Communications Team Co-ordinator
Office for Environmental Protection
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 7th November 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
Do you have an eye for detail, a flair for organisation and an interest in the environment?
Could you see yourself working at the heart of a small but busy and passionate communications team?
Could you help ensure that a challenging work-schedule is delivered on time and to a high standard, with quality products published and our messages reaching the right audiences?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
This role is based within our Communications and Strategic Relations Team, which has wide ranging responsibilities including media, stakeholder, internal and digital communications, as well as production and publication of reports. The team plays a vital part in helping the organisation achieve its mission of protecting and improving the environment by holding governments and public bodies to account. We pride ourselves on providing excellent communications support to colleagues across the organisation. To do this we must be organised, with clear processes for tracking work and delivering desired outcomes.
With a total staff of just over 80, we are a dynamic, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England, Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment.
To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website .
The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra in England and DAERA in Northern Ireland which means we operates independently from Defra. Our employees are public servants and as part of the benefits package, employees have the opportunity to enrol in the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a small, dedicated, team to help deliver a high standard of communications support and high quality publications that will contribute to our mission to protect and improve the environment.
The Communications Team Co-ordinator, part of the Communications and Strategic Relationships Team, will ensure the team works efficiently and in an organised way to deliver its many tasks and responsibilities, including overseeing the processes to take OEP reports from final drafts through to finished products which are published online, on time and to budget.
They will also post content to a number of digital channels and co-ordinate communications team activity by tracking activities and tasks, manage relationships with external contractors and support on financial processes, and oversee our media monitoring activities.
The successful candidate will agree required timelines for delivery and ensure that deadlines are met, including processes to ensure content is reviewed and amendments are made correctly. They will liaise between OEP teams and contractors to develop visual content for reports.
They will also co-ordinate communications team activity by tracking tasks, managing relationships with external contractors and supporting on financial processes.
They will also upload content to a number of different communications channels, including the OEP website, social media channels and intranet.
The role-holder will:
- Be responsible for co-ordinating the processes for design and typesetting of OEP reports, working with different teams across the OEP and external contractors to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met
- Support communications team colleagues by overseeing systems and processes to record and track activities
- Assist with the delivery of communications plans and activities, including managing distribution lists, invitations and financial processes
- Upload content to a number of OEP communication channels, including the website, social media channels and intranet
- Be responsible for processes and resources to ensure digital content is of high quality and attractive, including image libraries, user guides and templates
- Manage relationships with external contractors and suppliers
- Be responsible for quality control of our internal and external communications materials to ensure they adhere to brand guidelines
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Person specification
Essential Criteria;
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage both your own time and workload and to co-ordinate other team members, teams and stakeholders to meet objectives
- Ability to develop and implement processes to deliver a specific goal or outcome efficiently and to a high standard
- Ability to oversee a number of different projects simultaneously while keeping to schedule
- Experience using content management systems for digital communication platforms
- Experience using social media channels posting content to reach target audiences and maintaining records of engagement
- Ability to communicate with a range of colleagues from across different teams and areas of the business to oversee delivery of tasks to a set timeline and problem solve where necessary
- Proven experience in building, managing and maintaining excellent working relationships with stakeholder, contractors and suppliers
- Understanding and knowledge of the report production processes, including typesetting, proof-reading and development of graphics and visual content would be desirable
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Leave and Flexible Working
The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.
Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.
The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.
Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme
The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees. Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis.
The OEP has a quarterly ‘In-year Bonus Scheme’ where individuals and/ or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements.
Learning and Development
The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development.
Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses.
Staff Wellbeing
Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.
- Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.
- Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.
- Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
- Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.
- Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.
Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits
All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
The OEP uses the Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of five elements: Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical. It is strongly recommend you have a look at the Success Profiles to enable you to make the best application possible.
When writing or presenting behaviours, the OEP recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV detailing qualifications and work history; a 750 word statement of suitability on how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification in the advert.
In your personal statement please answer the following two questions, we recommend that you use approximately 350 words per question:
1) Please provide details of how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification required for the role providing examples to show your experience.
2) Please include an example of how you have managed a process to deliver a specific outcome, including working with a range of other people.
The personal statement is a very important part of your application. Review the person specification and essential experience and skills criteria on the job description and outline how you meet it providing specific and relevant examples. These could be from work, volunteering, training or education.
Further details are provided on the application form.
Sift
After the closing date, your application will be reviewed against the essential sift criteria outlined for the role.
Once the sift has concluded, applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the closing date. Please note that feedback will not be given to applications at sift stage.
Interview and ID Verification
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on experience and behaviours.
At interview, you may be required to deliver a presentation or complete an additional exercise. If this is required, details will be sent alongside your invite to interview.
Our aim is to hold interviews in person at either our office in Worcester or our touch down space in Northern Ireland wherever possible.
Travel and subsistence costs will not be reimbursed for candidates travelling to interview.
Appointments
All appointments will be made in merit order.
Identification
Candidates will need to bring ID to interview for verification in person. Human Resources will contact you to advise what ID you need to bring.
Following interview, ID will need to be checked for Right to Work and BPSS security clearance. This will be done by secure online platforms via the Government Recruitment Service.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.
Near Miss Appointments
On occasion candidates may attend interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. The OEP may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Location and Office Attendance
All OEP roles are based in Worcester and/ or Northern Ireland. This role is based in either Northern Ireland or Worcester.
All GB employees will be contractually based at the Worcester office. The OEP embraces a blended working model and supports a combination of office and home working which will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. Our current office attendance approach requires 40% attendance in one of the OEP offices or on official OEP business at offsite meetings with partners and customers. This approach enables thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.
If GB based, travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to the Worcester office.
Employees based in Northern Ireland will be contractually home based. There will be an expectation of travel to Worcester but this will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. As a guideline, it’s envisaged that travel to Worcester would be between 4 and 6 times a year, fully funded by the OEP. However, travel will be a 2-way commitment, with other OEP staff members being expected to travel to NI at a similar frequency. Northern Ireland based staff currently have access to a touch down space in Belfast to enable collaborative working.
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 the OEP at recruitment@theoep.org.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” 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’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please note that the OEP is not a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License Sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the OEP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. 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
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : OEP Recruitment
- Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Further information
