62138 - Prison Digital & Communications Manager - HM Prison Woodhill

£27,697 - £31,176
1
12 Months
South East
Milton Keynes
HM Prison Woodhill, MK4 4DA
HEO
Band 5
Permanent
Full Time
Communications / Marketing, Digital

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.

The successful candidate will be responsible for writing our communications strategy, as well as overseeing the planning and production of our internal comms, (both written and visual) including staff & prisoner notices and newsletters, posters and external comms via our twitter account.  We are looking to provide communication which is timely, consistent and meets the needs of our closed community.

 As part of the application process, please send an example of visuals to evidence your technical skill, which should be sent to commsWoodhill@justice.gov.uk by the same closing date. This will inform the sift process alongside your application form.   

 As part of the interview process, candidates who are sifted will be asked to share a case study, (based on a provided written brief) to show-case your ability to create impactful digital communications and written word.  This should last no more than (7-10) minutes.  In addition to sharing your creative visuals, we are keen to understand your translation of the brief, purpose of the comms, audience, messaging, content curation, intended response/reaction and success measures/outcomes.  The prepared case-study must be sent to commsWoodhill@justice.gov.uk by 20:00hrs, the day before the interview.   

HMP Woodhill IT platform uses Microsoft 365, including Microsoft Sway which allows both photos and MP4 content alongside prose.  We have recently purchased a range of equipment that allows us to create media content for podcasts and vlogs.

Overview of the job

As the Prison Digital & Communications Manager, the job holder will play a key role in driving the future of digital services and technology in prisons and helping to modernise the prison service. 

The job holder will be responsible for managing digital and technology user adoption and engagement on site, and planning and producing high-quality local digital communications content. 

This is a non-operational role in a prison environment with people management responsibilities (1-2 direct reports).

Summary

The job holder will manage digital and technology adoption and engagement locally, and champion user needs across all groups. 

They will also work closely with staff, residents, and the central Hub team to plan, design and produce local digital communications and engagement content. They will be responsible for identifying opportunities for digital services, digital content and technology to improve operational efficiency, staff experience, and resident experience. 

They will be accountable for delivering a set of operational targets for digital and technology management and support on site, and support central teams to measure benefits.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: 

Local Digital Communications Management:

  • Defining local communication requirements and working with SMT, residents and the central Content Designer to build a roadmap for local digital content.
  • Creating high-quality written, visual and audio content to communicate local news, events and updates, via the Hub (our digital communications platform), creating a strong brand for local prison communications.
  • Adhering to government and industry guidelines on publishing and maintaining content and reviewing page analytics and feedback to evaluate content success and engagement.

Prison Digital Services & Technology Management:

  • Delivering site-level digital and technology related operational performance targets, preparing a monthly report to identify and escalate any issues, risks and/or opportunities.
  • Working with SMT, HMPPS and MOJ to contribute to Digital and Technology roadmap and priorities and identifying and escalating site needs.
  • Supporting the central MOJ D&T in the design and delivery of new digital services and technology programmes.

User Management:

  • Managing staff within the digital change network, building knowledge, keeping them engaged and training them to support current and future digital services and technology programmes.
  • Leading engagement, support and training for staff and residents to ensure the safe, secure and effective use of digital services and technology on site. 

Operational Security:

  • Communicating and advocating device related guidance with residents and staff, escalating when policies or procedures are not being followed.
  • Working with staff and residents to reduce rates of improper use of devices and/or digital services and reduce rates of intentional damage. 

The job holder will be expected to lead daily stand-ups, attend the prison morning meeting with senior staff, conduct monthly operational review meetings, attend weekly hub team meetings, and lead digital change network meetings. 

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder. 

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh. 

Behaviours

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service 

Experience

Essential:

  • Proficient writing skills
  • Experience in written, audio and video communications
  • Experience filming and editing audio and visual content

Desirable:

  • Experience working within a prison establishment
  • Experience working with Digital and Technology
  • Experience in content planning
  • Experience with Content Management Systems
  • Experience in Project Management
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.

Standard working hours for this post are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service  (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist

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.

To be confirmed

19/08/2022, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com. Please quote the job reference - 62138.
Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)

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 - 250 word limit
Working Together - 250 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Managing a Quality Service - 250 word limit
Experience
Are you Proficient in writing skills? - 250 word limit
Do you have experience in written, audio and video communications? - 250 word limit
Do you have experience filming and editing audio and visual content? - 250 word limit
Do you have any experience working with Digital and Technology? - 250 word limit
Do you have any experience in content planning? - 250 word limit
Do you have any experience in Project Management? - 250 word limit
Technical Skills
The ideal applicant should have the ability to use a range of IT platforms including Office 365, Sway, Photo editing/Design software (Adobe Photoshop or equivalent ). Ability to draft written prose. - 500 word limit

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation
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.

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.