Head of Digital Communications - Maternity cover
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 10th November 2024
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Loan
Length of employment
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Digital
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About the job
Job summary
At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.
We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.
We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.
We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.
We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.
Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.
Our Inclusive Environment
We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
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 D&I Strategy.
Find Out More
We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/Jae3B4w7xm |
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You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/
Job description
We are looking for an experienced digital communications expert and leader to drive innovative and strategic use of social media channels and digital content to communicate the department's priorities and announcements to a range of audiences. Not only will you be expected to grow the reach and engagement of existing audiences and channels, but there will also be a big focus on extending our reach outside of owned channels to reach people who are impacted by the department’s work but unlikely to already be engaging with government.
The role is a 13-month contract to cover the current Head of Digital's maternity leave, and you will need to start on or around 17th February 2025 to include a handover period. If you are an existing Civil Servant, please ensure that you have approval from your home organisation to be released on loan before applying.
So, what does the job entail?
You will be responsible for leading our team of multi-disciplined digital specialists, including channel and strategy managers, content producers such as graphic designers, videographers and photographer, and GOV.UK content designers. You will ensure they maintain the highest levels of creativity and standards across everything they deliver. We pride ourselves on having a supportive and inclusive culture that inspires people to be creative and ambitious.
You will be part of the Communications Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the Deputy Director for Media, Digital and Visits, and working closely with other heads of discipline such as Media and Strategic Communications, to ensure that teams are fully integrated and able to deliver on shared priorities and objectives. You will also work closely with senior stakeholders including Special Advisers and Ministers, advising them on best digital practice and approaches.
You will be part of the cross-government Heads of Digital community, working with other departments to share best practice, develop joined up digital strategies and champion the work of the DSIT team to senior stakeholders at No.10 and the Government Communication Service.
This is a fast paced, high-profile role where you will get to work on some of the most exciting projects in central government - from making sure we safely develop AI that can benefit real working people, to protecting children from online harm through the implementation of the Online Safety Act. You will need to have a proven track record in producing compelling, creative and accessible social media content and devising audience focused digital campaigns. You will need to work well under pressure, with the ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities which you will communicate clearly to your team. Occasional out of hours/weekend working will be needed.
A few examples of our recent work:
Video collaboration with GiveVision tech company, Crystal Palace Football Club and Sky Sports to show how government is supporting the development of tech to help visually impaired fans: https://x.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1846440007327752633
Video of our Secretary of State visiting a lab to demonstrate how a new task force will support innovation, like lab grown meat and leather https://x.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1843532015691239526
Video collaboration with Georgia Harrison and Home Office Minister Jess Phillips to announce a change to the law on intimate image abuse: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_2ZVa0INoO/
Graphic: https://x.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1834464551405818241
Animation to announce investment in a new national facility that will better predict adverse weather to help protect people’s homes and businesses https://x.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1830485919637422554
Video collaboration with Rathfinny vineyard to show how they’re using AI to improve British wine https://x.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1829146114668581197
Graphic to announce investment in quantum technology like portable brain scanners, using our in-house photography and design skills https://x.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1816715133919375630
Person specification
Key Responsibilities
Leadership of the team of 16, setting strategic direction to develop and deliver high quality digital communications strategies which communicate complex policies directly to the public in a way that protects and enhances the reputation of the government.
Drive creative channel and content strategies to reach and grow audiences on owned departmental channels, as well as working with external influencers and stakeholders to reach audiences on earned channels.
Overall responsibility for all departmental content on GOV.UK, delivering through the GOV.UK Team.
Develop and manage relationships across the Communications Directorate, with Special Advisers, and Ministerial Private Offices to ensure digital content is an integral part of all communications planning and delivery.
Overall responsibility for GOV.UK campaign websites and external websites, working with Comms, Integrated Corporate Services Digital and the Government Digital Service to agree when they are required and ensure quality and accessibility compliance.
Overall responsibility for departmental brand development and management.
Delivering honest evaluation, continuous improvement and optimisation of outputs based on data and regular benchmarking and setting KPIs.
Line management of the Grade 7 Head of Channels and Engagement, Grade 7 Head of Content and GOV.UK Managing Editor.
Lead the team through periods of changing priorities and crisis, including hands-on content planning, drafting and commissioning during high profile and pressurised moments.
Play an active role in the wider Senior Leadership Team to shape the standards and culture in the Communications Directorate.
Play an active role in the cross-government GCS Heads of Digital group to shape the wider approach to digital communications and transformation in government, ensure join up on cross-government priorities and share resource when needed.
Skills and Experience
Proven experience in leadership and management, setting strategic communication objectives for digital channels, and inspiring and motivating teams to deliver and perform at their best
A communications specialist with a proven background in developing and implementing innovative digital and social media strategies, and the ability to think strategically and creatively about where digital is going next
Previous experience of managing multiple high profile social media accounts
Significant editorial experience, with the ability to create compelling stories that resonate with target audiences and high quality, engaging content for social media and campaigns
Experience working within a fast-paced communications environment, prioritising competing demands effectively, and meeting emerging needs in a timely manner
Experience of leading during a crisis and having oversight for operational response activity across digital channels, including websites and social media
Strong understanding of politics and media relations, and the role of digital channels in managing proactive news announcements and reactive responses
Expert understanding of digital and social media metrics and using evaluation to shape future work, as well as understanding their role within wider organisational success and the ability to communicate that in a digestible way to senior leaders
Ability to quickly build strong relationships to effectively manage staff performance and influence senior stakeholders to deliver high quality communications and drive change.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor approaches and products to different audiences
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Ideas (including innovation and creativity) https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/publications/competency-framework/
- Implementation (how you deliver) https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/publications/competency-framework/
Benefits
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
- A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
- Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
- An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
- Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
- A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need.
Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home-based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to tell us about the digital communications and leadership skills and experience you have that you think will make you suitable for this role, closely referencing the required skills and experience above. Please include some specific examples of your work that demonstrate your skills and experience.
Applications will be sifted on CV and personal statement.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the CV.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will consist of behaviour and technical-based questions.
Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.
Sift and interview dates
Expected Timeline subject to change
Sift dates: w/c 11/11/2024
Interview dates: w/c 25/11/2024
Interview Location: MS Teams.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further Information
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply,and can be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.
Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DSIT Candidate Guidance. A DSIT Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants' section.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
A location-based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e., working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.
DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
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 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.
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’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Vetting
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Feedback
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 : Francesca Clifford
- Email : francesca.clifford@dsit.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dsitresourcing.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
