About the job

Job summary

The Team - Government Communications Service International

Government Communications Service International (GCSI) offers technical advice and consultancy to
support and build the communications capability of over 50 allied government and multilateral partners abroad, using our expertise in strategic communications, insight, digital, media, campaigning, research and programme management.

Led by the Cabinet Office in partnership with other government departments and the FCDO Embassy network, GCSI delivers short to long-term strategic communications projects in support UK Government overseas objectives. 

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role on international projects to build and support the communications capability of the UK Government’s partner and allied governments. GCSI’s work is varied and fast-paced: you might find yourself working to plan, implement and evaluate a campaign on the environment and climate change; advising on crisis communications; or, supporting a partner to up-skill their communications team in how to tackle misinformation.

We are looking for communications leaders with significant expertise in strategic communications, media, marketing, digital or a mix of these disciplines, and are familiar with / interested in the work of Government and/or international development. We value leaders who don’t just want to deliver excellent outcomes with our partners, but who are driven by building respectful, collaborative, diverse teams. International experience is certainly an advantage, but not an absolute requirement.

You will be expected to spend up to 75% of your time overseas in the country where your project activity is based and in return can expect a generous range of benefits, including a pension of 27% and a 5% allowance for international travel, as well as outstanding learning and development opportunities. The majority of the GCSI team is based in the London office and any staff based outside of London will be supported with travel and accommodation to attend key team events in the London office. 

The geographic focus of the roles will be discussed at interview, although this might change over time depending on emerging priorities and project funding.

Responsibilities and duties:

• Build the capability of partner governments across all areas of government communications e.g. insight, crisis, campaigns, internal communications, digital etc. sharing best practice and expertise from the UK Government.
• Build effective relationships with senior stakeholders from partner governments to ensure successful project delivery and to enhance the reputation of the UK Government overseas.
• Work through local and international partners to ensure great delivery of projects. This could include developing workshops, supporting partners to draft strategies or agree media frameworks, planning and delivering campaigns, and providing expert consultancy advice.
• Provide expert advice and professional briefings to senior stakeholders internally and externally.
• Support the improvement of the team by driving forward professional development and other strategic priorities.
• Successfully lead and manage up to four line reports to deliver projects in the country / region where you are working.
• Ensure financial accountability on your projects and through your teams; manage project budget, including procuring and managing external suppliers.
• Support the UK’s leadership priorities in creating and delivering international strategic communications, media engagement, insight development, digital communications or marketing campaigns, depending on your area of expertise.
• Overseas travel is a typical part of project delivery for the team, in order to engage in-person with international partners. Travel schedules, duration and frequency vary, dependent on the content of the project and the country / region, but members of the team might be expected to travel up to 75% of their time. The Cabinet Office provides all logistical travel arrangements and expenses, and duty of care for staff travelling on official duty.

Leadership:

• Take responsibility for the team delivering agreed work, in sometimes high-pressure or ambiguous environments, supporting HMG priorities and Cabinet Office values.
• Integrate kindness and inclusiveness into your team, value the diversity of the contribution that each individual can bring. Be open to challenge and support your team to work together through challenges.
• Manage teams operating abroad, sometimes in complex environments, ensuring that colleagues feel comfortable, secure and safe.
• Embrace the opportunity to shape the work of the team and the wider Government Communication Service and in particular, use the knowledge gained from a cross-Whitehall perspective to share best practice approaches.

Person specification

Experience / Ability

• Proven ability to project manage communications projects and deliver to tight deadlines
• Experience of managing a team and delivering through others, including ensuring the wellbeing and ability to deliver of teams operating in high pressure environments (such as travelling in multiple countries and/or delivering high volumes of work)
• Strong leadership, with the ability to inspire a team, encourage creativity and accept challenge
• Excellent stakeholder management skills; this role requires a highly motivated individual with the ability to manage complex stakeholder networks, drive collaboration and listen to stakeholders, helping them identify priority areas of focus and driving change
• Initiative and an enthusiasm for hard work - this is a demanding role so a track record of managing multiple complex communications tasks to tight deadlines is essential

Technical

• Strong delivery background gained in a core communications discipline including insight, marketing, crisis communications, strategic communications, digital communications or press office, where possible demonstrated with overseas and/or development experience.
• Considerable experience of developing and delivering complex communications strategies using established methodologies.
• Financial skills - managing budgets, agencies and contracts, and ensuring financial accountability of all team members.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,400, Cabinet Office contributes £14,418 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 and Experience.

Stage 1: Application

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Your application will consist of three parts:

1. Personal Details application form.
2. Your CV and employment history, detailing your responsibilities, skills, and accomplishments, plus your qualifications and relevant training. Please copy this information into the box field provided.
3. Personal Statement (up to 750 words) demonstrating your experience and expertise relevant to the job description and criteria. 

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Stage 2: Interview

If you’re successful at the sift stage you will be invited to an interview hosted virtually via video call. At the interview you will be assessed on your experience, the essential criteria for the role, and the following Civil Service behaviours:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating & Influencing

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – 15 January 2024
Expected interview date/s – 22-26 January 2024
Interview location - Remote

Candidates who are interested in applying for this role are invited to join an open Q&A hosted on Google Hangouts on Monday 18 December at 0900-1000. Please register for this call using the form here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EBw6Ko5qcgPmLPFop0M-IZR65VEEoAw0nQseoZNvsv8/edit#settings

Further information

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access 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

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

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

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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

Reasonable adjustments

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 Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as 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.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

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 security 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. 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.