Government Communication Services Apprentice London, England
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Job description
When you join the GCS you will quickly find that no two days are ever the same. From helping to communicate the government’s Build Back Better plan to contributing to campaigns and guidance that support our NHS, an apprenticeship in government communications will give you the opportunity to begin a -varied and rewarding career while completing a Level 4 Qualification in Public Relations and Communications.
You will have the opportunity to work across the 5 communications disciplines, delivering cutting edge work for the UK Government. GCS is behind many of the stories you read, retweet and blog about, for example “Eat out to help out” 49,353 businesses signed up to the scheme and £849 million was claimed by them. As well as the most recent “Help for Households”
For more information on the Communications disciplines please click here.
What is the Government Communication Service (GCS) Apprenticeship all about?
As a GCS Apprentice, you will spend 18 months working in one or more communications teams across the GCS while studying for your Level 4 Public Relations and Communications Assistant qualification.
You will gain valuable work experience in communications specialisms, such as media and press, internal communications, digital media, campaigns and marketing or strategic engagement. You can find out more here
You will contribute to exciting new ideas and real issues that affect real people. For example, you could find yourself:
- using digital and social media to interest and engage people;
- working on government campaigns to encourage community participation;
- researching and analysing the needs of a variety of audiences;
- organising key events and visits for a variety of audiences.
The goal of the GCS Profession is to communicate effectively with everyone. But we can only do this when our GCS community reflects the people we’re communicating with. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, all social backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, genders and disabilities. GCS will arrange all reasonable adjustments to ensure everyone has the support they need.
You can find out more about the different communication roles in government and whether this one is right for you by viewing the GCS Career Framework and explore further information about us here.
To Find out more about the GCS Apprenticeship we will be holding a virtual Open evening on the 4th April. There will be talks from our education provider, Senior comms professionals and previous apprentices, you can register using the link.
What training will I receive as an Apprentice?
During the apprenticeship you will complete a Level 4 Public Relations and Communications Assistant qualification, delivered by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. This will supplement your work placement by providing …
- A fully embedded induction programme
- An initial assessment of your Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours in order to develop and enhance your career and personal progression
- English and Maths skills development in line with the Communications Functional Skills requirements set by the apprenticeship standard.
- On the job training delivered by the employer, with support from your line manager and wider team.
Person specification
What makes a great candidate for the GCS Apprenticeship?
Essential Criteria for the role; successful candidates will be able to:
- Demonstrate an interest in news stories and have an understanding of current affairs and the work of the Government Communication profession;
- Use communication tools and channels to deliver key messages; evaluate the impact and effectiveness of campaigns
- Be flexible, proactive and able to work under-pressure to deadlines.
- Demonstrate good interpersonal, written, presentation and verbal skills;
- Be organised and creative and demonstrate the ability to work effectively, independently and as part of a team
Eligibility
The apprenticeship is aimed at both individuals who have previous experience in communication and those who do not have a specific degree in a communications related topic.
To apply for an apprenticeship, you must have:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 (A*-C) or equivalent including English, with a minimum GCSE Maths grade 3.
- The equivalent of 2 A levels achieved by September 2023 , preferably including a communications related subject (for example English literature or English language).
In addition to the above requirement when applying for an apprenticeship, you must:
- be aged 16 or older
- not be in full-time education
- must not hold a level 4 qualification including a degree in a communications-related field
- have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom
- be undertaking only one apprenticeship at any one time
- have been living in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the last 3 years before starting an apprenticeship
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security (DBS) check and must meet the relevant security requirements for their department before they can be appointed.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Providing you meet the minimum application criteria, we can guarantee you an interview.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Grammar/punctuation - A written exercise may be used at interview stage to determine grammar/punctuation ability
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
Behaviours
The Civil Service uses a framework called ‘Success Profiles’ to recruit based on potential and skills. Behaviours are the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job.
For this role we'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
To find out more about Civil Service Behaviours, please see this guide. Apprenticeship roles are assessed against the level 1 behaviours.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Grammar/punctuation - A written exercise may be used at interview stage to determine grammar/punctuation ability
The application stage will consist of the following stages -
- Short application form stage (basic details).
- CV Assessment
- Full application form with a 500 word statement of suitability.
Tips for the Statement of Suitability
You may choose narrative, or bullet points. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why, what you can do, how you plan on making the most out of the scheme and the skills you have that are transferable to the essential criteria above. Due to the high number of applications we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are unsuccessful in the application sift.
If there are high numbers an initial sift will be completed on the statement of suitability.
Interview Stage
As part of the interview process, you will be asked to complete a presentation. Details will be shared closer to the time. The presentation will be assessed against the Insight behaviour level 1 of the GCS Competency Framework.
You may also be required to complete a written exercise to demonstrate grammar/punctuation.
You will also be required to answer questions based on the following Civil Service Behaviours:
- Level 1 Working Together
- Level 1 Managing a Quality service
- Level 1 Delivering at Pace
For more information on how to apply we will be hosting a virtual Open evening on the 4th April with tips on how to apply. To register please use the link
Please refer to the GCS Competency Framework and Civil Service Success Profiles - Behaviours for more information.
Offer
All applicants who are interviewed will be scored. If you are successful you will receive confirmation via email of your provisional employment offer subject to completion of the appropriate pre-employment checks. Any offer is provisional subject to successful completion of pre-appointment checks. Without security clearance you cannot complete your apprenticeship with the government department/agency.
The department/agency you are matched to will undertake your onboarding and clearance process. This can take up to 1-3 months or more to come through depending on the level of clearance needed. The security clearance level you will be required to undergo will depend on which department you are being posted to.
Please note: All offers are provisional until pre-appointment checks are completed. Start dates will only be discussed when checks are completed. You should not make any decisions to relocate until your checks have been completed and you have a start date agreed.
You will be required to provide evidence of all the qualifications stated in the eligibility criteria, failure to do so can result in you losing your place.
Posting
Please note that for this vacancy, successful candidates may be posted on merit based on their location preferences and this will depend on which department has made the bid. You will be able to state your preferred location(s) on your application form when you apply, but we cannot guarantee that you will be posted to your first choice of location.
Further Information
Further information for access to the apprenticeship can be found here If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. Any move to Government Communication Service 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
Applicants who are successful at interview may 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 the government. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms directly. 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.
Reasonable adjustment
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 an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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)
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
Further information on nationality requirements working for the Civil Service:
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Apply and further information
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
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 :
