editor London, England
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About the job
Job summary
We’re looking for a confident self-starter to work in our innovative and highly regarded Digital Communications team at one of Whitehall’s most important departments. The team designs and delivers integrated digital communications to support high-profile Home Office announcements and campaigns.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the most dynamic and influential teams in government communications and to play a central role in issues affecting the lives of millions of people.
Job description
This role will be part of a multi-disciplinary team working together to deliver key elements of the Home Office’s communications strategy.
The successful candidate will be based in the core digital communications team, they will help to ensure the team’s output remains at the cutting edge of government comms.
The content they create will include high-quality video, photography, graphics and animation.
They will be supported to learn and develop, bring their own ideas, challenge the status quo and experiment with new approaches.
The role will involve interaction with stakeholders across the directorate and wider government.
They will be part of the out of office duty system for social media.
Due to the nature of the role, it is only available on a full-time basis.
The role is London-based due to the requirement to undertake filming and other activity at our London HQ.
This role is suitable for hybrid working. Hybrid working enables employees to work partly in their workplace(s) and partly at home. In line with HO Hybrid Working policy, there will be flexibility to adopt a hybrid working pattern which would see the post holder spend 40% of their week in the office, with the remainder working from home.
The fixed term appointment will be for a period of up to 12 months to complete a finite piece of work. Home Office staff applying will be on Detached Duty terms.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, on a 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.
Person specification
- Help in the timely production of a steady stream of high-quality digital content which aligns to the objectives of our communications strategy.
- Plan, capture and edit video to create high-quality and engaging content.
- Be well-organised, with the skills required to manage multiple workstreams concurrently.
- Have a good understanding of the digital media landscape and some awareness of the news, government and politics environment.
Essential criteria
- Excellent photo, videography and video editing skills. Able to film, edit and subtitle videos, as well as capture and edit engaging photographs.
- Content creation skills in either Adobe Creative Cloud or equivalent.
- A good understanding of digital communications, in particular how to drive reach and engagement through engaging content.
- Ability to motivate people and encourage joint working and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and manage their time effectively to meet deadlines, with a willingness to travel regularly to gather content.
- Sound knowledge of social trends and formats, good platform knowledge.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a similar role in a fast-paced or high-profile organisation such as government or media.
- Ability to produce animated videos/animations as well as carry out design work using InDesign and other creative software.
- Video storyboarding and scriptwriting experience.
- Understanding of how to leverage the news agenda to help meet objectives.
Recruitment and retention allowance (RRA)
Successful candidates will be eligible for an annual RRA of £2,300. This allowance is subject to review and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Delivering at Pace
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 average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
- A CV detailing job history/qualifications/skills
- A statement of suitability (personal statement) (maximum 750 words)
- Provide evidence of the lead Behaviour - Delivering at Pace (250 words maximum)
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please note the Suitability Statement should concisely explain your motivation for applying to this role, evidencing how you meet the essential criteria listed on the Job Specification.
The sift will be based on the Suitability Statement and Behaviour example.
The CV is for information purposes only and will not be marked.
In the event a high volume of applications are received, an initial sift will be based on the Lead Behaviour - Delivering at Pace. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.
Candidates shortlisted will be invited to an interview which will focus on Behaviour-based questions on all the Behaviours listed.
Sift and interview dates
Sift is expected to take place during week commencing 14th August 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 4th September 2023.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert, however on occasions these dates may change.
Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:
- A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
- Good internet connection
- Microsoft Teams
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.
Further Information
A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role or similar role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
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 had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home Office 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 Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
[email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
