Communications Support Officer Swindon, Wiltshire, South West England, England
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About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
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About the job
Job summary
Background: The UK Space Agency:
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government’s space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government’s vision.
Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity’s horizons.
We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country.
Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sector’s interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes.
We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency.
More information about the Agency is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency
To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZZ-o0IkVU
Our Inclusive Environment
We have an inclusive culture to make UKSA a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.
We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion.
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to join a top communications team at a fascinating time, to support digital, media and internal UK Space Agency communications and website content.
The varied role provides an excellent opportunity to develop a range of core communication skills and gain valuable experience working on high-profile space projects with public and political interest. Training and guidance will be provided to help you feel confident in your work.
The day-to-day in communications will range from developing digital content for social media, including filming and editing videos, to helping write press releases and blogs, working with journalists, and communicating vital information to UK Space Agency staff.
Part of the role will also be assisting on content for the UK Space Agency’s gov.uk website, gaining valuable skills in government web design with a focus on user need and accessibility.
Our website is the main source of news and updates for the UK Space Agency and space in government and is used by a large range of audiences, from space businesses and academics looking for funding, to teachers and parents seeking space educational and careers content. It will be part of your job to help develop brilliant content that appeals to and draws in those audiences.
This is an incredibly exciting time for the UK Space Agency, as we implement the National Space Strategy and develop satellite launch capability from the UK.
You will report to the Senior Digital Communications Officer, but also work closely with other members of the communications team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide support across the communications team, including digital content creation and social media outreach, media relations, events, strategic communications and internal communications.
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Assist with developing high-quality web content for the UK Space Agency website, with user need and accessible design in mind.
- Complete training and develop knowledge of modern communications and understanding of gov.uk and wider web content design, including ensuring approaches remain up-to-date and professional, and converting content to accessible HTML styles where necessary.
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Use analytics and research to better understand the diverse needs and requirements of the UK space sector and other partners to improve communications and web content.
- Produce evaluations of communications output and engagement, feeding into wider communications summaries to inform ongoing improvements.
- Work with teams and subject matter experts to make sure communications and web content is accurate and up to date.
- Support team administration including managing multimedia libraries, helping fulfil requests for marketing materials and supporting external Agency events.
- Remain aware of the evolving communications landscape, including how digital channels and trends develop.
- Contribute new ideas to ensure our communications activity continues to reach diverse audiences.
Person specification
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience:
- Demonstrable communications skills – both written and oral.
- Experience of communications in a professional environment, such as social media or web content management systems, or working in media relations.
- Confidence to work with people at different levels of the organisation, including senior leaders.
- Comfortable with basic IT.
Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience:
- An interest in space.
- Experience of communicating space, science or technical subjects to the general public.
- Experience with photography/videography/motion graphics.
- Experience of creating content for websites, ideally including gov.uk.
- Relevant degree or professional qualification (or working towards one).
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Government Communications Service - Ideas
- Government Communications Service - Impact
Benefits
UKSA offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
- A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
- Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
- An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
- Access to a range of retail, travel, and lifestyle employee discounts.
- A generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package.
- This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home, or elsewhere, as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this). If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
- 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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
The UKSA Agency is currently going through a transformation programme, and we are putting the following wording under things you need to know section “Please note that UKSA is currently undergoing a transformation programme and it is likely that some posts may be affected during this process which could lead to changes to the job description, team or line manager for this role as a result.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a number of Behavioural statements and Technical skills examples.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.
The Sift will be assessed on Behaviours and Technical Skills
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted 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.
The Interview will be assessed on Behaviours and Technical Skills
Sift and interview dates
Expected Timeline subject to change
Sift date: w/c 10th April 2023
Interview date: w/c 24th April 2023
Interview Location: MS Teams.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further Information
This post is advertised as a Fixed term or Loan contract for a period of 12 months.
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.
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 [email protected] 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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
Any move to UK Space 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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 circumstance 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 [email protected] 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.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team :
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. 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
