POSTS VACANT: / Head of Communications
LOCATION: / London or Belfast (regular travel between the two locations will be required)
APPLICATIONS INVITED FROM: / Any applicants who meet the essential criteria, experience and competences listed below
GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME: / The Northern Ireland Office operates the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, details of which are attached to the application form for this post.
PLEASE NOTE: / Further appointments may be made from this competition should NIO positions become vacant which have similar duties and responsibilities.
CLOSING DATE: / 1.00pm 12 October 2012
BACKGROUND:
The NIO is seeking to recruit a Head of Communications to be a key and primary adviser to the Secretary of State, the ministerial team and the senior management team within the Northern Ireland Office in relation to the effective management of the reputation of the department, in support of core business objectives.
The successful candidate will lead the Northern Ireland Office Information Service in the delivery of a responsive, effective and efficient media and public relations service.
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing external and internal communications services in respect of all departmental business working with policy officials and the Secretary of State’s Special Adviser (the latter is responsible for all advice and support on Party political issues/events). The Head of Communications reports to the Deputy Head of the Northern Ireland Office
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Media and PR
- Maintain an awareness of the political landscape (within Northern Ireland, and in Westminster) and provide advice and guidance to the ministerial team and departmental colleagues on the implications for public relations and how best to manage them.
- Act as primary adviser to the SoS, Minister, DG and senior team in relation to media and public relations management
- Influence senior management in relation to the most effective utilisation of the media
- Proactively develop relationships with key media stakeholders,
- Liaise with relevant press offices within local and central government
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with the media and maximise opportunities to promote the department
- React decisively and manage responses to escalated media queries in an open, robust and transparent fashion
- Coordinate the management of media response to major incidents providing comprehensive, transparent and robust statements as appropriate
- Work with the senior management team and policy units to develop long term PR / Communication strategies in support of departmental objectives
- Monitor the corporate brand and ensure compliance in all internal and external communications
- Provide input and sign off on central govt and local govt joint media initiatives and strategies
- Approving news releases, written articles and publicity material and advising on PQ answers and responses to FOI requests.
- Managing the content and development of the Departmental website
Business planning
- Regularly attend and contribute to senior management team meetings chair by Secretary of State and by the Director general
- Provide input into organisational strategic plans and policy where there is a media and PR impact
- Develop and implement NIOIS business plans which align with the corporate objectives as set out in the NIO Departmental Business Plan
- Champion the role of the NIOIS in assisting with the achievement of wider organisational objectives
- Effectively manage and control the NIOIS budget ensuring the delivery of a best value media and PR service
Internal Communication
- Contribute to the development and delivery of internal communication strategies ensuring messages are appropriate, accurate and fit for purposeincluding the Intranet and staff magazine.
Staff management
- Develop the capability of staff within NIOIS to deliver a highly responsive and high quality service
- Provide leadership and guidance to the team to ensure ongoing commitment and motivation
- Conduct performance management appraisals and develop personal development plans with direct reports, monitor effective performance delivery and standards of service for specific communication activity
- Promote a culture of transparency and accountability within NIOIS
Other
- Benchmark service with other comparable government departments.
- Negotiate contracts with third party service providers and manage ongoing service delivery to ensure it provides value for money.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Full current driving licence or access to a form of personal transport that will enable the post holder to carry out the requirements of the post in full
Experience gained at a senior management level in Public Relations or Media Management including
- Developing an effective long term media / PR strategy
- Developing and managing a range of internal communication strategies
- Influencing senior management in relation to the management of media on potentially politically sensitive issues
- Providing political commentary and recommending appropriate media and PR responses
- Crisis management including the coordination of resources in relation to breaking news stories
- Managing a multidisciplinary team including setting clear priorities and monitoring performance
- Building relationships and liaising with external bodies and agencies at a senior level
DESIRABLE CRITERIA:
- Full membership of a relevant professional body for example Member Chartered Institute of Public Relations
- Understanding of political and security issues in Northern Ireland
- Experience of strict monitoring and management of budgets
- Experience of liaising with government press departments
- Experience of providing input into corporate policy
COMPETENCIES:
The personal competencies required are consistent with the competency framework for the Band A. For this post the candidate will be expected to demonstrate the following key competencies:
Focussing on the customer
- Build relationships with stakeholders to help deliver and excellent service
- Consider and manage stakeholders’ expectations keeping them up to date with progress
Developing our people
- Understand and communicate the organisation’s priorities
- Set clear standards for performance management and strategies for tackling poor performance
Using evidence to make decisions
- Understand how different sources of evidence can vary in how valid, relevant and limited they are
- Understand and interpret the most commonly used methods for summarising data
- Use evidence to assess policies, projects and programmes
Planning and managing resources
- Take personal responsibility for delivering services against the business plan and accurately forecast our work
- Plan and deliver strong relationships with stakeholders, making sure that the organisation is a respected customer and provider
Working as a team
- Build trust across the team through fairness, commitment, respect, consistency and openness
- Create opportunities to make sure the team reaches its potential and to get the best from everyone
SECURITY CLEARANCE: / Security clearance to SClevel will be required for this post.
ELIGIBILITY SIFT: / An eligibility sift will be carried out on the basis of the information contained in the application form. It is therefore important that all applicants demonstrate in their application how and to what extent their competences are relevant to the above criteria. Those candidates who do not clearly demonstrate that they meet the experience and competences will not be invited to interview.
PAY AND ALLOWANCES: / The successful candidate will adopt the terms and conditions of the NIO for the length of their appointment. Salary ranges start at £42, 034 for Belfast and £50, 534 for London.NICS staff will remain on NICS terms and conditions for the length of their secondment.
Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.
DURATION: / Appointment will be for a fixed term of 2 year
FURTHER INFORMATION / Further information about the post may be obtained from Fiona McCoy on 020 72106460, or from Julian King, Director General, on telephone number 020 7210 6456 or e-mail to
APPLICATIONS: / Application forms can be obtained and also submitted toAmanda Coffey, who can be contacted or by phone on 02890527022. Completed forms to be received by 1pm on 12 October 2012.
Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not short listed for interview.
Applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact Robert Cornish on 0207 210 6517 or by email at
All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.
This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.
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