Job Description

Details

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Reference number

393888
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Salary

44,590
London locations may attract an allowance of 3,300 per annum.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Senior Executive Officer###

Contract type

Permanent###

Business area

MOD - Head Office & Corporate Services###

Type of role

Communications / Marketing###

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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

Location

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City of Westminster, London (region), SW1A 2HB

About the job

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Job summary

Are you interested in getting policy, process and welfare messages to civilians and military personnel, helping recruitment and retention efforts; and being part of modernising Defence's culture?


Do you have a strong understanding of internal communications, and skills in strategic and digital communications that you are keen to use and develop? Are you the person that other people come to first when they want communication advice? Perhaps because you are an expert at communication planning, because you can implement your plans; or because you advise and guide others on using channels and can use them yourself to deliver impactful communications? Are you also able to evaluate that impact? If so, we want to hear from you.


The purpose of the Ministry of Defence is to protect the security, independence, and interests of our country at home and abroad. The success of Defence depends on its People, they are the critical component of Defence capability.


The Defence People Communications Team provides a professional communications capability to people-focused change projects, policies and initiatives aimed at Service personnel, their families and civilians in Defence. Our work varies vastly on a day-to-day basis, so multitasking, being able to think strategically, and enjoying a fast pace and a variety of work is key. You could be involved in:


coordinating, planning and implementing communication activity for transformative and innovative people policies and projects leading a communications campaign promoting health and wellbeing initiatives such as new mental health tools devising and delivering a communications campaign tackling unacceptable behaviours in Defence delivering campaigns highlighting new safeguarding policies for Service families crafting and posting social media content publishing blogs, news stories and updates for the 600+ Defence People Team on the team's SharePoint site helping a new project develop its key messages.

The team provides direct comms support to Defence's people-themed projects and programmes, such as recruitment and retention initiatives and activity that supports cultural change. This can include comms planning, channels advice; creating key messages, digital articles, core scripts, flyers, social media content, video content and radio ad content. We also coordinate comms delivery across channels, liaising with internal stakeholders, suppliers, single Services comms teams and others to make things happen.


The team also provides comms support to the immediate business area (the Defence People Team) and senior leaders, such as the Chief of Defence People and Director General, People and Organisational Development.

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Job description

Key responsibilities:

Provide communications expertise to projects and initiatives, helping them develop and deliver comms to engage Service personnel, civilians and other stakeholders. Develop communications plans and strategies using the Government Communication Service OASIS framework. Draft and edit meaningful and engaging content for a variety of audiences. Use a full range of communications channels including intranet, management briefs and engagement activities, blogs, magazine content and digital media. Plan and coordinate the delivery of communications campaigns through devolved communications functions in the single Services and other key business areas by providing core content and messaging that can be tailored to specific audiences. Build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leadership teams, policy leads, colleagues in other directorates, Private Offices and external suppliers. Evaluate communication activity to demonstrate success, inform future activity and to support a culture of continuous improvement. Support development of strategic narratives and key messages and feed into Defence-wide and Ministerial submissions and requests. Provide advice and consultancy on content, branding and key messages. Deliver high quality internal communications for the Defence People Team. Support senior leaders with internal events, such as virtual and in-person Town Hall briefings. ###

Person specification

We are looking for an enthusiastic communication professional with experience in internal and external communications in a large organisation and excellent interpersonal and stakeholder skills.


We are particularly keen to hear about relevant skills and experience in communications roles in fast-paced environments, with complex stakeholder needs and expectations, as well as expertise in making use of a wide range of channels and approaches.

Essential criteria

The successful candidate will have:

A track record of at least 4-5 years in internal, employee and/or external communications in the public or private sectors. Technical knowledge and skills in internal communications. Experience of leading on and delivering complex communications campaigns across multiple comms channels and to varying target audiences. An ability to translate complex information into clear and concise communications and briefings. Previous experience of strategic communications planning, implementation and evaluation. Strong written and interpersonal skills. Confidence to influence and engage with senior stakeholders, policy teams and comms colleagues from other areas. Ability to multitask, quickly reprioritise and deliver at pace. Experience in use of digital communications and social media. Creative flair and an appetite for exploring new ways of doing things. Experience with Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. ###

Behaviours

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


Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Leadership Working Together ###

Technical skills

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


Government Communications Service: Internal communication

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes 12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.


This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (Main Building in Whitehall) and working from home as a personal choice. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you before you take up your post. There is an expectation to come into the Main Building office up to three times a week.

Additional Benefits:

Learning and development tailored to your role 25 days paid annual leave rising (by 1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of five years' service In addition to eight public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for HM The King's birthday. An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% London locations may attract an allowance of 3,300 per annum. Discounts on a range of services within and external to the civil service - Defence Discount Service, Civil Service societies for Sports and Leisure, Healthcare, Insurance, Motoring, Company discounts with Virgin, Vodafone, and Microsoft Office. Find out more at Discover my benefits.

Please note:

The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. The Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access 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/.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. It's vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we're proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore.


The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.


MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey - We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Candidates will be asked to submit a 500-word statement setting out their relevant skills and experience. In addition, candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills.

Application stage

During the Application stage, candidates will be assessed against CV, Statement of suitability and the following Behaviours:

Communicating and Influencing Delivering at pace Leadership Working Together

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.


In the event of a large number of applicants, candidates will be assessed against the Communicating and Influencing.

Interview stage

During the Interview stage, candidates will be assessed against the following Behaviours and technical skills and knowledge:


Behaviours:

Communicating and Influencing Delivering at pace Leadership Working Together

Technical skills and knowledge:

Internal communication
The interview process will include a short presentation, with more information shared in advance of the interview for successful candidates.


Interviews are expected to happen in late May/early June.


Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.


The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.


If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .


As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.


Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.###

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



See our vetting charter .
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) 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
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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 .
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.###

Diversity and 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 .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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

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Job contact :

Name : Antony Hart Email : antony.hart120@mod.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk ###

Further information

partment's complaints process:




Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.