63490 - Regional Senior Prison Resourcing Internal Communications Manager

The national salary is £37,683 - £41,506, London salary is £43,647 - £48,067. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
4
12 Months
National
National
NATIONAL
SEO
SEO
Fixed Term
Up to 2 years
Full Time, Flexible Working
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.

Regional Senior Prison Resourcing Internal Communications Manager

Band B/SEO

2 Years FTA

  • This role is being offered on a FTA interim basis for 24 months or on loan. 
  • If applying on loan, there is an expectation that you will return to your substantive post on completion of this role, although it is possible longer-term or more permanent roles in the MOJ communications team will become available. Applicants should discuss this with their line manager before applying. 

Number of roles – 4 regional roles including 1 x East Midlands/East Anglia, 1 x Buckinghamshire, 1 x South East and 1 x West Midlands (this area includes prisons in the South West).

Salary

National - £37,683 - £41,506

Job description

Are you looking for an opportunity to work in an exciting new team on issues that really matter and have a big social impact?

We are looking for several highly skilled and passionate internal communications professionals to join the award-winning HM Prison and Probations Service (HMPPS) communications team, within the Ministry of Justice. You will help us to deliver an impactful, local communications strategy, to achieve our ambition of improving our local prison communications channels, drive up staff engagement and strengthen the links between people working across HMPPS. 

The successful candidate will join us at an exciting time and will  help us to revolutionise the way we communicate to the prison community.

We have several new roles, which are available regionally in four areas. East Midlands/East Anglia, Buckinghamshire, South East and West Midlands (includes prisons in the South West). You will need to be based in one of these areas to cover prisons in that region and your own car and a full driving license are essential.

For too long prisons have been overlooked, there is not enough recognition of the amazing work that goes on every day, incredible stories of compassion, progress against extraordinary odds, and rehabilitation. We employ 43,000 people, including 22,000 prison officers, but we are the hidden service.

You will work as part of an ambitious and exciting new project team who will be responsible for increasing understanding of the work prison officers, and others working in prisons, deliver day to day and will also support existing staff retention.

The role has a strong focus on internal communications and staff engagement but also encompasses campaigns, digital and operational communications. You will be helping to develop and deliver an impactful insight based local prisons communications strategy that will improve our local channels and drive-up staff engagement.

Working as part of a team of central and regional communications experts,  the successful applicant will be a natural relationship builder and will be able to work collaboratively and with impact across a range of teams including those inside prisons, senior leaders in HMPPS and other communication functions. In addition, you will be a creative thinker, able to come up with new innovative solutions to old problems and remain positive in the face of adversity.

You will be working closely alongside an external Press and Communications colleague, who will be supporting the same regional prisons in your area, you will support your colleague to gather great local prison stories and case studies for positive media coverage to be used externally to raise awareness of the prison officer role, but will be vital to help increase staff pride within the prisons, showing them their excellent work reflected in the local media.  You would also work closely with the central HMPPS team.

You will ensure all of your work is executed to brilliant standards, within an existing culture of continuous improvement and innovation, and evaluating performance on an ongoing basis. You will also be expected to develop strong networks.  

Your interpersonal skills will be first rate and you will be at ease engaging with senior internal and external stakeholders for example policy teams and prison governors.

You will report into the Prison Resourcing Internal Communications Lead.

Person specification

The role has several key requirements including: 

  • Expertise in delivering creative internal communications and campaigns.

You will lead support the development and lead on the delivery of an insight based and impactful local internal prison communications strategy, looking for ways to evolve and develop our local communications channels. You will be experienced in developing and delivering effective, relevant and timely communications that help to support staff engagement.

  • Solution focussed and innovative

You are solution focussed and are able to come up with new innovative and creative ideas to extend the reach of our corporate communications and improve communications locally.

  • Using insight and evaluating the impact of your work.

You will work to ensure that your work aligns with the MOJ annual communications strategy and to Departmental and cross-government priorities. Your work should be based on relevant audience insight, set outcomes, have an implementation plan, and include evaluation metrics to measure the impact of communications.  

  • Effective collaboration and relationship management skills

You are expected to build effective working and collaborative relationships internally and externally. You will be able to use these relationships to unblock issues, manage risks, and deliver more effective communications. You will be working closely alongside an external SEO PR communications colleague and are expected to work closely to ensure you join up seamlessly and share best practice in your region. You will also build strong, constructive relationships with leaders and colleagues across HMPPS, MOJ and inside the prison community.

These regional roles will involve extensive travel to visit prisons in the region, anticipated to be on average at least two or three days per week. A driving license and own car is essential. Mileage will be paid as expenses. The other days of the week when not in prisons will be home working based.

Application process

We will be using success profiles to assess your communication and delivery abilities.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and provide examples of Civil Service behaviours (PDF) outlined and technical behaviours based on the Government Communication Professional Competency Framework (PDF).

Civil Service Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing

Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

Changing and improving

Seeks out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.

Working together

Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.

Government communication service technical behaviours

Insight - Consider any relevant audience research/insight when developing communications plans and campaigns.

Ideas - Initiate and lead the development of proactive communications. Work constructively with other communications, policy colleagues and partners to gain expert advice and opinions.

Implementation – Deliver communications plans in an efficient and timely manner to deadlines.

Impact - Analyse and evaluate communications to assess the effectiveness and inform future activity.

Selection process details

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement.

Your personal statement should demonstrate your suitability in no more than 1000 words that highlights the reason you are interested in the role and how your experience makes you the best candidate for the role requirements. In your statement you should also make particular reference to the Civil Service behaviours and Government Communication Service technical skills set out above.

Please not that that feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Security clearance and residency

If you are successful at interview, we will work with you to acquire SC security clearance. This is a straightforward process for most people but does, generally, require you to have been resident in the UK for at least the last five years.

Licences
Driving Licence.

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 GOV.UK or 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.

Interviews to be confirmed

06/10/2022, 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 - 63490.
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

Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 1000 word limit

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Working Together
Technical Skills
Insight - Consider any relevant audience research/insight when developing communications plans and campaigns.
Ideas - Initiate and lead the development of proactive communications. Work constructively with other communications, policy colleagues and partners to gain expert advice and opinions.
Implementation – Deliver communications plans in an efficient and timely manner to deadlines.
Impact - Analyse and evaluate communications to assess the effectiveness and inform future activity.

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.