Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location London About the job Job summary The role: The successful candidate will help to communicate the work of a public inquiry into what has been referred to as the biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history. As part of a small but dynamic team you will use a range of communications channels to ensure the public, media and other stakeholders see and understand the Inquirys work regarding this high-profile story one which regularly leads news bulletins and has been the subject of an ITV drama, multiple documentary episodes, front page splashes and widely listened to podcasts. CONTEXT: In 1999, Post Office Limited introduced Horizon software and hardware into their post office branches. Over the lifecycle of Horizon, sub-postmasters and subpostmistresses experienced discrepancies and shortfalls in their branch transaction data and accounting. Disputes between Post Office Limited and postmasters have occurred over the last two decades, and the lack of satisfactory resolution of the Horizon issues, the suspension and termination of postmasters contracts with Post Office Limited and the prosecution and conviction of postmasters led ultimately to the launch of successful group litigation by postmasters against Post Office Limited. On 26 February 2020, the Prime Minister committed to an Independent Inquiry, and in September 2020 the Chairman, Sir Wyn Williams, was announced. It was converted to a statutory inquiry from 1 June 2021, following a request from Sir Wyn Williams. The Inquiry is tasked with ensuring there is a public summary of the failings that occurred, as set out in its Terms of Reference. In November 2024, the Inquiry finished hearing oral evidence and there were 2 days of Closing Statements from legal representatives in December 2024. The Communication Teams work will now focus on preparing for the publication of Sir Wyn Williams final report and recommendations, support for the Inquirys general engagement activity and delivery of the Inquirys Legacy Project. More information about the Legacy Project is available here: https://www.postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk/news/shaping-legacy-project-read-out-october-engagement-session. The Inquiry will also continue its listening project, In Your Own Words, to hear from more people impacted by the Post Office Horizon scandal. This is for anyone affected (directly or indirectly) by the scandal to share their stories and how their experiences have impacted them. More information about In Your Own Words is available here: https://www.postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk/InYourOwnWords The Sponsoring Department: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the sponsor department for the Inquiry. However, the Inquiry operates independently from DBT. Job description Responsibilities: As a senior member of the Communications Team, your responsibilities will include: Expertly handling day-to-day media enquiries in a small but busy press office Drafting and editing informative, engaging press releases, briefing materials and other communications products to tight deadlines Design and deliver high quality communications campaigns that reflect the Inquirys priorities; evaluate these to measure success Assisting with and managing media operations and logistics on events for a high-profile public inquiry and around key events such as the Inquirys final report launch. This may include anything from briefing spokespeople for interviews to liaising with technical teams and broadcasters to ensure broadcast feeds are available for news outlets. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with senior internal stakeholders, across the Inquiry Team, providing expert communications advice Develop and maintain strong working relationships with external stakeholders such as journalists, other public inquiries, the Inquirys website developers Overseeing and contributing to high quality media monitoring, capturing insight, sharing relevant information, and identifying communications opportunities. Overseeing management of the Inquirys website and social media channels, to ensure these are regularly updated with accessible, timely content. Deputising for the Inquirys Head of Communications Assisting other teams within the Inquirys secretariat as required The Inquirys activities may sometimes change at short notice in order to deal with an important issue so the ability to adapt and thrive in a changing environment is key Participation in an out of hours press office rota Manage and develop an HEO. Person specification Essential Significant knowledge and experience of working within the press and communications field in teams of different sizes. Experience building and managing relationships with key stakeholders, particularly journalists. Ability to quickly understand and distil complex legal or policy information into media and public-friendly language. Excellent political judgement and sharp news sense; ability to spot communications opportunities and handle sensitive issues thoughtfully Experience of designing and delivering communications plans involving multiple external stakeholders. Strong internal and external collaboration skills and experience of working with external stakeholders and senior leaders. Desirable Experience of media operations at large-scale high profile events An interest in the work of the Inquiry Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Communicating and Influencing Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Communications - Insight Communications - Ideas Communications - Implementation Benefits Alongside your salary of £44,942, Department for Business and Trade contributes £13,019 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% We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities. Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits. 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. Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception. Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way. To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application: A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages. A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria. The following behaviours will be assessed at the initial sift: Communicating and Influencing The following behaviours and technical skills will be assessed at interview: Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Communications - Insight Communications - Ideas Communications - Implementation The technical skill of Implementation will be assessed via a scenario. The scenario will be provided to candidates successful at the initial sift ahead of interviews and the candidate will be asked questions on the scenario during the interview. More information on the Government Communications Service competency framework is available here: https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/publications/competency-framework/ It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date, though this is subject to change. In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return. Reasonable Adjustments We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment: Complete the Assistance required section on the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Candidate Support You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview. Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department. Further Information: A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences. Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases. 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. Any applicant who has 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. Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you. This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss. Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade. 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 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.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 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. 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). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. 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 : Abigail Arnold Email : abigail.arnoldpostofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk Recruitment team Email : dbtrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcingbusinessandtrade.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints. Attachments DBT candidate pack July 2024.pptx Opens in new window (pdf, 1737kB) DBT T&Cs 19092023 Opens in new window (doc, 46kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail