Communications Manager

The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland. The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions. We are an Arm's Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities. See JO staff talk about working here: https://design102.wistia.com/medias/uhgtmbtnlv Background Magistrates are a vital part of the justice system and central to reducing the criminal court backlog. Following the Independent Review of Criminal Courts, strengthening the resilience and capacity of magistrates' courts is a critical priority for the Judiciary, Ministers, and the MoJ Board. Most criminal cases start-and around 95% conclude-in magistrates' courts, making a sufficient, skilled and diverse magistracy essential. The Magistrates Uplift programme will ensure we have the magistrates we need and brings together the Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, HMCTS, magistrates themselves and key partners such as the Magistrates Association. This high-profile programme aims to increase magistrate numbers by 50% to reach 21,000 by 2028/29. It is closely overseen by Ministers and the judiciary. The Job Reporting directly to the Head of Judicial Communications and supported by a Communications Officer, you will work across the communications team to lead on high-profile internal and external communications focused on the recruitment and retention of magistrates and the implementation of other changes predominantly arising from Sir Brian Leveson's review of criminal courts. The Judicial Communications team are responsible for providing information via a range of communication channels to all judges and magistrates. They are also responsible for managing judiciary.uk and contributing to a dedicated magistrates recruitment website and associated content aimed at the public. You will be expected to work closely with the judicial press office and ministry of justice. You will also be expected to suggest innovative new campaign and content ideas and lead on their implementation, while ensuring the co-ordination of communications relating to changes happening across all jurisdictions. The successful candidate will:

• Provide expert strategic communications advice and support to senior leaders and judges
• Plan, deliver and evaluate communications strategies and campaigns for the areas in their portfolio, using the full range of internal and external communication channels to build awareness and influence behaviours.
• Manage and provide direction to one Communications Officer (HIO/HEO)
• Identify opportunities for delivering magistrates recruitment and retention communications activity using a range of internal and external channels in a strategic manner
• Lead on the production and coordination of communications regarding changes to the judiciary arising from the Courts and Tribunals Bill and any subsequent legislation
• Produce and edit engaging written and filmed content
• Ensure content on the judicial intranet and website is up to date and tailored to different audiences
• Work closely with the press team, the wider JO, HMCTS and MoJ staff to deliver messages across channels and extend our reach to target audiences
• Evaluate and report on communications activity and outcomes, using insights to enhance how we engage with our targeted audience and apply any findings to shape future strategies
• Work with external suppliers and design agencies to design and deliver content where appropriate
• There may also be potential to participate in the social media out of hours rota, for which an additional allowance is paid., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
You are encouraged to become familiar with the Government Communications Framework (Government Communication Service (GCS) competencies), as you may be assessed against any of the technical criteria recorded within at SEO level, particularly under the 'Campaigns/Marketing and Internal Communications' disciplines. To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application form no later than 30 April. The application will include: 1.A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant to the person specification for this role, including details where applicable of numbers of people managed, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years 1. A statement of suitability (max 1,000 words) explaining why you are interested in this role and provide further evidence of how you meet at least each of the 'Essential' criteria of the person specification and any other relevant points. Interviews/assessments are likely to be held week commencing 18 May. We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include an interview based on the behaviours and communications competencies set out above. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to deliver a 5-minute presentation outlining the approach they would take to a low-cost campaign promoting "the value of volunteering as a magistrate"., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy., A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered. Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of SuitabilityInterview stage assessments Interview Dates Expected week commencing 18 May Behaviours Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace

The Judicial Communications team for judges and magistrates is looking for an experienced communications professional to add to a reliable and innovative communications team based at the Royal Courts of Justice.,
• Have experience in designing and delivering effective communications campaigns to build awareness and influence behaviours, from start to finish
• Possess creativity and keenness to develop and deliver innovative communications, using digital and offline channels
• Have experience of creating and delivering engaging content for digital platforms
• Have strong oral and written communication skills
• Be confident in using audience insight and evaluation to inform communication strategies
• Have strong videography/filming and editing experience
• Have excellent organisational and communications planning skills and a strong attention to detail
• Contribute, as required, to the preparation and delivery of the projects of all other team members.
Desirable
• Experience of working in the field of justice
• Experience of delivering communications to support change, including behaviour change.
• Line management experience
  
  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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities. Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Support
• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
• To Transformative Business Services (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.