About the job

Job summary

This position is based nationally

Job description

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Location: National, at any HMCTS site

Based on current ways of working, work location is likely to be a combination of working from home and from the office, dependent on business needs.  

About us:  

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family Courts and Tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues within HMCTS, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice. We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and making a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice. If you are interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply. 

The Communications and Engagement Directorate work with the wider organisation to tell HMCTS’s story – who we are, what we are doing and why – in the most engaging and impactful way using the best content and channels available. 

The Internal Communications Team is responsible for internal communications content – getting the right information to our colleagues at the right time. We communicate organisational and cultural change messages, as well as a range of corporate programmes, helping colleagues to understand their purpose, celebrating their successes, and making sure they feel supported. We work with colleagues across the organisation and the wider justice system, creating a continuous drumbeat of internal messages that align to HMCTS’ vision and business priorities. 

About you: 

As a manager in the team, reporting to a Senior Internal Communications Manager, you will help the team to fulfil its purpose, with specific oversight (strategically and operationally) of internal communications.   

You will understand our internal stakeholders and design, deliver and support communications plans – in partnership with subject matter experts - that ensure our messages reach our audiences and support the organisation to meet its corporate objectives. 

You will be a trusted advisor to jurisdictional leads and support them to be visible and engaged with our people and stakeholders. 

Join us and be a part of a team that thrives in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment. Shape your career, make a lasting impact, and be the catalyst for positive change in the world of communications. 

Please refer to the attached role profile for a comprehensive overview of the role. 

Person specification: 

The ideal candidate for this position should demonstrate the following: 

Essential: 

• Experience of internal communications is crucial for this role, particularly in developing plans and operational implementation.
• Proficient in copywriting with the ability to tailor content to diverse audiences across various platforms, complemented by strong editorial capabilities.
• Possesses strong relationship-building abilities, excelling in negotiation and persuasion.
• Ability to display confidence in delivering presentations, steering meetings and workshops, and maintains credibility in interactions with the Senior Management Team or locally based operational colleagues.
• Strong planning, organisational and interpersonal skills, including delivering communication products within tight deadlines.
• Experience of using data to inform strategic decisions.
• Experience in successfully handling and navigating uncertainty, with a proven ability to balance multiple priorities and adapt to changing deadlines.
• Experience of internal communications best practices, keeping up with guidance coming from professional bodies, such as the Government Communications Service, Institute of Internal Communications, or Chartered Institute of Public Relations. 

Further Information: 

Successful applicants will be expected to be office based 60% per week in any HMCTS Site (subject to business availability). The frequency may increase in the future based on business needs. 

Appointment Term Permanent, 1 Full-Time position. Any requests for flexible working will be considered in line with HMCTS flexible working policy. 

How to apply 

Please submit your most recent CV and a 750-word statement of suitability demonstrating your relevant skill, experience and knowledge to meet the above person specification. 

Candidates successful at sift stage will be invited to a blended interview assessment in line with the Civil Service Success Profile Framework and the Government Communications Service competencies (GCS). 

This will be a two-stage interview process, with interviews taking place virtually for the first stage and then shortlisted candidates will be invited for the second stage interview in person. 

The first-stage interview will be held virtually via Microsoft teams. You will be asked the following behaviour and technical questions: 

Success Profiles Behaviors (Level 3):

• Delivering at pace
• Developing self and others 

GCS Technical Competencies:

• Implementation
• Impact

The second-stage interview will be held in person either in 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ or 5 Wellington Place Leeds LS1 4AP. The interview location will be confirmed shortly after the release of the first-stage interview results.   

You will be asked to complete a 20-minute written exercise around drafting an internal news story and one behaviour question, in relation to the Communicating and Influencing behavior (Level 3).

Travel fares will be the responsibility of candidates and are not reimbursable. 

For more information on the GCS and Success Profile frameworks, follow the below links:

Competency Framework - technical specifications - GCS (civilservice.gov.uk)

Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

If you have further queries regarding the role, please contact Rachael Allchin, rachael.allchin@justice.gov.uk.   

About our benefits:

We reward our people for their hard work and commitment. We have a number of family friendly and flexible working policies that will help you achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition, we offer a range of employee benefits which include generous annual leave, a highly competitive contributory pension scheme (up to 27%!), childcare benefits, season ticket and bicycle loans.

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,827, HM Courts and Tribunals Service contributes £8,896 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

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)

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.