About the job

Job summary

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates  

At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels. Equality and Diversity - Department for Education

We are seeking an imaginative, intellectually curious and politically savvy person to join our media team and help us tell the public and media about our work to transform schools, colleges, universities and children’s services in an exciting, innovative way.

The Department for Education has an exciting, diverse brief that is full of key priorities for Number 10, and you will help to bring these stories and policies to life through the media. We are looking for three media officers to join the team, with the potential for further roles in the future.

You'll need to be able to combine creativity with the organisational skills to manage numerous different projects to tight deadlines, working with a number of policy officials, as well as enjoy pitching to journalists, bloggers and commentators.

You will work closely with the department’s ministers, special advisers, policy officials, communications professionals at Number 10 and with communications teams across Whitehall. You will be part of a motivated team with a track record of helping people progress to the next level.

If this sounds like the role for you and you feel you are the candidate for us, then please apply detailing examples and your experience.

If applicants are not appointable at this grade they may be considered for positions at the grade below. 

Job description

Working across the Department’s diverse portfolio, the media officer would:

• Create, research, develop and draft media handling for a range of channels to promote key announcements and policies from the Department;
• Establish and maintain key relationships with journalists, keeping them across future announcements from the Department and regularly pitching ideas to them to ensure coverage;
• Develop a good understanding of the business priorities for each Ministerial portfolio and identify and flag risks and issues identified;
• Monitor and evaluate media to improve future media handling;
• Use media and audience insight to inform your approach and adapt messaging and narratives based on the audience;
• Provide advice – and constructive challenge where required – to policy teams, the Permanent Secretary, ministers, and special advisers on the communication implications of new, developing and existing policy;
• Create and implement communication strategies and integrated media campaigns that keep us on the front foot;
• Demonstrate excellent written communication skills and set standards to ensure appropriate content, messaging, tone and consistency in media communication;
• Represent the DfE in cross-government meetings, and work with external stakeholders to gain insight, to influence where necessary, to suggest joint initiatives where appropriate and to contribute to the existing or proposed initiatives of others; and
• Participate in the out-of-hours duty rota providing an on-call service to members of the media.
  

In return for all of this, we will ensure that you are fully supported and have the opportunity to develop your career as a skilled communications professional.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• A creative thinker with strong written communication skills across a variety of platforms, from blogs to press releases, as well as strong verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in a press office, journalism, PR agency or communications equivalent.
• A proven track record in building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, journalists and senior colleagues.
• Initiate and lead the development of both reactive and proactive, integrated media campaigns that build on insight and tracking data.
• Comfortable handling high-profile and sensitive media issues. Adhere to confidentiality and provide clear, trusted briefings to media and other partners.
• Knowledge of the media landscape, particularly popular and emerging online and digital trends. Review communication and media plans to ensure activities reflect policy developments and the emerging news agenda.
• Able to understand the key issues currently facing the Department and how they fit as part of the Government’s priorities.
• Analyse media monitoring results to assess the effectiveness of media strategies and inform future proactive and reactive media campaigns.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and deliver multiple tasks to short deadlines. This is a busy office and the role will require you to handle several tasks at once so adaptability and organisation is essential.

We are looking for candidates who are equally comfortable using the full range of social and digital channels – X, Facebook and LinkedIn - to communicate the DfE’s key messages. This could include basic filming and editing although this can be developed within the role.

Benefits

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. 

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

At the application stage, we will assess Experience.

Candidates will be sifted through their CV and a personal statement. Your personal statement (maximum 1000 words) should display how your Experience meets the essential criteria of the role, listed in the person specification section. Please adhere to the wordcount, as anything over 1000 words will not be considered. If we receive a high number of applications, candidates will be assessed on personal statement only. 

Interview

At interview you will be assessed on Experience, Behaviours, Strengths and Technical skills. There will also be a written task at the interview stage.

Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace

Communications Technical Skills:

• Ideas: Press and Media
• Impact: Press and Media
• Implementation: Press and Media
• Insight: Press and Media

Strengths:

We don’t advertise which Strengths we are going to assess you on as we want to be able to assess your first, natural response to the questions.

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.  

DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

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. 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.