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General Information

Salary
£40,014 - £42,859
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
03-Nov-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
2
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
11077

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

About the Ministry of Justice

From keeping drugs out of prisons and cutting crime, to overhauling sentencing laws, supporting victims and creating new offences to protect women from violence – the Ministry of Justice is one of only a handful of Government departments that can truly dominate the news agenda.  

And our Press Office, bursting with talent, is widely recognised as the gold standard within government for shaping stories and influencing news across print, broadcast, and online. With a diverse remit including prisons and probation, family justice, victims support and modernising the courts system, no day is ever the same in this busy office. 

We are looking for creative, hard-working, passionate people to join our team, so if you’re looking for an exciting, challenging job, where you can develop with support from experienced communications professionals, keep reading. 

About the role

Government press officers handle many of the news stories you read, watch, listen and react to every day. You will be operating at the very heart of government, helping to shape news coverage on issues that affect everyday lives. This role on our Newsdesk represents the front line of the Ministry of Justice’s media relations. You will be responding to multiple incoming queries from journalists, working at pace to find answers, curate lines, and delivering these to journalists. You will be expected to be able to confidently brief journalists and set out the Government’s position to them.

Alongside these responsibilities you will also take part in our out-of-hours duty rota. This will involve proactively monitoring for breaking news and coverage that might require correction or clarification, providing swift and effective responses to requests for comment and keeping the department abreast of developments. 

Key Responsibilities

We currently have one role available on our reactive Newsdesk. The team handles journalists’ queries for the Ministry of Justice as well as our agencies including His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service.  All media officers will be responsible for:

●      Reactive media management – dealing with breaking stories, drafting and providing statements and information to journalists, and keeping the department updated on news coverage.

●      News management – the ability to quickly spot both potential problems and but also opportunities to insert a government voice positively

●      Presenting summaries of the day’s coverage to the wider team and providing insight on media handling.

●      Providing regular media handling advice to Ministers, officials and colleagues on sensitive, complex and high-profile issues.  

●      Working with other communicators in the MoJ on digital, stakeholder and internal communications.

●      Developing and maintaining strong relationships with Ministers, officials, journalists, stakeholders and colleagues in other departments. 

With the support of an experienced network of peers and a strong focus on professional development, you will develop skills in line with these areas.

You would also contribute to the Press Office out-of-hours service, for which overtime is paid.

While the posts are based on Newsdesk, there will be opportunities in future for successful candidates to move to other positions within Press Office.

About the Government Communication Service

By joining our team, you will also become a member of the Government Communication Service (GCS), a profession of over 7000 communicators working in government departments, agencies and arm’s length bodies. You’ll benefit from continuous professional development from our new learning and development curriculum, a network of skilled communicators sharing best practice, mentoring opportunities, and more!

For more information on how becoming a part of the Communications Profession can support your career and development please visit the GCS careers page.

For our top tips on how to write your application, please take a look at the GCS’s recruitment top tips for candidates guide.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

●      Excellent understanding of the national news agenda, social media landscape and communications handling; strong news judgement and political awareness

●      Excellent verbal and written communication skills - producing high quality written content such as press releases, op-eds and briefings, for a range of different stakeholders and audiences

●      Proven ability to distil large amounts of complex information into clear key messages suitable for specific audiences  

●      Strong organisational and planning skills, comfortable managing multiple priorities and working to tight deadlines

●      Strong networking skills with confidence in building and maintaining a network of internal and external contacts, including journalists

●      Strong team collaboration skills, work effectively as part of a team; contributing to shared goals, supporting colleagues and fostering a positive team environment.

Desirable Criteria

●      Experience of working either in a journalism/media/press office environment will be an advantage, although we are open to a range of backgrounds.

●      Ability to plan communications strategically and long term, based on insights and always ending in solid and honest evaluations.

Salary

The salary range for this post is £40,014 - £42,859 plus generous overtime payments for participation in the out of hours rota.

