Communications & Engagement Manager
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 30th September 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Working towards sustainable futures. Championing diversity in the workplace. At the Department for Work and Pensions, it’s all in a day’s work. From HR to Finance, Policy to Communications, this is work that sustains and supports, where everyone’s voice is heard, and our customers are at the heart of everything we do. For a career packed with possibility, a comprehensive benefits package, where we live by our values and have the opportunity to improve the lives of people across the UK, look no further.
DWP Finance Group (FG) ensures the Department makes the best possible use of our resources, delivering and protecting value from our budget, ensuring delivery of a modern, fair, affordable and secure welfare system that makes a positive difference to people's lives now and in the future.
This role is critical to cross cutting activity at the heart of FG and sits within the People Planning and Business Management Division within the Strategic Finance directorate. The communications team is responsible for sharing news, information, and advice, through a range of channels, increasing senior leaders’ visibility and helping colleagues understand and connect with Finance Group.
The role will shape, drive and deliver dynamic and efficient communication and engagement activities across Finance Group to over 2500 colleagues. The post holder will collaborate with a broad spectrum of stakeholders to deliver timely, accessible communications, to induct, include and inform FG colleagues.
We are a small team, with team members across FG hub locations. Successful candidates will be joining a highly committed, supportive and sociable division in a range of locations. They will need to work across the whole of FG working with all levels of the organisation.
Job description
At DWP we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve.
We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career at DWP accessible to you.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success, and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
As one of the largest government departments, almost every individual in the UK is a direct customer of DWP at some point in their lives. DWP’s mission is to improve people’s quality of life, both now and in the future. We do that by focussing on delivering excellent services that make a difference to millions of people. We trust and empower our people to deliver these services to customers every day, including the most vulnerable in society.
We seek to be an exemplar of the modern Civil Service, and to build on our achievements for the benefit of those we serve. When we are at our best, we care, we deliver, we adapt, we work together and we value everyone, and we seek to ensure that these values guide the way we serve our country, our communities, and our fellow citizens.
You will be adaptable, resilient, and able to undertake and prioritise a diverse range of tasks. Working collaboratively, you will be responsible for aligning FG communications to Departmental and FG drivers, including strategic priorities and campaigns. Working with a cross section of stakeholders you will be responsible for leading a small team to:
- Embed, evaluate and continuously review FG’s communication approach.
- Maintain the FG communication plan aligned to FG and wider departmental priorities.
- Oversee, draft and deliver FG communications and engagement products via the various platforms.
- Develop and implement innovative solutions for FG communications.
- Lead on logistical arrangements and briefing for FG senior leads to support FG communication events e.g. all staff calls.
- Maintain and develop FG Departmental intranet presence and SharePoint hub which provides news related content to over 2500 colleagues.
- Identify opportunities to raise the profile of FG across DWP by ensuring that news and stories are submitted for inclusion in DWP channels.
- Build your own and team’s knowledge and skills through learning, development and networking to stay up to date with, and share good practice.
Due to the team structure this role is not suitable for part time working.
Hybrid working
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
This role can only be worked from the UK.
Postings
Posting will be made in merit order. A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location.
The roles available can be based in:
- Blackpool Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES.
- Leeds – Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UA.
- Manchester – 2 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3AA.
- Newcastle – Benton Park View, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1BA.
- Sheffield – Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD.
Person specification
The Successful Candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:
Essential Criteria
- LEAD CRITERIA - Leading, coordinating and delivering a dynamic communication service and activities across a broad organisation via multiple mechanisms.
- Providing visible, inclusive leadership that builds capability, drives continuous improvement with outstanding collaboration and influencing at all levels.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience of drafting, briefing, proof-reading senior leader and strategic communications that explain complex information succinctly to a wide diverse audience.
- Developing innovative solutions to improve services across a broad organisation to meet the needs of a wide range of stakeholders.
- Prioritising and adapting a fast-moving workload to meet changing demands and customer needs.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
Benefits
Alongside your salary, the Department for Work and Pensions contributes 28.97% towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
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.
Personal Statement
You will be asked to complete a Personal Statement no longer than 1000 words long, which shows examples of work that you have done which demonstrates the essential criteria. We recommend that you make full use of the word count, and layout clearly what you did and how you did it, so we can see the full breadth of your experience.
CV
You will be asked to input details of your CV and job history as part of the application. Please note you cannot attach a CV document, the information must be transferred onto the application form.
The sift panel will use the information in your CV, job history and Personal Statement to assess your experience, skills and knowledge against the essential criteria.
Your CV & Personal Statement will be scored together against the essential criteria listed in the advert, and you will be provided with one overall score.
In the event that there are a large volume of applications, there may be an initial sift on the lead criteria:
“Leading, coordinating and delivering a dynamic communication service and activities across a broad organisation via multiple mechanisms.”
Should this be the case then only candidates who pass the initial sift will go onto a full sift. Candidates who pass full sift only, will be invited to an interview for this role.
Interview
If you have been successful in sift stage, you will be invited to an online interview vie TEAMS, where you will be assessed against the behaviours listed in the advert as well as strength-based questions.
Behaviour based questions are around evidence of what you have done and how you did it. Strength based questions are more around your initial response, and therefore there is no preparation needed for strengths. You will need to produce evidence of ID at your video interview.
Timeline
Application sift is planned to be carried out 2nd October 2024 onwards.
Interviews are planned to be carried out week commencing 21st October 2024.
Please be advised that the above dates are indicative only and are subject to change.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Any move to DWP 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
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” 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.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
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.
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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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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 : Jackie Alderson
- Email : jacqueline.alderson@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.
