Press Officer London, England
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About the job
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Location
About the job
Job summary
This recruitment is continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be located in the new Department for Business and Trade. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.
Do you want to work in one of the most interesting, varied and fast-paced departments in Whitehall, advising Ministers and writing tomorrow’s news headlines?
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is looking for a Press Officer to join its mission to bring together business experts and world-class trade negotiators to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business – driving growth, increasing jobs, and raising wages.
The role is challenging and wide-ranging, from crafting punchy press products, to supporting ministerial visits and interviews, or briefing journalists on breaking news stories as they happen.
You will be part of a busy and enthusiastic press office team who work closely with Special Advisers, Private Office and policy officials on reactive and proactive media.
As a member of DBT’s Press Office team, you will play an active role in building support for our business and trade strategy, and protecting the department’s reputation.
You will also be encouraged to spot opportunities for positive features, and human interest stories from across the UK to land positive stories in consumer media and regional titles, including in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland media.
This is a chance to join a department breaking new ground as it tackles issues and takes opportunities all around the world.
Job description
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Be part of a team who plan and deliver communications that cut through both at home and abroad on Ministerial events such as domestic and overseas visits, speaking engagements and interview opportunities.
- Handle reactive enquiries and rebuttals effectively, including briefing senior political and economic journalists on the phone to shape tomorrow’s news.
- Craft first-class content for social media platforms for the Department’s ministers and corporate channels.
- Support on high-profile announcements and general work of Press Office – including participating in an out-of-hours duty rota, for which you will be paid overtime.
- Monitor and evaluate coverage to ensure objectives are being met and DBT's key messages are landing well with our key audiences.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Proven news sense, excellent judgement, political nous and outstanding internal and external communication skills.
- Superb written English and experience of delivering high-class media products to short deadlines on modern media platforms from newspapers to Twitter.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced media team, with highly effective proactive and reactive media handling skills.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of delivering high-profile media moments in the UK or international markets.
- Experience of running social media channels for individuals or organisations.
Personal Attributes & Skills
- You will be creative and confident in sharing your ideas and creating engaging content for social media.
- You will be a team player who is keen to work with others to communicate the UK’s business trade agenda home and abroad.
Hybrid working
The role will be based in either Darlington or London. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.
Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Most DBT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.
Appointments will be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences.
Support in applying for our vacancies is available by joining a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Communication Framework Competency – Ideas
- Communication Framework 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 average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This recruitment is continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following a Government announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be located in the new Department for Business and Trade.
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.
Sift will take place week commencing 20/03/2023.
Interviews will take place week commencing 03/04/2023.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and a Personal Statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please align your CV with previous skills and experience. Maximum of 2 A4 pages.
The Personal Statement should concisely explain your motivation for applying to this role, and evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed on the Job Specification. Maximum word count of 1000.
Should a large number of applications be received an initial short sift will be conducted based on CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
There will be a practical assessment as part of the interview process which will focus on the listed Communication Framework Competencies, namely Ideas and Implementation.
For this role, the Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. Please note we are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
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 [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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.
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.
Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
The Department for Business and Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation.
Please note – harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
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. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
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
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Vetting Requirements
SC
All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.
Checks will be made against:
- Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
- Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Security Services records
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).
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