Existing civil servants on level transfer will retain their level of pay unless this is lower than the starting salary as per MoJ T&Cs. 

Flexible working hours 

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working hours system. Like most government press offices, we are busy and you may on occasion need to work different hours to usual, but you will not be expected to work overtime regularly and ensuring everyone has a healthy work-life balance is a priority for us. You will take part in the out of hours duty rota, which is rewarded through generous overtime payment, but there is flexibility, particularly for those with parental or caring responsibilities.  

Security clearance and residency 

If you are successful at interview, we will work with you to acquire security clearance. This is a straightforward process for most people but does, generally, require you to have been resident in the UK for at least the last five years.

How to apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV, provide short examples demonstrating the behaviours below in previous roles and give us your assessment of the main media issues facing the Ministry of Justice over the next six months.

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

  • Communicating and Influencing

Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; Express ideas clearly and with respect for others; Listen to and value different ideas, views and ways of working; Respond constructively and objectively to comments and questions; Handle challenging conversations with confidence and sensitivity.

  • Delivering at pace

Regularly check performance against objectives, making suggestions for improvement where necessary; Identify what is required to ensure success, set clear goals and continually assess workloads considering individual needs; Have a positive and focused attitude to achieving outcomes, despite any setbacks.

More details on these can be found in the Civil Service behaviours (PDF).

We'll also assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • Insight

Understand how to reach the biggest and/or most appropriate audience for an announcement using a mix of media channels. Maintain an awareness of the news agenda.

  • Ideas

Work up ideas for stories and case studies to help increase media interest in a positive news story.

  • Implementation

Draft high-quality press releases that maximise media coverage and punchy statements that rebut criticism effectively.

  • Impact

Monitor media coverage and evaluate your success in reaching the target audience and delivering key messages.

More details on these can be found in the Government Communication Professional Competency (Technical Skills) Framework.

Notes for Business Office

Behaviours

Test at application stage only:

●      Behaviour 1 – Communicating and Influencing

Q: Please describe an occasion where you have had to write about a complex issue in a simple and straightforward way.

Max. word count: 250

●      Behaviour 2 – Delivering at Pace

Q: Please describe an occasion when you have successfully dealt with competing pressures and describe how you prioritised these.

Max. word count: 250

Technical skills

●      Technical 1: Insight - Understand how to reach the biggest and/or most appropriate audience for an announcement using a mix of media channels. Maintain an awareness of the news agenda.

Application and Interview

Q: Please set out the main issues you think the Ministry of Justice will face in the news over the next six months.

Max. word count: 250

●      Technical 2: Ideas - Work up ideas for stories and case studies to help increase media interest in a positive news story.

Interview only

●      Technical 3: Implementation - Draft high-quality press releases that maximise media coverage and punchy statements that rebut criticism effectively.

Interview only

●      Technical 4: Impact - Monitor media coverage and evaluate your success in reaching the target audience and delivering key messages.

Interview only

Experience

Work history/CV (not sure what the difference is to be honest!)

Strengths

Challenger

Resilient

Additional assessments at interview:

  • Written exercise
  • Other – prioritisation exercise

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & 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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.


Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 11077

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV, provide short examples demonstrating the behaviours listed below in previous roles and give us your assessment of the main media issues facing the Ministry of Justice over the next six months.

* Delivering and Pace
* Communicating and influencing
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interview dates to be arranged in due course.
Behaviours
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Technical
Insight - Understand how to reach the biggest and/or most appropriate audience for an announcement using a mix of media channels. Maintain an awareness of the news agenda.
Ideas - Work up ideas for stories and case studies to help increase media interest in a positive news story.
Implementation - Draft high-quality press releases that maximise media coverage and punchy statements that rebut criticism effectively.
Impact - Monitor media coverage and evaluate your success in reaching the target audience and delivering key messages.
Level of security checks required
Security Clearance (SC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.