Communications Officer
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 8th November 2024
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For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’.
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About the job
Job summary
Would you like to work on exciting issues that really make a difference to people’s lives? As the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) plays a pivotal role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, the water we drink, to the air we breathe.
Within the Defra Communications Directorate you will be welcomed into a collaborative, professional network and supported to build a fulfilling and impactful career. We provide a communications service to the department and other Defra group bodies, such as the Environment Agency, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), Natural England and the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA).
Successful candidates will be placed in one of the following teams within the Defra Communications Directorate: External Affairs, Media, or Operational and Local Communications.
Job description
- Taking the lead on creating and delivering multi-channel communications plans across media, stakeholders and multiple channels, working with policy and external delivery colleagues.
- Excellent knowledge of the national news agenda and drafting communications handling; strong news judgment and political awareness; exceptional writing skills; and the ability to confidently present and evaluate their work.
- Leading on evaluating the success of our communications to help us continually improve how we communicate with our target audiences, gathering insight and data to help design and evaluate communications and apply lessons learnt.
- Working with teams to create accurate and engaging content – news articles, op-eds, blogs and social media content such as graphics, videos, imagery – and repurposing this across a variety of channels.
- Using digital tools to provide issue monitoring, reporting and rebuttal advice to Defra and the ALBs group communications supports.
- Building strong working relationships with peers and clients and being able to deliver work at pace to short timescales, as well as proactively seeking opportunities to expand our reach by engaging with new groups, including journalists and stakeholders.
- Maintaining a forward planner to support planning for key communications milestones.
- Protecting and enhancing the reputation of Defra group through horizon scanning, issues management and internal communications.
Person specification
- Experience of delivery of well thought through internal or external communications plans, considering multiple disciplines.
- A strong track record of developing effective internal and external working relationships and working at pace.
- The ability to write clearly and to contribute to strong communications and stakeholder engagement plans, email updates, meeting notes and presentations.
- Ability to think strategically and identify opportunities to communicate effectively across a variety of audiences including the media, stakeholders and the public.
- Excellent planning, management and organisational ability.
- The ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines, as well as supporting others in these circumstances.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Government Communication Service (GCS) Competency 1: Insight
- Government Communication Service (GCS) Competency 2: Ideas
- Government Communication Service (GCS) Competency 3: Implementation
- Government Communication Service (GCS) Competency 4: Impact
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to submit a CV, personal statement and Civil Service Behaviour statements.
For your personal statement, please provide detailed evidence of the criteria in the person specification.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates, as well as the interview location, to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the following technical skills:
Government Communication Service (GCS) Technical Competency: Insight
Government Communication Service (GCS) Technical Competency: Ideas
Government Communication Service (GCS) Technical Competency: Implementation
Government Communication Service (GCS) Technical Competency: Impact
Candidates will be asked to demonstrate the Information Officer (IO) level skills and knowledge for each Technical Competency.
A presentation/additional exercise may also be assessed.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)
Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be 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 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.
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 Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.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.
Internal Fraud Database Check
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.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Higher Security Clearance
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.
These posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Marsham Street, London will be subject to a higher level of clearance (CTC) because of the security requirements for that location; other locations do not require CTC clearance. Job offers to this post are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra 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 : Kathie Coad
- Email : kathie.coad@defra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.
