• Salary: £34,350 – £41,035 per annum
• Contract: Permanent, full-time
• Location: Westminster, Salford, Sheffield
• Application deadline: Thursday 3rd October 2024 (11.55pm)

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Communications Directorate is a multi-disciplinary team delivering the Home Office’s communications strategy. We are insight-led and results-driven, and our marketing campaigns support strategic objectives using a wide range of channels. We seek to provide high quality media, rebuttal and social media services. Our Internal Communications team supports employee engagement and business transformation.

As a member of the Communications Directorate, you will be supporting our mission to deliver outstanding public services that work for everyone. 

As a Communications Officer in the Home Office, you will work closely with colleagues including policy officials, operational teams, external stakeholders, Ministers and Downing Street to advise on the role communications can play in delivering on government priorities and raising awareness among the general public. 

Job description

The Home Office Communication Directorate delivers essential communications to people from all walks of life, every single day. Our work is never far from the front pages, making this a fast-paced and hugely exciting team to be a part of. The successful candidates will work across a broad range of policy and operational areas in the Home Office, with roles available spanning media and strategic campaigns. 

There are a number of opportunities available:

For roles on our Newsdesk, you will be part of the department’s frontline, responding to calls from journalists and shaping news as it develops. You will be responsible for monitoring news and social media and protecting the Department’s reputation. You will provide Ministers and their Advisers with updates on news as it breaks; identify and rebut inaccurate reporting or criticism; and ensure the Department’s position is clearly reflected.  

For roles on our proactive teams, you will develop integrated communications plans to promote the vital work being delivered across the Home Office.

Media roles will include producing plans to announce new policies or successes; providing media advice; drafting press releases on high profile issues; and facilitating interviews for Ministers.   

Campaigns roles will see you deliver impactful communications led by insight and evaluation, including direct, paid-for, low- and no-cost marketing, partnerships, media and digital communications. 

Essential criteria

Experience working in a fast-paced communications role or similar, juggling competing priorities, exercising good judgement, and keeping calm under pressure.

• An ability to communicate effectively, and develop trusted and productive relationships with colleagues, external partners and stakeholders. 
• Proven ability to distil large amounts of complex information into clear key messages suitable for specific audiences. 
• Understanding of how audience insight and evaluation can be used to inform communications strategies and activity. 
• Excellent written and speaking skills, with an ability to establish credibility and negotiate effectively. 
• Strong news sense and understanding of current affairs, including how to identify and mitigate reputational risks. 

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

See more of our benefits on our careers website.

• An annual Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) of £2,300.
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.

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How to apply

To learn about the role in full and apply, please click here. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• CV detailing job history/skills
• Personal Statement (maximum 750 words)
• Evidence of the Behaviour Seeing the Big Picture (maximum of 250 words)

Your CV should consist of your career history and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored and used to provide further context on your personal statement, and support conversations at interview.

The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description. For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

• Deadline for applications: 3rd October 2024 (11.55pm)
• Interview date: w/c 28th October

When submitting your application, please specify that you heard about the role through the Taylor Bennett Foundation.