Job title: Communications Officer - Culture and Creative Industries

Grade: Band B (IO)

Reference number:

Closing time and date: 23:55 on 15 January 2023

Contents

Diversity and About the About the Person

About DCMS
inclusion team role specification

Employee Selection Preparing for

Job details How to apply
benefits process interview
 Welcome to DCMS

Driving growth and enriching Thank you for your interest in DCMS!
lives.
Whether you are at the beginning of your
career, returning after a break or looking for
At DCMS we work on some of the most a change of direction, DCMS is a really special
exciting, positive and important policies for place to work and so I’m confident we have
the future of the UK. something for everyone interested in working
in the Civil Service.
We connect people. We bring the nation
together. We inspire people. We Our policy areas are among the most exciting, innovative and
strengthen our society. We support the creative in government. Our people play a vital role in the
fastest growing sectors of our economy. development and delivery of government policy; whether it’s on arts,
We help people take pride in where they museums and sport, or the fast-moving world of the internet,
live and showcase it to the world. broadband, digital and telecoms, a career with us might be just what
you were looking for.
We are taking DCMS to the next level.
Updating our systems, evolving our ways We are a department that values its staff and we were proud to
of working and developing our people. achieve one of the highest staff engagement scores among all
departments last year. We work hard to create an environment,
which our diverse staff enjoy working in, and I really hope you can
join us to play a part in DCMS as we enter our next exciting phase
as a department.
Sarah Healey, Permanent Secretary
To find out more about DCMS, and what it is like working here, take a look at our LinkedIn and GOV.UK pages
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
DCMS embraces inclusivity, individuality and independent Examples of how we are making our vision a reality:
thought and we want people from all backgrounds to be their
authentic self and feel valued and supported at work. ● We advertise on a wide range of platforms to engage with
and attract candidates, including job boards such as
For DCMS to effectively serve the UK population, it must reflect Vercida and Evenbreak.
the people that it works for. And so, we are committed to making
our workforce as diverse as possible, recognising the value of ● We offer reasonable adjustments at application and
diversity of thought, background and experience. This will enable interview to enable candidates to perform at their best,
DCMS to deliver the best, most inclusive policy outcomes of the and workplace adjustments when candidates arrive at
highest standards to meet the needs of the diverse UK DCMS.
population.
● Candidates with a disability who meet the essential
“We are committed to doing the work to build a culture where criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an
everyone can be the best version of themselves; and where we interview under the Disability Confidence Scheme.
bring the widest range of perspectives to bear in the work we do
to drive growth and enrich lives.” ● We have a zero tolerance policy to Abrasive Behaviour,
- Sarah Healey, Permanent Secretary Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination (ABHD).

● We have over 20 staff networks who represent the

diverse backgrounds of our employees.

● We have opened a new second HQ in Manchester and

recruit nationally to increase the social mobility and
diversity of the department.
 About the team
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has
an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled Communications
Officer in one of the most interesting, varied and fast-paced
Whitehall departments.

We’re looking for an experienced, driven and creative

Communications Officer to join our small, friendly integrated
team where you’ll get the chance to build your skills across all
areas of DCMS work.

We work closely with Ministers, private offices, policy teams

and special advisors to identify proactive media opportunities
for Ministers and to promote the department’s work, plan media
events and manage reactive media enquiries. We also work
with our sectors to ensure we provide stakeholder and
third-party support for specific announcements.

This is a hugely rewarding role which will provide a fascinating

challenge for the right candidate.
About the role

Are you a talented communications professional passionate You will be able to land messages that cut through the national
about the arts, culture, heritage and creative industries? Would and international press, generate advocacy from influential
you like to be part of a fun and supportive team creating voices, engage audiences through our digital channels and
communications promoting these sectors and helping them thrive develop exciting campaigns that feed into the government’s wider
across the UK? agenda.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has You should be used to working at pace and have the confidence
an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled Communications to influence at the highest levels, working with ministers, senior
Officer in one of the most interesting, varied and fast paced policy officials and stakeholders. You will be able to deliver
Whitehall departments. You will be working on the Arts, Heritage against tight deadlines and handle multiple competing priorities.
and Tourism desk dealing with high profile issues that are very We need someone who has initiative and can get things done
close to people's hearts. from ideas to planning, delivery and evaluation.

