External Communications Manager
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 5th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Those seeking immigration advice and services are often among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society. The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is an Arm’s Length Body of the Home Office. We regulate the work of registered Immigration Advisers and tackle the illegal advice-giving activities of criminals that often exploit vulnerable and disadvantaged migrants and threaten the integrity of the immigration system.
We are recruiting an External Communications Manager for the organisation. Reporting to the Chief Staff Officer/Head of Communications, you will act as the organisation’s key external communications adviser, responsible for delivering communications with impact.
You will work closely with the wider communications and engagement team to develop strategic external communications plans, powerful campaign activity and effective media relations. You will manage the OISC website, streamlining publication processes and enhancing the user experience across the site. You will provide direct, regular assistance to the Immigration Services Commissioner and the Executive Team on communications related issues.
This is a fantastic opportunity where you will be empowered to develop key messages, narratives, and objectives to support wider organisational aims. You will ensure targeted communications products reach the right audiences, through horizon scanning for opportunities and appropriate audience segmentation. You will lead the OISC to grow its reach while maintaining, protecting, and enhancing its reputation.
The role is full-time basis, however we will consider applicants who wish to job share.
Job description
Responsibilities:
The jobholder will be responsible for:
- Oversight, implementation and evaluation of external communications strategies, covering the range of work across the OISC;
- Management of media enquiries and engagement, including analysis of regular media monitoring and advising on proactive action;
- Development and leadership of campaign activity, working with an agency on briefing, management, and delivery;
- Management of the OISC website, social media and digital communications channels;
- Strategic external communication planning, developing proposals to enhance awareness and increase transparency; and
- Supporting the Commissioner and Executive Team with appropriate key messages.
Location:
- OISC has no permanent offices. All staff are based at their home address with regular face to face meetings of teams and the whole organisation monthly, at appropriate venues;
- The jobholder will be based at their home address which must be within the United Kingdom.
- Occasional Travel across the United Kingdom to attend in person team and office meetings will be required.
Person specification
Essential criteria:
- You will have experience in a strategic communications role, including the development of strategies through to successful delivery;
- You will have led external communications activities, confident in briefing media and leading on all press engagement;
- You will have used multiple communications channels, including social, digital, and low-cost options;
- You will have excellent communications skills and can show how you build relationships with external partners, often in challenging circumstances; and
- You will have strong organisational skills.
Desirable criteria:
- Understanding of the Government Communications Service operating models and principles.
- A good understanding of current news issues, and political awareness, with experience of advising on risks and reputational issues.
- Experience of briefing and persuading senior people.
Benefits
- A role that offers significant contribution to the OISC's mission
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- A supportive and inclusive work environment
- 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 average employer contribution of 27%
An information pack on the OISC is attached to this advertisement.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Things you need to know:
Timeline:
Closing date: 11:55pm on Sunday 5 May 2024.
Sift will take place week commencing 6 May 2024. If you do not hear from us by 11 May 2024 please assume that you have not been shortlisted for interview.
Interviews will take place week commencing 13 May 2024. They will be carried out online via MS Teams.
The timeline may change subject to business need.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Selection process details:
To apply for this post, you should send the following to recruitment@oisc.gov.uk by 23:55 on Sunday 5 May 2024:
- Your CV
- Personal Statement demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the above criteria and make you right for this role (750 words)
- An example of how you have demonstrated the behaviour ‘communicating and influencing’ (250 words)
When sending your CV please ensure that you provide reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and influencing
- Leadership
- Changing and improving
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and influencing
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Communications - Ideas
- Communications - Impact
Please include the job title in the subject line of both your emails. We do not accept applications through recruitment agencies; you should apply only through the recruitment@oisc.gov.uk email address as outlined above.
When sending your CV please ensure that you provide reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
If you are successful at sift stage you will be invited to an Interview which will be a blended approach of Behaviour and Technical skills questions (Ideas and Impact). You will be asked to deliver a short presentation at interview, with instructions provided in advance. Technical skills assessed at interview will be based on the GCS Competency Framework.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact the OISC Human Resources Team at recruitment@oisc.gov.uk.
Equality and Diversity
This may be at the end, but it is far from an afterthought; we are committed to creating an inclusive environment, which promotes and supports inclusivity and respect, with a culture that supports our communities and partners and celebrates all aspects of diversity. Achieving our aim to lead to a working environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation.
The OISC is an equal opportunities employer.
We welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, disability, religion or belief.
We are keen to ensure that our recruitment process is fair to all and to do so we encourage all applicants to submit an Equality and Diversity Questionnaire which can be downloaded from this advertisement. This should not be sent in with your CV and Supporting Statement, it should be sent separately to astrid.murray@oisc.gov.uk.
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 : recruitment@oisc.gov.uk
- Email : recruitment@oisc.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@oisc.gov.uk
Further information
Follow link to apply
