Head of Communications - Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 20th October 2024
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Loan
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Press Relations
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About the job
Job summary
On 26th February 2020, the Prime Minister committed to an Independent Inquiry related to a long-running dispute between postmasters and Post Office Limited (POL) connected with the Horizon IT system, which was settled in December 2019 after lengthy litigation. Delivering a successful Inquiry is a key Ministerial and Permanent Secretary priority.
The Inquiry led by Chair Sir Wyn Williams, is tasked with ensuring there is a public summary of the failings that occurred, which were associated with Horizon and other issues. Its scope is set out in the terms of reference.
Given the high profile of the inquiry, we're looking for an experienced communications professional with strong media relations skills to join our team, leading the development of high-quality plans to tell the story of the Inquiry’s work investigating what has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British legal history.
This role offers the chance to make a positive impact, and to develop a broader understanding of comms outside of government department roles.
Job description
The successful candidate will:
- Develop and maintain the Inquiry’s communications strategy, with a particular focus on the publication of Sir Wyn Williams’ final report and recommendations, and delivery of the Inquiry’s Legacy Project. More information about the Legacy Project is available here: https://www.postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk/news/shaping-legacy-project-read-out-october-engagement-session
- Oversee the development and implementation of multi-channel media plans to ensure activities reflect policy developments and the emerging news agenda and contribute to the wider communications strategy and the goals of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry.
- Deliver engaging, creative content that tells our story, working constructively with senior policy/legal colleagues and partners to gain expert opinion.
- Provide considered communications advice to the Chair of the Inquiry, Secretary, and senior officials on new, developing and existing policy.
- Editorial oversight of all external communications activity. Demonstrate excellent written and editing skills to ensure high standards of quality and accuracy across the team, delivering quality and timely press releases, rebuttals and lines to take in response to developing stories
- Deliver strong evaluation of media strategies to inform future proactive and reactive media campaigns
- Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, including the media.
- Oversee management of the Inquiry’s social media channels, including the development of creative video and visual content.
- Oversee effective management and maintenance of the Inquiry’s website, including the contract with web developers and ensure compliance with other applicable digital accessibility (e.g. ReciteMe) or other requirements (e.g. data protection)
- Manage and develop 1 x SEO, 1 x HEO and potentially up to 2 EOs.
If you would like to discuss what the role would entail, please reach out to Ben Woodthorne, benedict.woodthorne@postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk.
Person specification
Essential:
Experience of working in a fast-paced role, with highly effective media, rebuttal and crisis management skills.
Excellent written and oral communications skills.
Sharp news sense, excellent judgement, strong political savvy and outstanding communications skills.
Experienced and skilled in translating complex and detailed information into engaging and easy-to-understand language, delivering creative communications plans that encompass a range of channels including traditional and social media.
Desirable:
Experience of leading a communications team.
Experience of coordinating large-scale media events.
If an external candidate, this would be an Fixed Term Appointment. If an existing civil servant, this would be a loan from your current department/arm’s length body (ALB) for the inquiry’s duration. As in any loan, once the inquiry has completed, you would return to your current department/ALB.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Competency: Ideas
- Competency: Implementation
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%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
- A Personal Statement explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Lead Behaviour (Communicating and Influencing).
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.
In addition to this there will be a one hour time bound exercise ahead of the interview to respond to a prompt and will scored for the GCS Competency Implementation.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only 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 Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
- Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
- The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
- New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
- 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. Any applicant who has 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.
- Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
- Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
- This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
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.
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 : benedict.woodthorne@postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk
- Email : benedict.woodthorne@postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk
- Telephone : 07741703763
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