We need a dynamic and creative communicator who can develop The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) deals
and implement impactful media campaigns, press with some of the most exciting and interesting policies in
announcements and PR that tell the UK’s story on how we are Government. From music and film to tech and sport we deal with
supporting our arts, culture, heritage and creative industries. the issues that make a difference to people’s lives.

You will be an experienced and resilient communicator who is As part of the communications team you will cover a diverse and
passionate about their work. exciting remit. Our office is always busy and every day is
different. There’s always room for improvement and we want
The ideal candidate would hold the following someone with the ideas and creativity to make a difference to our
work.
What are we looking for?

Essential Skills ● Be an enthusiastic team player with a can-do attitude, offering

creative solutions to problems and driving the media agenda.
● A passionate and energetic communicator with a track-record of
● Develop and deliver creative news and PR to promote the delivering creative, impactful integrated communications.
sectors you cover and get the issues to the top of the news ● Able to work under pressure, managing competing priorities
agenda using the channels our audiences trust. under changing deadlines.
● Provide communications advice and support to Ministers, ● Confident and skilled at working with and influencing ministers
senior officials and stakeholders. or senior leaders, and building alliances with stakeholders to
● Work closely with communications peers at key stakeholder support communications delivery.
organisations to maximise opportunities for joint working. ● An ability to turn complex insights into clear communications
● Handle reactive news calls ensuring that the media understand strategies and engaging campaigns, navigating risks and
the Government’s actions, plans and policies on your brief. opportunities.
● Set clear objectives for your work and select the right channels ● Able to set and evaluate clear and SMART objectives,
for your audiences (Press, partnerships digital/social media, evaluating impact and applying learnings.
advertising, PR). ● Excellent news sense, written and oral communication skills.
● Set targets and evaluation to demonstrate the impact of your ● Knowledge of the Government environment would be
communications. beneficial.
● Collaborate with policy teams to identify communications
opportunities and risks and drive stakeholder engagement.
● Take part in the out of hours duty rota, for which overtime is
paid.

You will report into the desk’s senior communications officer.

 Job details
Number of roles: 1 Working hours: 37 hours

Salary: £35,038 - £39,587 + £2,500 allowance Location: This role will be based from London

Contract type: Permanent The successful candidate will have the flexibility to work remotely, with
the expectation that they attend the office no less than twice a week in
Who can apply?: Civil Servants and external applicants accordance with DCMS’s hybrid working policy.

Level of security required: You must hold, or be willing to obtain

CTC level

Working patterns: Full-time, Flexible working

Employee benefits

As a DCMS employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits including:

A Civil Service 26.5 days Staff wellbeing, Exceptional Generous leave

pension - annual leave - Staff reward flexible working learning and for parents -
average 27% rising to 31.5 and recognition and hybrid development including 9
employer after 5 years bonuses working opportunities months full-pay
contribution service maternity leave
How to apply

To apply for this post, please send us the following documents no later than 23:55 on 15 January 2023
via the CS Jobs portal:

➔ A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure
you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

➔ A Statement of Suitability (max 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills,
qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the
essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed.

For the shortlist, we will assess your experience and select applicants demonstrating the best fit for
the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with:
dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
 Selection process details

Advert closing date: 15 January 2023

Shortlisting: w/c 16 January 2023 Get in touch

Interviews: w/c 23 January 2023 If you would like to discuss the role in more detail please
Feedback: w/c 23 January 2023 contact: faye.jackson@dcms.gov.uk

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising

flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Feedback

Please note you will only receive feedback if you reach the
interview stage.

Following interview, all candidates will receive a score

along with some short written feedback on your
performance at interview.
 The interview
A panel interview to establish fit with the role, suitable
skills and experience.

Candidates invited to interview will undertake a blended

assessment covering the behaviours, GCS competencies
(listed in the job description) and experience.

You will also be required to undertake an written exercise

as part of your interview for which further details will be
provided in advance of the interview.
Success Profiles

The Success Profiles framework is

what the Civil Service use to assess
candidates, in order to find the right
person for the job.

Throughout the assessment process,

we will be assessing you against Civil
Service Success Profiles.

Within this candidate pack you will find

information on which elements of
Success Profiles you are being
assessed against.

Click on each box for more information about each item

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity,

or the recruitment process, please consult the ‘Information for Applicants’
document attached to the job advert.