Bristol Job Summary As a member of the regional communications network, the post holder will be an effective communicator who will contribute towards the overall aim of promoting UKHSA’s key messages and outputs, as well as supporting the various strands of the UKHSA-wide communications strategy and enhancing the organisation’s reputation, all through the lens of the region in which they are embedded. The post holder will possess excellent media handling and writing skills and have experience of liaising with journalists and drafting versatile, quality content for a wide range of channels and platforms including social media, the web and print media. The post-holder will be adept at working with key external stakeholders and senior colleagues internally to collaborate on proactive projects, emerging issues, and work together on mutually beneficial outcomes for our communications aims and objectives. Working for your organisation We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all. Job Description Some of the Key Responsibilities To Handle Proactive And Reactive Media Communications, Including: To act as a point of contact for incoming enquiries from local and regional journalists and to develop timely responses in line with UKHSA’s corporate view; Proactively sell-in stories to regional media – press and broadcast; Monitor the range of media channels, including press and digital, and respond to any inaccurate or misleading content particularly where there is a reputational risk; Build and maintain good relations with key regional journalists; Co-ordinate any broadcast bids and provide support to UKHSA spokespeople undertaking interviews, including accompanying them to interviews. Support provision a full communications service to regional health protection colleagues. Draft clear, high-quality content for a wide range of channels and audiences. Ensure content is underpinned by sound use of UKHSA’s data and intelligence wherever appropriate. Contribute to developing quality proactive communications as well as horizon scanning for any potential reputational risks. Support and deliver communications around UKHSA’s marketing campaigns. Where requested by the regional communications manager, to represent UKHSA communications at various regional and local meetings We are looking for an organised, creative individual who is a self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills, who can play a key role in proactive projects and the communications response to reactive incidents. You will need to be able to deal with a wide range of people at all levels, have a flexible approach to your work and be an effective team player. This is a fast-paced role within a small regional communications team which requires balancing a number of competing priorities so the ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and to tight deadlines is essential. You will be adept at drafting high quality content, which will make an impact across a range of communications channels for diverse audiences. In addition, you will be competent in dealing with complex scientific issues and statistical data and have the ability to explain this information clearly to non-scientific audiences. Public health in the news is important in this role, so you will also have a good news sense – for emerging issues and risks as well as for developing proactive communications, including for digital channels. Strong influencing and negotiating skills are essential, enabling you to deal effectively and persuasively with stakeholders, as well as the media. For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description. To Handle Proactive And Reactive Media Communications, Including: To act as a point of contact for incoming enquiries from local and regional journalists and to develop timely responses in line with UKHSA’s corporate view; Proactively sell-in stories to regional media – press and broadcast; Monitor the range of media channels, including press and digital, and respond to any inaccurate or misleading content particularly where there is a reputational risk; Build and maintain good relations with key regional journalists; Co-ordinate any broadcast bids and provide support to UKHSA spokespeople undertaking interviews, including accompanying them to interviews. Support provision a full communications service to regional health protection colleagues. Draft clear, high-quality content for a wide range of channels and audiences. Ensure content is underpinned by sound use of UKHSA’s data and intelligence wherever appropriate. Contribute to developing quality proactive communications as well as horizon scanning for any potential reputational risks. Support and deliver communications around UKHSA’s marketing campaigns. Where requested by the regional communications manager, to represent UKHSA communications at various regional and local meetings We are looking for an organised, creative individual who is a self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills, who can play a key role in proactive projects and the communications response to reactive incidents. You will need to be able to deal with a wide range of people at all levels, have a flexible approach to your work and be an effective team player. This is a fast-paced role within a small regional communications team which requires balancing a number of competing priorities so the ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and to tight deadlines is essential. You will be adept at drafting high quality content, which will make an impact across a range of communications channels for diverse audiences. In addition, you will be competent in dealing with complex scientific issues and statistical data and have the ability to explain this information clearly to non-scientific audiences. Public health in the news is important in this role, so you will also have a good news sense – for emerging issues and risks as well as for developing proactive communications, including for digital channels. Strong influencing and negotiating skills are essential, enabling you to deal effectively and persuasively with stakeholders, as well as the media. For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description. Person specification Essential criteria - You will be assessed on the below 9 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document. Please note Experience as defined by type/level (not length) Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area. Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary communications role, particularly across digital, developing quality content for a range of channels and audiences. Experience of working in a busy communications office, demonstrating a sound knowledge of how media works and developing good relationships with journalists. Experience of working across sensitive and challenging situations/issues, showing diplomacy, tact and a proven track record of using negotiating and influencing skills to achieve outcomes. Experience of using initiative and creativity to find innovative solutions to communications challenges. Experience of building good relationships with stakeholders a range of organisations including local authorities, government departments, voluntary organisations, charities and health providers. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex and challenging information clearly and concisely for a diverse range of channels and audiences Ability to handle crisis communications Demonstrating a commitment to equality and diversity in day-to-day working practices, as well as output Careers website Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Alongside your salary of £31,997, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,269 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience Stage 1: Application & Sift Success Profiles You Will Be Required To Complete An Application Form. You Will Be Assessed On The Listed Nine Essential Criteria, And This Will Be In The Form Of A: Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 1000-word Statement of Suitability. This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together. Longlisting : In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria Please note Pile 1 will be taken though to Shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary communications role, particularly across digital, developing quality content for a range of channels and audiences. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex and challenging information clearly and concisely for a diverse range of channels and audiences Experience of working across sensitive and challenging situations/issues, showing diplomacy, tact and a proven track record of using negotiating and influencing skills to achieve outcomes. Experience of building good relationships with stakeholders a range of organisations including local authorities, government departments, voluntary organisations, charities and health providers. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview Success Profiles You will be invited to a (single) remote interview. Behaviours and experience, will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be : Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Working Together Delivering at Pace Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Reasonable Adjustments The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/ Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV. Location This role is based at UKHSA, 2 Rivergate, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6EH. This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Bristol Office. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month). Eligibility Criteria External Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard International Police check If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own. Internal Fraud check If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service. 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. 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 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. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact : Name : Chris Williams Email : chris.williams2ukhsa.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : chris.williams2ukhsa.gov.uk Further information The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaintsukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk