Strategic Communications Officer

The CMA are recruiting to the position of Strategic Communications Officer, which will help us establish a strong central strategic communications function based on content development, planning, channel expertise, insight, and evaluation.
This role will be part of a new team with a busy and varied brief, ranging from tackling cost of living issues to merger control to regulating the world's biggest digital firms. It will report to the Strategic Communications Lead, with senior oversight from the Head of Strategic Communications.
About the CMA
We help people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. Our work is wide ranging, ambitious and often new and challenging.
We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.
You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack, The post holder will contribute to the running of the strategic communications team and take responsibility for the following roles:
+ Advise on external communications programming in the CMA, including case announcements, speeches, op eds, events, publications, campaigns and compliance.
+ Help operate a system for tracking the milestones and activity needed to develop a forward plan for CMA communications and external engagement activity. This plan will demonstrate how our work aligns with key messages and priorities. This forward plan is a critical tool to help us manage resource and communicate strategically for maximum impact.
+ Pro-actively identify themes or events which pose risks or opportunities from a communications perspective. Work with others to build strategies to manage these.
Please refer to the role profile for further details., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Working Together
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Delivering at Pace, As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.
The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review) and an interview. Arrangements for the interview will be enclosed in the invitation.
Please note that interviews will be held in-person at the Canary Wharf CMA office.
Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the following selection criteria (as included on the role profile and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application.
The role will close 11:55pm Monday 9th September 2024.
The sift will take place 10th to 13th September 2024.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an interview. You will be notified via email to log-in to your Civil Service Account and book your interview slot. You will be sent an email with full details of your arrangements for interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing 23rd September. There is 1 interview stage for this role. Part of your overall assessment will consist of a task which will be completed as either an in-tray assessment or immediately prior to the interview. Details of this will be shared when interview invitations are shared.
The interview will be a 45-60 minute panel interview where you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours, Values and Experience outlined in the role profile.
Reasonable adjustments
We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. You can also email recruitment@cma.gov.uk.
For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.
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:
o UK nationals
o nationals of the Republic of Ireland
o nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
o 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)
o 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)
o individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
o 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)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

+ Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with sensitivity and judgment and the ability to influence outcomes effectively. (Lead Criteria)
+ Experience in planning and delivering communications strategies, and evidence of delivering work at pace, (Lead Criteria)
+ Credibility to influence and engage successfully with stakeholders.
+ Experience of working collaboratively, building effective relationships with colleagues, and delivering in partnership with other teams with related goals or responsibilities.
+ Ability to balance and prioritise multiple competing and changing demands while remaining motivated.

Alongside your salary of £46,000, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £12,420 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
You’ll also get:
+ 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday. In addition, you’ll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering
+ Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests
+ Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard
+ A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work
You can read more about our benefits in our candidate pack.
Our Values
We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence. We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.
Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.
You can read more about life at the CMA in our candidate pack.