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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £35,335 - £37,847, London salary range is £40,014 - £42,859. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Birmingham, London, National, Nottingham
Region
East Midlands, London, National, West Midlands
Closing Date
24-Nov-2025
Post Type
Fixed Term
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
11139

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Internal Communications Manager (Change - HEO)

Overview

Fixed term – 24 months

Are you a resilient and adaptable communications professional with a passion for supporting people through organisational change? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where priorities shift and collaboration is key to success?

We're looking for a people-focused communicator who can build bridges between diverse stakeholders and transform complex change initiatives into engaging, accessible narratives that resonate with all audiences.

The team advises the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) on all areas of work – from providing communications strategy for major change programmes and our People Plan, to tactical support of staff initiatives. We also maintain the intranet, design and arrange events, produce updates for various internal audiences, storyboard and manage filming of corporate videos and advise all levels of staff on internal communications.

You’ll have a flexible and creative approach to your work and be comfortable working through ambiguity. You'll be supporting colleagues through periods of uncertainty and be confident in adapting your approach based on evolving organisational needs and stakeholder feedback.

About the role

The role forms part of a multi-disciplinary communications team supporting OPG to achieve its change business objectives during an exciting time for the agency. In this role you will:

About you

  • You're committed to continuous improvement and learning, actively seeking feedback on your work and using evaluation data to refine your approaches and show impact.

About our organisation

The Ministry of Justice is one of the largest government organisations with more than 65,000 staff in offices, courts and prisons across the country. The department is delivering ambitious plans to make sure prisons are safe, secure and provide genuine rehabilitation, to provide a modern courts and justice system and to support our world-leading legal sector.

Within the MoJ, this role is supporting change communications activity for the Office of the Public Guardian, an executive agency of MoJ. OPG's role is to support people who may lack the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and wellbeing or financial affairs.

Across MoJ we are guided by our shared values – purpose, humanity, openness, and togetherness. We believe in our purpose, providing justice for our society; we care about each other and those we work with, we show them humanity; we are open to learning and innovating, both in ourselves and the things we do; and we want to work together, collaborating with colleagues throughout MoJ and far beyond.

We provide a truly flexible culture including hybrid working, job-sharing and part-time work to support our people in being the best they can be. In this role you will become part of the Government Communications Service (GCS), the professional body for government communicators.

You'll join an ambitious, innovative, and supportive team where your resilience and collaborative approach will be valued. You'll have opportunities to continuously develop your skills and expertise in an environment that celebrates different perspectives and approaches.

OPG has offices in both central Birmingham and Nottingham, but also the opportunity to work from one of the Ministry of Justice collaboration hubs based in locations across the country. Wherever you are based, regular travel to the OPG offices and our London MoJ headquarters will be required, this will include monthly team meetings and to meet specific business needs.

At present, our expectation is you will work from the office a minimum of 2 days a week.

Please note – we will routinely recruit individuals at the bottom of our salary scale for all our communications roles.

Assessment

You will be asked to submit a CV and statement of suitability (750 words). Interviews are expected to take place in person in Birmingham.

We will use Success Profiles as part of this recruitment exercise. If you're invited to attend an interview, we will ask you about your competencies in the following areas:

Civil Service Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Encourage the use of different communication methods, including digital resources, and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost-effectiveness. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and considers people's individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.

Working Together Support joined-up teamwork within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders, and collaborate with these to share information, resources and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another. Actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Making Effective Decisions Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support accurate, expert and professional decision-making. Invite challenge and involve others in decision-making to help build engagement and present robust recommendations. Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Present recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.

Managing a Quality Service Maintain effective performance through ambiguous and challenging circumstances, remaining calm and professional. Take pride in delivering quality outcomes and providing efficient and effective customer service. Deliver a trusted, reliable and sustainable service. Regularly monitor your own work against milestones and performance targets, acting to resolve problems and improve service delivery. Support innovative ways of working that make services more efficient and effective.

Government Communication Service Competencies

Ideas
Develop comprehensive communications plans, identifying the most effective channels, tools, and creative approaches to engage diverse audiences and maximise reach and impact.

Implementation Work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to deliver communication strategies and plans, showing resilience and adaptability when facing challenges or changing circumstances.

Insight Use research, data analysis, and audience feedback to understand what motivates different groups and continuously improve communication effectiveness, demonstrating how communication activities contribute to organisational objectives.

Creative Develop innovative approaches to communication challenges, experimenting with new formats, channels, and technologies to improve engagement whilst ensuring accessibility and inclusion.

Details of the Government Communication Service competencies can be found online: https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/professional-development/competency-framework/

Details of the Success Profiles competencies can be found online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

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 11139

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 11139

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Ideas: Develop comprehensive communications plans, identifying the most effective channels, tools, and creative approaches to engage diverse audiences and maximise reach and impact.
Implementation: Work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to deliver communication strategies and plans, showing resilience and adaptability when facing challenges or changing circumstances.
Insight: Use research, data analysis, and audience feedback to understand what motivates different groups and continuously improve communication effectiveness, demonstrating how communication activities contribute to organisational objectives.
Creative: Develop innovative approaches to communication challenges, experimenting with new formats, channels, and technologies to improve engagement whilst ensuring accessibility and inclusion.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
We expect to hold interviews between 1-10 December
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Technical
Ideas: Develop comprehensive communications plans, identifying the most effective channels, tools, and creative approaches to engage diverse audiences and maximise reach and impact.
Implementation: Work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to deliver communication strategies and plans, showing resilience and adaptability when facing challenges or changing circumstances.
Insight: Use research, data analysis, and audience feedback to understand what motivates different groups and continuously improve communication effectiveness, demonstrating how communication activities contribute to organisational objectives.
Creative: Develop innovative approaches to communication challenges, experimenting with new formats, channels, and technologies to improve engagement whilst ensuring accessibility and inclusion.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Written Exercise
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard

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.