External Communications Manager

at  Ministry of Justice

Salary
The national salary range is £32,827 - £35,678. London salary range is £37,174 - £40,403. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Number of jobs available
1
Detail of reserve list
12 Months
Region
East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
City/Town
Birmingham , Brighton and Hove , Bristol , Cambridge , Cardiff , Jarrow , Leeds , Liverpool , London, Manchester , Nottingham
Building/Site
102 PETTY FRANCE LONDON, SW1H 9AJ, 5 WELLINGTON PLACE LEEDS, LS1 4AP, LAA 1 Unity Square, FLR 3, NG2 1AW, LAA 3 Glass Wharf, FLR 2, BS2 0PS, LAA Brighton, BN2 9QA, LAA Level 3, 23 Stephenson Street, Birmingham, B2 4BH, LAA Store Street, Piccadilly Gate, FLR 7, M1 2WD , LAA William Morgan House FLR11, CF10 1EP, LEGAL AID AGENCY CAMBRIDGE, CB2 8DR, LIVERPOOL THE CAPITAL LAA LIVERPOOL, L3 9PP, SOUTH TYNESIDE BERKELY WAY LAA JARROW, NE31 1SF
Grade

HEO

Post Type
Permanent
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Role Type
Communications / Marketing, Operational Delivery
Will the successful applicant have line manager responsibilities?
No
Job description
Job Title & Grade: External Communications Manager HEO
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary range (depending on location): National - £32,827 to £35,678 London - £37,174 to £40,403
Please note that unless you are currently employed by the Civil Service and are earning more than the minimum above, if successful you will be offered the minimum for the grade depending on your location.
Location: National – LAA Offices
Directorate: Corporate Services
Team: External Communications

JOB SUMMARY

As a Communications Manager, you will be involved in the creation and delivery of operational campaigns and events across our portfolio of channels. You will be key to the delivery of the agency’s external communication strategy as we build stakeholder engagement across our channels to support our strategic objectives.
The postholder will work with internal stakeholders to plan, schedule, and publish digital campaigns in line with the LAA’s external communications strategy. You will work closely with MoJ Press Office – rapidly responding to press queries, engaging internal experts, and briefing senior leaders.
You will also have a hands-on attitude to producing and delivering digital first campaigns and help us to deliver communications plans. We do this by working with internal stakeholders to support their announcements, so a flair for networking and influencing is highly desirable. The postholder will also play a full part in the Corporate Services team, contributing to meetings, events, and initiatives.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Good project management skills with excellent planning, prioritisation, and organisational abilities.
• A demonstrable understanding of channel management and how different content works on different channels and audiences.
• Demonstrate a track-record of delivering compelling communications across a range of no and low-cost channels with a strong audience focus and demonstrable experience working in a highly reactive and responsive environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines and carry others with you under such circumstances.
• Be a skilled influencer who can make the case for creative ideas, convincing clients of the most effective way forward and inspiring the team to deliver them.
• Have a flair for networking and influencing with the ability, to create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships across the LAA, Ministry of Justice and our wider stakeholders.
• Able to work in a busy team in a fast-paced environment with the confidence and skills to operate on your own, influencing, and upskilling colleagues.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Experience of creating engaging digital content using a range of digital tools, including video.
• Practical experience of using analytics and digital insight (Google Analytics, Hootsuite, BrandWatch) to measure impact and, maintain and improve engagement.
• Experience of working in a press office or other experience of handling reactive enquiries in a fast-paced and challenging communications environment.
  Assessment approach

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

If you have any complaints about this recruitment activity, please share your concerns by emailing LAARecruitment@justice.gov.uk initially. We aim to respond to any complaint within 10 working days.
If you are dissatisfied with our response, we will forward your complaint to the Civil Service Commission, an independent body, for review.
Additional Information
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). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
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.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
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 www.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

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

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.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
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.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Interview dates
Interviews are planned for week commencing 7th October 2024
Closing Date:
23/09/2024, 23:55 hours.
Contact information
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Please quote the job reference - 90320.
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
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
Supporting document 1
Job Description - HEO External Communications Manager.docx – 147KB Opens in a new window
Converted File Job Description - HEO External Communications Manager.docx.pdf – 98KB Opens in a new window
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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understand LAA operational priorities and processes so you can communicate our messages clearly, accurately, and creatively to stakeholders.
• Being alive to the news agenda which may affect our message and campaign delivery schedule – liaising with internal teams to provide communication and handling advice to senior leaders on highly sensitive and complex issues.
• Act as media liaison contact when MOJ Press Office receives any Legal Aid related enquiries
• Create proactive announcements using a digital-first methodology to reach stakeholders and audiences, using the most appropriate channels – copywriting, designing and publishing information and publications. This includes creating, curating, and maintaining compelling online and digital content for our UK and social media communication channels.
• Advise and support GOV.UK publishers across the LAA to meet the demands of our devolved publishing arrangements. This means building relations with individual publishers in a range of operational teams. Examples include civil and crime casework, procurement, exceptional and complex funding, and contract management.
• Compile a daily media summary and a weekly report anticipating potential media interest to key LAA stakeholders including non-exec directors, policy, and operational leads.
• Champion a robust evaluation culture across the team and wider agency. Gathering data and insight to inform our campaign activities to better target and engage our key audiences.
• Provide weekly updates and contribute to monthly reports to demonstrate impact to senior leaders, measuring the performance of campaigns, identifying improvements, and highlighting successes.
• Help organise and deliver high-profile events and other activities using a mix of live and virtual channels that engage audiences both externally and internally. Work to the highest professional standards, both on time and within budget.
• Demonstrate the ability to create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships across the agency, MoJ, other government departments and with our wider stakeholders. A flair for networking and influencing is highly desirable.
• Liaise with customer service teams to support them in delivering customer-focused communications and feedback on social platforms. Take a hands-on approach – using insight and best practice guidance when advising internal clients
• Ensure a continuous improvement approach in your own and the team’s work and consider how your contribution and impact can improve the team’s overall performance.

o Internal communication – demonstrate a practical understanding of organisational functions, roles, and communication requirements, to enable the design of contextualised and tailored content for internal audiences.

• Your Experience of implementing, promoting, or understanding diversity and inclusion policy - Diversity is the presence of difference, this can include one or more of the protected characteristics (Gender, Age, Race, Disability etc.) or it can be about working patterns, whether we like to jump into a task or reflect on it before acting. Inclusion is how we welcome, value, and celebrate diversity, giving everyone a voice, tapping into ideas, and enabling everyone to be themselves at work and achieve their potential.For this grade/ role we would expect the candidate to demonstrate understanding of the terms Diversity and Inclusion and be able to explain why they are important to them and to where they work. Examples of action they have taken (in or outside of work) to embrace diversity (e.g., increasing understanding) or improve inclusion for others will increase the strength of their answer.
• You will be asked to deliver a five-minute presentation assessed against Communications – Ideas: Digital (please see the description above). Details will be shared prior to the interviews, to give you a chance to prepare followed by an interview