Directorate of Defence Communications (DDC) Press Officer

Ministry of Defence

Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 20th November 2024

 
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Details

Reference number

376417

Salary

£35,290
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

MOD - Head Office & Corporate Services - Directorate of Defence Communications - News Team

Type of role

Press Relations

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

Whitehall, London

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence is seeking a talented and motivated Press Officer to join one of government’s busiest and highest-profile news teams.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing media coverage and communications relating to military policy across the UK and around the globe – from the UK’s response to the war in Ukraine to the latest technology and equipment being developed for defence.

The post holder will be expected to engage with national and international media (print, broadcast and digital), working closely with ministers, military officials, policy teams and No10 Downing Street to deliver proactive and reactive communications.

The Ministry of Defence is looking for those who enjoy delivering interesting and diverse communications at pace to continue to enhance the reputation of the department, UK Government and Armed Forces; and to support global security and stability.

You will be expected to work from the Ministry of Defence’s Whitehall Office for the majority of the time. 

This position is advertised at 36/37 hours per week, Tacos Dependant.

Job description

The Ministry of Defence – including the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force – are subject to intense public, parliamentary and media scrutiny.

You will be responsible for delivering successful proactive and reactive communications which protect and enhance the reputation of the department and the Armed Forces.

You will:

  • Respond to enquiries from national, international, regional, consumer and digital media outlets to enhance and protect the reputation of the department, ministers and senior military officers.
  • Draft press releases, statements, and briefings for senior spokespeople, Ministers and the military.
  • Manage media arrangements at a range of high-profile events.
  • Provide professional and comprehensive communications advice to ministers, military officers, senior officials, special advisors, and members of the Directorate of Defence Communications.

As part of the News team, you will report to a Senior Communications Officer.

You will be required to take part in the out-of-hours duty rota, dealing with media enquiries across the full breadth of the MOD’s responsibilities. This can involve occasional overnight stays in MOD accommodation, for which a generous allowance is paid and time off in lieu given.

Communication areas you will cover include, but are not restricted to:

  • Military Operations overseas
  • Equipment procurement and latest technology being developed in Defence
  • Lawfare and wider Defence policy issues that affect how the UK Armed Forces operate.

The role will provide opportunities for travel, both within the UK and abroad and wider media minding asks from across the directorate.

Person specification

Essential criteria include:

  • Excellent understanding of the media and social media landscape.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • The discretion to handle classified and sensitive information pertaining to global military operations.
  • Confidence and good judgement, as successful candidates will be required to become a trusted adviser to ministers and senior military officers. 

Desirable criteria include:

  • A proven record of working either in a media/press office environment, or in defence/international affairs.
  • Experience of news management in PR or journalism.
  • Experience of using social media and evaluating communications.

The successful candidate will take part in the press office out-of-hours duty rota, which will require occasional overnight stays in MOD accommodation.

Behaviours

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

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

  • • Government Communication Service (GCS) Professional Competency Framework Implementation (Core) - https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Government-Communication-Service-Career-Framework.pdf
Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,223 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
  • Learning and development tailored to your role 
  • An environment with flexible working options 
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity 
  • London weighting of £3250 per annum 
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27% 
  • Free use of gym at Main Building 
  • Season ticket advance to assist with travel costs to/from home and your permanent work location  

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. 

    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.  

    Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 

    Please be advised that 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/. 

    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. 

    Selection process details

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

    Assess success profiles – Behaviours and Technical Skills:

    Application Stage:

    • Communicating & Influencing
    • Delivering at Pace

    Interview Stage:

    • Managing a Quality Service
    • Seeing the Bigger Picture

    Government Communication Service (GCS) Professional Competency Framework Implementation (Core) - https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Government-Communication-Service-Career-Framework.pdf

    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 (opens in a new window).

    See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
    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.

    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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
    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 : Rehanna Jones
    • Email : rehanna.jones678@mod.gov.uk

    Recruitment team

    • Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk

    Further information

    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.

    Attachments

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