About the job

Job summary

House of Commons

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Administration is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Introduction 

The Communications Office is responsible for all communications delivered by, or to, the whole House of Commons and delivers significant bicameral communications across both Houses.

The team provide communications support (including a 24/7 press office, internal communications, digital, photography, branding and design) to all House Administration teams, as well as the Clerk of the House, the Commons Executive Board, the Commission, and domestic committees.

Job description

The Communications Office is looking for a Communications Coordinator to support our work across all functions, with a particular focus on internal communications. This is a key position in the office to ensure the smooth running of the team, delivery of our communications to the organisation, and to enable us to provide excellent customer service to a wide variety of stakeholders including MPs, their staff, and parliamentary staff.

You will be a proactive, motivated team-player, who is comfortable working with colleagues at all levels, has good attention to detail, excellent communication and organisational skills, and delivers work to a high standard at all times.

This position will provide an excellent next career step for someone who wants to build their career in communications. Candidates may have already completed a communications role, course, or internship, or have first class administration and team support experience. Some experience of communications work would be a benefit but is not essential.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Supervising Communications Office shared inboxes, replying to emails, and assigning requests to members of the team.
• Supporting senior leaders with diary management and meeting coordination.
• Drafting content for publication, proof-reading and quality checking.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Experience of supporting teams or individuals with administrative tasks requiring a strong attention to detail, ideally within a communications context (other sectors will be considered).
• Experience of delivering excellent customer service (to colleagues, clients or others) and taking the initiative to resolve issues as they arise.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues or others to ensure shared goals are achieved across ongoing work and/or project delivery.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and orally, considering the needs of diverse audiences.
• (Desirable): Experience in a communications role, or demonstrable desire to work in this area.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,150, House of Commons contributes £7,870 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

• CV & Supporting Statement – If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and covering letter with a 500 word limit, which should outline your experience relating to the criteria for this role. 

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description. 

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Contact Details

For more information about the role, or for an informal chat, contact the hiring manager Mark Jenner at jennerm@parliament.uk.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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)

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.