57678 - Head of Communications, Reducing Reoffending

The national salary range is £50,427 - £59,000, London salary range is £54,274 - £63,500. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
1
12 Months
National
National
NATIONAL
Grade 7
Grade 7
Permanent
Full Time
Communications / Marketing

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.

Overview

The HMPPS Reducing Reoffending, Partnerships and Accommodation (RRPA) Directorate has been established to drive a step change in the whole system’s response to reducing reoffending.

It seeks to galvanise efforts across HMPPS, Whitehall and partners to reduce reoffending by providing more support for prisoners and prison leavers to make a success of their lives. The directorate’s work has been backed by a £550m investment over the next three years.

The role

The Head of Communications, Reducing Reoffending, will lead a team of three to deliver a communications strategy that supports the delivery of this major investment programme.

We are looking for a strong leader with demonstrable experience of leading communications for large organisations or on complex projects. The role requires experience across a broad range of communications disciplines including internal communications, stakeholder engagement, working with senior leaders, digital communications and editorial and campaign delivery.

This role sits within the HMPPS Communications Team and reports directly to the Head of Communications for Probation. However, day-to-day the successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Director Reducing Reoffending, Partnerships and Accommodation (RRPA) and their Senior Leadership Team. It also requires close working with the MoJ Press Office.

You will find new, innovative ways to reach our diverse audiences and will operate as part of a wider team of communications professionals in line with Government Communications Service best practice.

Key responsibilities

  • Deliver a Communications Strategy for HMPPS’ Reducing Reoffending work that supports the effective delivery of the multi-million pound investment programme.
  • Lead a team of three Communications Managers each of whom focuses on a separate aspect of the Reducing Reoffending Delivery Plan (RRDP).
  • Ensure that the RRDP is well understood and has buy-in across a broad range of audiences, including staff, stakeholders and people in prison and on probation.
  • Work with HMPPS digital and campaign teams to develop a regular drumbeat of content about Reducing Reoffending across a range of internal and external HMPPS and MoJ channels.
  • Oversee a programme of internal communications for the 1,500+ staff in the RRPA directorate that helps to build a sense of identity and common purpose.
  • Take a data led approach to all comms work, ensuring activity is rooted in audience insight and evaluation is built into all aspects of delivery.
  • Responsible for the management of communications spend in client’s budgets.
  • Work with MoJ press office on major announcements around Reducing Reoffending.
  • Provide strategic communications advice to the RRPA Senior Leadership Team.
  • Play an active role in the HMPPS Communications Senior Management Team, participate in pan-departmental and Government communication networks, and deputise for the Head of Probation Communications where required.

About You

You have a positive attitude and are enthusiastic about meeting the challenges of the role and driven to succeed.

You have experience leading communications in large and/or complex organisations. You have excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to tailor your delivery to suit your audience. You are engaging and build rapport quickly with others to build strong and trusted working relationships with your colleagues and partners. 

You are a confident leader with a proven ability to advise and influence partners. You are comfortable working with senior officials to plan and deliver across multiple channels and audiences. You are positive in an ever-changing environment, with excellent organisational skills and the capability to balance multiple and often conflicting priorities.

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.

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.

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.

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 moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on UKor Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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.

Expected Mid June TBC

18/05/2022, 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 - 57678.
Security Clearance (SC)

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.

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
Leadership - 250 word limit
Working Together - 250 word limit
Developing Self and Others - 250 word limit
Experience
CV

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Working Together
Developing Self and Others
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation

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.