Communications Officer

Government Recruitment Service; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK Government Department in Manchester is seeking a Communications Officer for secure borders. The role involves developing communication strategies to support government priorities, responding to media inquiries, and working closely with various stakeholders. Successful candidates will have experience in public relations and digital communications. This is a full-time position with potential national travel.

Benefits

Formal training and development opportunities

In-depth training and overtime pay

Qualifications

• Experience in communications and public relations.
• Ability to work on digital communications and strategic campaigns.
• Experience advising policy and operational teams.

Responsibilities

• Devise and deliver integrated communication plans.
• Respond to media enquiries accurately.
• Produce proactive communications plans for policy announcements.
• Deliver impactful communications supported by analysis.

Skills

Communication planning

Media relations

Digital communications

Strategic campaign management

Job description

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Communications Directorate is a multi-disciplinary team delivering the Home Office’s communications strategy. We are insight-led and results-driven, and our marketing campaigns support strategic objectives using a wide range of channels. We seek to provide high quality media, rebuttal and social media services. Our Internal Communications team supports employee engagement and business transformation.

We believe a positive, open and supportive culture is crucial to help everyone deliver their best work. As a member of the Communications Directorate, you’ll be supporting our mission to deliver outstanding public services that work for everyone.

Our work as Home Office communicators is never far from the front pages, making this a fast-paced and hugely exciting and creative team to join.

As a Communications Officer for secure borders, you’ll be supporting the UK Government’s ambitions to reduce net migration, protect our borders, transform our asylum and returns operations, and tackle organised crime. This includes addressing challenges such as small boat crossings, illegal working, and visa abuse.

You will be expected to work closely with colleagues including policy officials, operational teams, external stakeholders, ministers and 10 Downing Street, advising on the role communication can play in delivering on government priorities. Successful candidates may also be expected to work on other specialisms, so experience of work on digital communications and strategic campaigns would also be valuable.

You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team with colleagues based across the UK working in one of the most complex, demanding departments in government. Home Office communications sit within the wider professional body for government communicators, the Government Communication Service.

Key responsibilities

• Work closely with colleagues, including policy officials and operational teams, to advise on the role communications can play.
• Devise and deliver clear integrated communication plans.
• Respond to media enquiries and ensure the Department’s position is accurately reported.
• Produce proactive communications plans to announce policies or successes by providing media advice, drafting press releases and facilitating ministerial interviews.
• Deliver impactful communications supported by insight and evaluation, including direct, paid-for, low and no-cost marketing, partnerships, media and digital communications.

Training

The Home Office is committed to supporting learning and development through formal training and on the job opportunities.

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of these roles, they are only available on a full-time basis.

You will also be required to join the out of hours duty rota and contribute approximately one-to-two shifts a month. In-depth training and overtime pay is provided.

Travel

Occasional national UK travel may be required for example for a Ministerial visit, when an overnight stay may be required.