Communications Officer

+ provide strategic communications handling advice to colleagues both nationally and regionally
+ draft clear, high-quality content for a wide range of channels and audiences
+ ensure content is underpinned by sound use of UKHSA’s data and intelligence wherever appropriate
+ identify opportunities for developing quality proactive communications output
+ manage and support communications around UKHSA’s high-profile marketing campaigns
+ manage proactive and reactive media communications
+ act as a point of contact for incoming enquiries from journalists
+ proactively sell in stories to the media – press and broadcast
+ monitor the range of media channels
+ build and maintain good relations with key journalists
+ co-ordinate any broadcast bids and provide support to UKHSA spokespeople undertaking interviews
+ undertake evaluation of media projects in line with Government Communication Service standards
+ participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota that covers media issues
+ build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including other government departments and agencies, local government, health partners and charities
+ work in accordance with Government Communications Service principles with regard to communications planning and evaluation
+ act as an ambassador for the communications directorate in all engagement with all parties
+ brief and advise senior officials within UKHSA – both verbally and in writing
+ manage a diverse range of different requests for press office support from within UKHSA
For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description., You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 9 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
+ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
+ 1000 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.
Shortlisting:
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Behaviours and technical strengths will be tested at interview.
There will be a short assessment at interview stage (full details will be provided at interview stage).
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Changing and Improving
+ Working Together
+ Delivering at Pace
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQ’s (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard check.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

We are looking for an organised, creative individual who is a self-starter with first-rate written and verbal communication skills to join the Media team.
You will be adept at drafting high quality content, which will make an impact across a range of communications channels for diverse audiences. In addition, the post holder will be competent in dealing with complex scientific issues and statistical data and have the ability to explain this information clearly to non-scientific audiences.
The post holder will also have a strong news sense – identifying and developing proactive communications, particularly digital. Strong influencing and negotiating skills are essential, enabling the post holder to deal effectively and persuasively with stakeholders, as well as the media.
This role requires you to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines, you should have a flexible approach to work and a good team player., + Degree in relevant subject (media and communications, public relations and marketing) or equivalent experience
+ experience of working in a multi-disciplinary communications role, particularly across digital, developing quality content for a range of channels and audiences
+ experience of working across sensitive and challenging situations/issues, showing diplomacy, tact and a proven track record of using negotiating and influencing skills to achieve outcomes
+ experience of using initiative and creativity to find innovative solutions to communications challenges
+ experience of building good relationships with stakeholders a range of organisations including local authorities, government departments, voluntary organisations, charities and health providers
+ experience of working in a busy communications office, demonstrating a sound knowledge of how media works and developing good relationships with journalists.
+ excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex and challenging information clearly and concisely for a diverse range of channels and audiences
+ ability to manage and motivate communications colleagues to maximize their ability, while also being receptive to feedback for own personal development. ensuring their personal development
+ ability to handle crisis communications
Desirable:
+ good understanding of the health and social care environment and the roles and responsibilities within it
+ good knowledge of the workings of government including local government, current government priorities and agenda
+ experience of working with scientists and/or scientific material

Alongside your salary of £31,997, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,269 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ 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%