Internal Communications Officer
UK Space Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 6th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government’s space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government’s vision.
Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity’s horizons.
We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country.
Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sector’s interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes
We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency.
More information about the Agency is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency
To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZZ-o0IkVU
We have an inclusive culture to make UKSA a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.
We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion.
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications professional to support our internal communications capability and employ a range of internal channels to promote the government’s vision for the UK space sector.
With almost 300 staff as our biggest asset and most important stakeholders, you will be tasked with influencing how we communicate and engage with them.
You will develop and deliver internal communications activity aiming to build trust, empowerment and engagement in employees located across multiple sites, helping to make the Agency a great place to work.
You will help to promote a creative and insight-driven culture across internal communications, and through supporting the development of a strategy, demonstrate clear and relatable communications techniques.
A confident self-starter, you will have experience of working with senior colleagues and advising them on high-profile issues and opportunities.
You will support the Senior Internal Communications Officer in developing close working relationships across the Agency, in particular with staff networks and the senior leadership team.
Key responsibilities
- Contributing to an internal communications strategy and ensuring this evolves according to changing Agency priorities and audience insight.
- Carrying out evaluation of communications campaigns and contributing key insights and recommended improvements into planning processes.
- Supporting and managing the day-to-day running of internal communication tools and platforms.
- Planning, producing and publishing innovative, engaging, and targeted content for use across our internal channels (SharePoint, Huddles, Bulletin).
- Fostering strong relationships right across the organisation and providing support to colleagues of all levels to help them communicate effectively.
- Advising on effective handling for key corporate issues and change communications and identifying risks and opportunities in recommendations.
- Supporting teams to build their internal communications capabilities and identify and gather insight on internal audiences.
- Communicating the UK Space Agency mission statement and goals to staff, aiming to build understanding of how their role helps to deliver Agency goals.
- Developing and maintaining a forward look to ensure a strategic approach to planning proactively throughout the year.
- Leading communications activities for internal events, e.g. all-staff away days and events, Director stand-ups, key announcements.
- Working with colleagues across external communications to develop strategies for key external milestones, to inspire colleagues and raise internal awareness of how His Majesty Government and UK Space Agency are delivering against government priorities in space, and to highlight the UK space sector’s achievements and commercial opportunities.
- Maintaining excellent standards of written content across the internal communications team.
- Ensuring that the internal communications team works closely with all communications functions to deliver consistent and relatable messaging internally across all areas of the Agency’s work.
Person specification
Essential
- Ability to build relationships with colleagues at all levels and have the confidence to challenge unclear or ineffective communication.
- Ability to provide authoritative and trusted advice based on strategic insight to senior leadership and management teams.
- Ability to work under pressure – while also maintaining sound political judgement.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely, including internal briefings for senior leaders.
- Ability to plan ahead and think strategically, working with people from across the Agency towards a single vision.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
- Experience in contributing to and delivering internal communications strategies.
- Experience in developing communications objectives that link strongly to organisational priorities.
- Skills to work with a variety of internal communications and digital platforms, including Adobe Creative Suite and digital media, including filming, editing and graphics.
- Knowledge of industry developments through Government Civil Service and other professional networks.
Desirable
- Experience of government communication
- Degree or equivalent qualification
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- GCS competency - Insight
- GCS competency- IDEAS
- GCS competency - IMPACT
Benefits
UK Space Agency offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
Access to a range of retail, travel, and lifestyle employee discounts.
Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home, or elsewhere, as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this). If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
UK Space Agency is undergoing a transformation programme which may impact your role, line manager and/or location in the future. We will share more details with you as they become known.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement (maximum 500 words) ,behaviour examples (maximum 250 words each) and Technical skills.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The CV is for information and will not be scored.
Please align your Personal Statement to 'What role does Internal Communications play in making an organisation a great place to work?'
The sift will be on the the Behaviours, Technical Skills and Personal Statement.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Communication and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interviews will be on the Behaviours and Technical Skills.
Sift and interview dates
Expected timeline subject to change
The sift is expected to take place week commencing 6th May 2024.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 20th May 2024
Interview location: MS teams
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further information
This post is advertised as a Fixed Term contract for a period up to 31st March 2025.
Civil Servants:
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs).Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
UK Space Agency Employees:
You must seek approval from your substantive manager before applying for any non-permanent vacancy, this includes applying for a new post during an existing temporary posting. Please note that if applying for a temporary post within UK Space Agency or elsewhere on promotion, successful appointment will not automatically result in a permanent promotion - you will revert to your current substantive grade at the end of the Fixed Term or Loan period (unless funding has been approved to make the post permanent).
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via uksarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
Any move to UK Space Agency 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms directly. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Helen Turner
- Email : helen.turner@ukspaceagency.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : uksarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
