36018 - Communications Manager
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
Background:
Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunals Service is an agency of the MoJ and provides the supporting administration for the judiciary across England and Wales. It delivers services to the public directly in court and tribunal buildings, remotely via business centres and some limited services via the internet.
The Reform Programme is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the entire HM Courts and Tribunals Service, enhancing the provision of a world-class justice system, in a manner that provides an improved user experience at reduced cost to the taxpayer. This will contribute to consolidating the UK’s position at the forefront of an increasingly competitive international legal market as well as ensuring access to justice for all.
Vacancies within the Reform Programme offer a unique chance to be at the forefront of leading and implementing significant change projects across the organisation. The Programme is ambitious and innovative and will need a flexible workforce to deliver it. Those leading the change will experience new and exciting opportunities and will benefit from playing a part in a number of different initiatives throughout the four-year programme. Staff within the Reform Programme will need to display a commitment to three key principles: Continuous change, managing uncertainty and designing services around the needs of the users. All those appointed to these new roles must be wholeheartedly committed to these principles and evidence this in their application.
The Role:
Reporting to the Programme Manager, this role sits within the Programme Management Office (PMO) within the Future Operations Programme. The Future Operations Programme will deliver a new operating model and supporting capability to operations within our Courts and Tribunals as well as the Regional Operation and Courts and Tribunals Service Centres (CTSCs), transforming operational ways of working.
The Programme and the CTSC Ops are now in delivery stage where communications with stakeholders internally and externally is crucial and impacts on both the successful change to ways of working and the approach to people transition. As a Communications Manager you will be responsible for managing the communications strategy for the programme, to ensure timely, effective and consistent communication across Reform and the wider stakeholder network.
Key Responsibilities:
- The Programme and Projects Communications Plan
- Review Programme information and reporting and make recommendations
- Stakeholder Mapping - including quality activities to test the perception of success of the stakeholders and soundness of relationships
- Communication assessment
- Review effectiveness of Programme communication tools
- Manage risks and issues and escalations pertaining to communications
- Manage Lessons learnt in relation to communications, ensuring actions taken and embedded from them
- Role Responsibilities (RACI) in relation to communications
- Write Programme communications
- Undertake communications for the Programme Director, Business Design Director and Programme Manager as directed
- Respond to parliamentary questions, Ministerial correspondence and FOI requests
- Draft Ministerial submissions
- Create Programme newsletter for stakeholders
- Manage key Programme messages on the intranet / organisation website; author blogs & manage responses; liaise with Press Office on reactive lines
- Update stakeholders with status, changes and manage expectations
- Work closely with Business Change managers for consistent communications into Operations
- Review effectiveness of the programme communications approach and make recommendations on internal / external facing communications with customers
- Message clarity and consistency, liaise with projects and wider reform to manage
- Strategic communication, planning and insight
- Assist in managing internal stakeholder relationships to effectively drive through project delivery
- Assist in communications pertaining to the Future Operations, including communications to staff, programme, reform and wider stakeholder network
- Liaise with HMCTS communication teams to align messages and timing of messages
- Effective delivery of messages, the right messages to the right people in a timely and effective manner
Other Duties:
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. The post holder will be required to work flexibly across the programme.
Essential Skills / Criteria:
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria:
- A strong communicator, able to communicate messages clearly to a range of audiences at all levels – both verbally and in writing
- Experience working in a communications role/environment
- Knowledge and understanding of communications tools and techniques
- Knowledge and understanding of stakeholder management within Central Government
- Strong writing, editing, proofreading, layout and design skills, including the ability to present concepts verbally
Application Process:
To apply for this position please completed the online application form, ensuring you submit the following two application documents:
- An up-to-date copy of your CV which details your experience and achievements.
- A 750-word statement of suitability which demonstrates your suitability against the Key Responsibilities and Essential/Desirable Criteria outlined above.
If selected for interview you will be tested against the following Success Profile behaviours (Level 3):
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
Further information on Success Profiles and the required standards for this post (Level 3) can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
Should you be successful at the application stage, please also note that interviews may be required to be conducted via video conference.
Location of Post:
The successful candidate will be required to travel to London, however base location can be flexible. Regular travel to other HMCTS sites may also be required as part of these working arrangements. In line with the department’s policies, travel and substance and, where appropriate, overnight accommodation will be available in line with organisational policies.
Terms & Conditions:
Fixed Term Appointment
This appointment will be made on a fixed term basis, due to the time limited nature of the Reform Programme.
For existing civil servants, whilst the role itself is time limited, at the end of the fixed term period, you will retain your permanent status but will be placed on the re-deployment register. Successful appointment on promotion will secure this grade on a permanent substantive basis.
Secondments and loans will be considered on an individual basis.
Flexible working options
HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices.
Job Sharing and Reduced Hours
All applications for job sharing or reduced hours will be treated fairly and on a case by case basis in accordance with the MoJ’s flexible working policy and equality policy.
Excess Fares and Relocation Allowances
This job is not eligible for relocation allowances but excess fares may be considered in accordance with MoJ’s excess fares allowance policy.
To apply for this position please complete the online application form, ensuring you submit the following two application documents:
- An up-to-date copy of your CV which details your experience and achievements.
- A 750-word statement of suitability which demonstrates your suitability against the Key Responsibilities and Essential/Desirable Criteria outlined in the job description.
If selected for interview you will be tested against the following Success Profile behaviours (Level 3):
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
Further information on Success Profiles and the required standards for this post (Level 3) can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
Should you be successful at the application stage, please also note that interviews may be required to be conducted via video conference.
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
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.
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 any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
- 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
1- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
2- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk);
3- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
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.
Grading Structure Review
The Ministry of Justice is currently undergoing a review of posts which are currently graded at Band A to realign our grading structure with the majority of the wider Civil Service.
Posts advertised at Band A may be graded at either Grade 6 or Grade 7 once the review has taken place.
13/08/2020, 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@gov.sscl.com
Please quote the job reference - 36018.
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.
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.