Senior Communications Manager (2 roles)
Food Standards Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 24th November 2024
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Location
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas.
Travel within the UK will be required on an occasional basis, possibly with overnight stays.
About the job
Job summary
Are you passionate about creating insight-led communications that engage and motivate?
Food matters. It is integral to who we are and how we live. It impacts on our health, defines our communities and powers our economy. The work that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) does impacts people in every corner of the UK.
We are a non-ministerial department of over 1600 people and play a critical role in protecting public health and consumers’ wider interests in food across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our vision is an important one - to drive change, delivering “food you can trust” and working towards a healthier and more sustainable food system.
We are seeking two Senior Communications Managers – one within our Campaigns, Content and Channels team and one within Internal Communications team. Each position offers the post holder the chance to create exciting campaigns and engaging content - that has the power to engage FSA colleagues or influence and impact the way the nation eats, creating a safer UK for years to come
Job description
The Senior Communications Manager - Campaigns post offers an exciting and varied role, from planning communications activity to creating high quality content across a number of platforms. Seeking a better understanding of the impact of our work, you will use insight and analytic tools to create more effective strategies, whilst listening to partners and stakeholders to ensure everyone is heard and represented by the Agency.
From advising senior leaders and teams on how to land colleague messages with impact, to looking for creative ways to expand our colleague engagement, the Senior Communications Manager – Internal Communications will also enjoy a varied and creative role. The successful candidate will build strong relationships within the Agency, working with colleagues, HR and our staff networks to ensure FSA messaging is delivered effectively across the organisation and is accurate and inclusive.
Both roles require a proactive leader who can present the FSA’s vision and messaging appropriately. Working as part of the communications team, the successful candidates will work closely with colleagues, offering support and insight wherever necessary. Evaluation will underpin all that you do.
Candidates will have excellent technical communications skills and a strong ability to engage with the bigger picture. You will be able to identify the way your work can impact the perception of internal or external audiences, to create the most effective campaigns possible. We are looking for enthusiastic team players who are capable of delivering high quality results whilst maintaining a strong pace.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
This recruitment exercise is a joint campaign for two very similar roles. Although candidates may, if they wish, express a preference in their personal statement for a particular role, the panel will determine suitability for either role available.
Working pattern guidance
If applying as a job share partnership, you should both complete separate application forms on Civil Service Jobs, but should make it clear that you are applying as job sharers. Further details on job sharing can be found here JSF – What is the recruitment process for job sharers? , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
Applicants who wish to work compressed hours are welcome to apply - however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying
Person specification
Please read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, our organisation, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process.
We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack.
Application and shortlisting
You will be asked to provide personal details (not seen by the Panel) and to confirm your eligibility to apply for the role.
You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential and desirable criteria. (Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie between candidates).
Essential criteria
Experience
- Lead criteria: Experience effectively managing the design and delivery of strategic campaign plans, including cross-team working and creative thinking.
- A strong understanding of audience insights and how these can drive behaviour change
- Flexible, creative thinking. With experience of testing and refining ideas to develop innovative solutions.
- Experience managing and delivering the evaluation of all campaign plans, including defining clear metrics that relate to measurable communication and policy/ business outcomes.
- Proven ability to work closely with and influence senior leaders.
Desirable criteria (Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie between candidates).
Experience
- Experience constructing marketing briefs and tendering documents to an agreed standard, applying rigour and robust financial management throughout (Campaigns role).
OR
- Digital and multimedia skills, including use of Canva, basic video-editing, SharePoint (intranet management and design) (Internal Comms role).
Lead Criteria An initial sift will take place on the Lead Criteria.
In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark for the Lead Criteria may be raised at shortlisting stage. Candidates who apply under the DCS, GPTW or RIS schemes and meet the minimum requirements will be unaffected by the pass mark raise.
Interview
If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following Technical requirements of the role and Civil Service Behaviours.
Technical (Assessed via assessment exercise)
We'll assess you against the following technical skills as set out in the Competency Framework - technical specifications - GCS (in one assessment exercise).
- Insight
- Ideas
- Implementation
- Evaluation
Behaviours
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Assessment exercise
As part of the interview process, you will be asked to prepare a seen presentation. Further information will be provided to you on the invitation to interview email.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview, including your CV and any statements or examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Expected Timeline
Advert closes: 24 November 2024 (23:55)
Sift: Expected to take place during week commencing 25 November 2024
Final panel interview: Expected to take place 9 and 10 December 2024
Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. (If you do not have the Microsoft Teams application installed on your computer, you can join on the web without installing the application).
Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the Food Standards Agency 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
Reserve List
A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that the FSA does not hold a licence to sponsor any visa applications and we are unable to provide any advice about visas.
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 : Jenny Allsop
- Email : jenny.allsop@food.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk
Further information
