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Head of News

Employer
Ministry of Justice
Location
London (Greater)
Salary
Grade 7 / Band A
Closing date
27 Jul 2018

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The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales is the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State for Wales and his Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government.  We work in partnership with other Government Departments and other stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom.

We are currently looking for an ambitious, enthusiastic and experienced communications specialist to be Head of News for the UK Government in Wales.  Our aim is to show that the UK Government is relevant in Wales and is helping to improve people's lives. We work with UK Government departments to ensure that the UK Government is communicating consistently and with impact in Wales.

There can hardly have been a more exciting or challenging time to join the Office. Sitting at the heart of Government, the Office is engaged in a range of activity designed to ensure that the Government is delivering for Wales and strengthening the United Kingdom. The Office reaches across all of Whitehall and beyond, working with colleagues and stakeholders on issues as varied as EU Exit, trade and investment, infrastructure projects and City and Growth Deals.

Over the past two years, the department has modernised its communications function and now has a much greater focus on external relations, events and strategic communications partnerships as well as digital communications and media relations.

The Office is looking for a strong and enthusiastic Head of News to support the Director of Communications to shape and drive forward our communications strategy and media operations. You will take an active leadership role in media relations, public affairs, campaigns, digital communications and supporting Ministerial events and visits and the stakeholder engagement team.

There are communications officers based in both London and Cardiff, and the Head of News would have line management responsibility for the team. You will be also be expected to play a leadership role across the whole department, inspiring policy officials and others to prioritise communications and external relations.

Our departmental values are Commitment; Collaboration and Quality. These shape how we operate in a challenging, demanding and fast paced environment which requires flexibility, transparency and professionalism.

The post is based in Whitehall but the successful candidate will be expected to travel to Wales regularly.

This is a key role within the UK Government and we need a person who thrives on challenge, variety and working with senior figures, including politicians, on a daily basis.

For more information about what we do please go to

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/wales-office

Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • Leading delivery of the media and communications strategy for the UK Government in Wales and line management of members of the communications team
  • Building and maintaining a network of contacts in the media and partner organisations, using them to promote the work of the UK Government
  • Proactively seeking opportunities to communicate UK Government policy and delivery to target audiences in Wales, including events, visits and media features
  • Building strong relationships with colleagues in UK Government departments and supporting them to communicate with audiences in Wales
  • Advising ministers and senior officials on communications strategies, training them in presentation skills and briefing them ahead of interviews and public speaking events
  • Drafting and editing articles, web stories, press notices and other communications products as well as using digital communications and social media channels to communicate with target audiences
  • Evaluating communications delivery and adapting strategies based on findings

Skills/experience

We are looking for a communications specialist with a strong track record in delivery and effective media handling skills. You will have a wide knowledge and understanding of how to exploit the full media and communications mix.

Evidence that you have delivered imaginative solutions to media and communications problems and used third parties to help advance narratives is essential.

You will be able to demonstrate that you possess strong news judgement and have a clear understanding of the opportunities and risks of different communications channels and their roles in a communications campaign.

We will also be looking for demonstrable evidence of audience insight and the ability to develop successful external relationships, so that communications are integrated to support policy messages.

Experience of working with politicians and senior policy officials is desirable.

You will need to demonstrate your ability to act as an effective deputy to the Head of Communications. You will be expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of the Welsh political and communications landscape.

The Office is committed to the Welsh language both in Wales and across UK Government, so an understanding and enthusiasm for communicating in Welsh would be a distinct advantage.

Competencies

CIVIL SERVICE WIDE

Seeing the Big Picture

  • Identify implications of Departmental and political priorities and strategy on own area to ensure plans and activities reflect these.

Leading & Communicating

  • Clarify strategies and plans, giving clear sense of direction and purpose for self and team.

INSIGHT

Press and Media

  • Understand and interpret the emerging news agenda and factors which will affect this agenda.

IDEAS

Press and Media

  • Demonstrate a robust knowledge of the media landscape. Draw on this expertise to develop innovative, proactive press strategies. Advise on press actions at a senior level and support teams to develop campaigns.
  • Influence the media agenda through proactive forward planning. Develop strategies to protect and improve corporate and government reputation.

IMPLEMENTATION

Press and Media

  • Display clear, authoritative and sensitive spokespersonship.
  • Actively oversee high-profile, sensitive, high-risk subjects and manage contacts with lead journalists.
  • Lead the press planning and advice in crisis scenarios and manage the press team in developing the crisis response strategy.
  •  

IMPACT

Press & Media

  • Evaluate impact to shape direction of future media campaigns and lead on the implementation of best practice across the communications team.

Further information

The post is being advertised as a two-year fixed term contract or loan with the possibility of extension or permanence. 

The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales is not an employer in its own right, the successful candidate would there be an employee of the Ministry of Justice and subject to their Terms and Conditions of Service.

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