About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a Media & Communications Officer (Maternity Cover) to join our Communications Office at House of Lords. This is a position where you will play an active part in the Media Team and wider Communications Office in planning and delivering communication activities that promote the House of Lords to the media and to other external stakeholders.

This includes supporting the work of the Head of Press and Media, responsibility for leading on the planning and delivery of proactive communication strategies for a selection of House of Lords committees, developing stakeholder mapping and engagement opportunities for those committees and other House activity, and acting as a spokesperson for the House, including as part of an out-of-hours media service.

This is an opportunity to work on a hybrid basis where you will be able to work 2 days from home and 3 days onsite at Parliament. You will be expected to work onsite on days the Committee’s you work with meet.

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and effective communicator with experience of working in media relations in a high-profile environment. You will also have a good understanding of Parliament and politics and broad communications skills to develop effective stakeholder engagement plans and integrated communications.

Job description

You’ll be accountable to:

• Contribute to the delivery of the House of Lords communications strategy and achievement of its communication objectives, particularly in the area of media relations and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop integrated communication plans for allocated Lords select committee inquiries and maximise the influence and impact of committee reports and other activities. Ensure media activity supports each committee’s wider communications and policy objectives.
• Draft and place/publish media articles, online content and other written materials on behalf of the House of Lords and its committees.
• Act as a House of Lords media spokesperson for reactive inquiries and respond effectively to breaking news stories to minimise reputational risk to the House.

Person specification

What we’re looking for:

• Excellent Communication and Writing skills.
• Experience working in a Press Office/media facing role.
• Working with Senior Stakeholders.

It would be even better if you had or if you’re willing to learn…

• Knowledge and experience of working within a political environment.

Benefits

Details of our employee benefits can be found at https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/lords/lordshro/employee-benefits/

What you’ll get in return:

• 30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 after one years’ service).
• Generous pension scheme.
• Discounts from well-known brands and retailers.
• Parliamentary health and wellbeing programme.
• The opportunity to witness history in the making!

Things you need to know

Selection process details

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact HLRecruitment@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.