. Work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales. Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers’ needs and gives value for money. Identify risks and resolve issues efficiently. Involve a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders and delivery partners in developing suggestions for improvements. Establish ways to find and respond to feedback from customers about the services provided.

Working together

Encourage joined up team work within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. Collaborate with these to share information, resources and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another. Put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs. Make it clear to all team members that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. Actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Making effective decisions

Understand own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate. Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. Display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove to be unpopular. Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.

Delivering at pace

Show a positive approach to keeping the whole team’s efforts focused on the top priorities. Promote a culture of following the appropriate procedures to ensure results are achieved on time whilst still enabling innovation. Ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively. Regularly monitor your own and team’s work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks. Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance. Allow individuals the pace and authority to meet objectives, providing additional support where necessary, whilst keeping overall responsibility.

Ability

Excellent organisation skills to ensure work is delivered accurately and to tight deadlines

Essential

Ability to understand processes and to work with others to resolve problems

Essential

IT proficient in Word (intermediate/advanced) and Excel (basic)

Essential

Experience

Prior experience of communications (in work or outside work)

Desirable

Knowledge/experience of design software e.g. Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator

Desirable

Knowledge/experience of digital communications e.g. using Twitter or making videos

Desirable

Further Information:

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. We will not discriminate on grounds of gender, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, faith or any other factor not relevant to a person's work.

If you would like to discuss this post, please contact: Catherine Chan, Head of Communications on 07889 405930 or catherine.chan@hmiprobation.gov.uk. We would ask that you please read the application information thoroughly first.