Media and Communications Officer

UK Ministry of Defence; Hughenden Valley; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The UK Ministry of Defence seeks a Media and Communications Officer for RAF High Wycombe. This role involves managing the Media and Communication Strategy, advising senior management, and enhancing the station's public presence. Candidates should possess strong communication and planning skills and ideally have prior experience in a media-oriented position.

Benefits

Pension contributions

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience in media and communications.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice to the Station Commander.
• Develop and implement the Engagement and Social Media Strategy.
• Manage the station's online presence and media relations.

Skills

Communication

Planning

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Experience in a media-related role

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

RAF High Wycombe, Naphill, Walters Ash, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE.

Job Summary

On a day-to-day basis the RAF High Wycombe Media and Communications Officer will work in a lively, fast-paced environment, maintaining overall control and direction of the Media and Communication Strategy.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

The successful candidate will undertake a variety of tasks that contribute to the smooth-running of the station, including, but not limited to:

• Briefing and advising the Station Commander on all Media and Communications matters.
• The Primary point of contact for all Station personnel who wish to publicise an event/programme through various digital (eg: social media) and non-digital means (hard copy literature)
• The continuous development and implementation of the Stn Engagement and Social Media Strategy that encompasses 5 objectives (Be a great place to work, be resilient, be a positive force within the Bucks community, foster development and encourage innovation and begin the journey to net zero and sustainable ops).
• Provision of positive media coverage – developed through close links and contact with local press (to include press releases, human interest stories etc).
• Oversight of the station’s online presence (including Facebook & Twitter) and the training given to social media holders through best practice guidelines.
• Acting as Media Liaison when journalists/film crews visit the unit (and notifying Air Media & Comms/DDC as a matter of course to ensure awareness). Organising high-profile visits to Station for individuals/groups who have an interest in the workings of the Station.
• Researching, writing, videoing & publicising human-interest stories (and theme days) across Station (to be promulgated via digital and non-digital means).
• Provision of media plans for major station events.
• Member of the Stn Management Board & Quarterly Management Board and responsible for updating on Media & Comms.
  
  

The Successful Candidate Will Undertake a Variety Of Tasks That Contribute To The Smooth-running Of The Station, Including, But Not Limited To

• Briefing and advising the Station Commander on all Media and Communications matters.
• The Primary point of contact for all Station personnel who wish to publicise an event/programme through various digital (eg: social media) and non-digital means (hard copy literature)
• The continuous development and implementation of the Stn Engagement and Social Media Strategy that encompasses 5 objectives (Be a great place to work, be resilient, be a positive force within the Bucks community, foster development and encourage innovation and begin the journey to net zero and sustainable ops).
• Provision of positive media coverage – developed through close links and contact with local press (to include press releases, human interest stories etc).
• Oversight of the station’s online presence (including Facebook & Twitter) and the training given to social media holders through best practice guidelines.
• Acting as Media Liaison when journalists/film crews visit the unit (and notifying Air Media & Comms/DDC as a matter of course to ensure awareness). Organising high-profile visits to Station for individuals/groups who have an interest in the workings of the Station.
• Researching, writing, videoing & publicising human-interest stories (and theme days) across Station (to be promulgated via digital and non-digital means).
• Provision of media plans for major station events.
• Member of the Stn Management Board & Quarterly Management Board and responsible for updating on Media & Comms.
  
  

Person specification

A key role on the station, the successful candidate will be able to work well with others as well as being able to use their own initiative and make effective decisions, working quickly with a willingness to learn new skills.

This role is suited to someone who has strong planning and organisational abilities, effectively managing conflicting demands and maintaining high levels of personal organisation under pressure.

Desirable Criteria

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels within an organisation.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely for diverse audiences.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Previous experience in a media related role.
  
  

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

Alongside your salary of £29,580, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,569 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%
  
  

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement (500 Word count)

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Personal Statement and the following:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

At Interview, You Will Be Assessed Against The Following

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: [e-mail] .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

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.

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).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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 : Steve Marshall
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [e-mail].