Job Description

Details

Reference number

329148

Salary

\xc2\xa339,483

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

DFE - Education and Skills Funding Agency

Type of role

Communications / Marketing
Digital

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1


Contents

• Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

Coventry, West Midlands (England), CV1 2WT : Nottingham, East Midlands (England), NG2 2GD : Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber, S1 2JF
About the job

Job summary

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels. Equality and Diversity - Department for Education As an experienced communicator you will support the Stakeholder Engagement and Digital Lead to build digital communication strategies and strong partnerships across the sector. The successful candidate will join the ESFA Corporate Communications team which sits within the Corporate Services and Sponsorship division. You will be part of a small team of 9 individuals who work across external communications, internal communications, stakeholder engagement and digital and works closely with other corporate services teams. The team have strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders including education providers, sector organisations and ESFA colleagues. We are a supportive and friendly team who value the wellbeing of our staff. We have a strong culture of inclusion and diversity, and we aim to develop all our staff to enable them to make a full contribution to meeting the Agency\xe2\x80\x99s vision, and to fulfil their own potential.

Job description

The digital communications manager has responsibility for the governance and maintenance of the Education and Skills Funding Agency\xe2\x80\x99s (ESFA) digital channels. You will ensure content you publish meets GOV.UK style requirements and you will provide specialist professional communications advice and guidance to teams on readability, accessibility and Government Digital Service (GDS) requirements. Continued improvement is at the heart of this role. You will support the effective evaluation and analysis of all digital communications activity across the ESFA. You will provide a service to the agency through horizon scanning, mapping and planning to gain insight and provide evidence-based advice and guidance in the engagement of stakeholders and customers. You will set and manage communications improvement projects based on user need and deliver these using Government Communication Service (GCS) principles. The successful candidate will become a member of the Government Communication Service (GCS) which provides access to specialist training and support and best practice and adherence to the highest professional standards.

Person specification

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Evaluation

• Determine the evaluation criteria and embed digital evaluation and tracking to inform and develop impactful and user focused digital communication strategies.
• Monitor the performance of content and services through user feedback and using tools such as Google Analytics, GOV.UK and social media stats, to make and implement recommendations for improvements.

Producing content

• Manage the publication of FPMO, SFSO and ESFA\xe2\x80\x99s corporate content on GOV.UK. Ensure relevant planning and press sign off before anything is published on GOV.UK
• Set the quality standard when producing audience focused digital content. Ensure all content has a clearly defined user need, meets GDS guidelines and is simple for education providers to use, find and understand.
• Manage the ESFA\xe2\x80\x99s external newsletter. An expert on proofing and editing content, ensuring content intended for publication is reputationally sound, meeting grammatical standards and ESFA house style.
• Develop the ESFA\xe2\x80\x99s social media strategy and oversees delivery of this across social media channels.
• Support communications officers across the agency to create quality, user-centred content and works closely with operational communication leads as part of business liaison.
• Demonstrate strong written communication skills and provide advice and guidance to colleagues on writing clearly for target audiences.

Content Improvement

• Continually review content to ensure it is fit for purpose and adapt based on user insight and feedback.
• Use project management techniques to lead content improvement projects. This includes reviewing user insights, setting and ensuring objectives are measurable and lessons learned are applied.
• Liaise with the DfE digital teams to align activity.
• Provide strategic advice and guidance on brand and corporate identity.
• Use professional knowledge of digital methodologies to identify trends and employ continuous professional development to spot new opportunities.
• Lead on corporate communications projects providing professional communications advice and guidance.

Person specification: Personal Attributes and Skills

• The successful candidate will be an experienced digital communicator with strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
• They will be comfortable managing multiple projects and competing deadlines while working at pace.
• They will be able to work independently driving forward digital publishing projects while also supporting colleagues and contributing to team outcomes across planning, delivery of content creative and evaluation of the ESFA external digital communication channels.

Essential Criteria

• Evidence of relevant communications experience in a comparable role that demonstrated knowledge of communications and good practice.
• Experience of taking complex language and processes and make them simple to understand for customer facing channels.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to see the bigger picture.
• Experience of leading work with data and making action led recommendations based on findings.
• Experience of developing effective business relationships with users, customers, and stakeholders, maintaining a focus on the importance of customer engagement.
• The ability to coordinate several projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities.

Desirable criteria:

• Trained GOV.UK publisher and experience of writing basic HTML or markdown.
• Previous experience working with GDS accessibility guidelines to make digital services accessible to people with disabilities (a legal requirement).
• Familiarity with Google analytics and other insight tools.
• Experience of managing social media channels.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.

Technical skills

We\'ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Insight
• Ideas
• Impact

Benefits

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department\xe2\x80\x99s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years\xe2\x80\x99 service. In addition, all staff receive the King\'s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days\xe2\x80\x99 bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered. As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

This vacancy is using the Government Communication Service Technical Skills framework and Success Profiles, and will assess your Experience, Technical Skills, and Strengths. Application At the applications stage, we will assess Experience using a CV and your personal statement. Your personal statement (maximum 750 words) should demonstrate how your Experience meets the essential criteria of the role, listed in the person specification section. Candidates will be sifted through their CV and statement. The sift will be restricted to just assessing your statement in the event of a large volume of applications. Interview The interview will involve Technical, Experience and Strength based questions. We\xe2\x80\x99ll assess you against these Technical skills during the interview process:

• Insight
• Ideas
• Impact

Other Information We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas. The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship. DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify. If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated. A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant\xe2\x80\x99s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum. Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual. Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information. Reasonable adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the \xe2\x80\x9cAssistance required\xe2\x80\x9d section in the \xe2\x80\x9cAdditional requirements\xe2\x80\x9d page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you\xe2\x80\x99re deaf, a Language Service Professional. Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• 
  Name :
  Joanne Dawson
  Email :
  joanne.dawson@education.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• 
  Email :
  AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk

Further information

The Department for Education\xe2\x80\x99s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages