JOB DESCRIPTION

New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range. The national starting salary is £34,140.

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

BACKGROUND

The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure that Northern Ireland’s interests are represented within the UK Government and that UK government responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland. We are the centre of expertise on Northern Ireland issues across Government.

The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London. As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project-based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives.

Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment.

Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and include:

• Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland

• Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, where terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities

• Ensuring that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public service.

• Addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland

For more information about what we do:

Visit:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-office https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Are you a creative and confident communicator with a talent for storytelling and a passion for digital content? We’re looking for a Digital Communications Manager to join the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Communications Team, representing the work of the UK Government in Northern Ireland across high-profile digital channels.

In this exciting role, you’ll lead the creation of engaging digital content that supports our communications strategy and showcases the work of NIO Ministers and wider government activity. From social media campaigns to key government announcements, you’ll help bring policy to life through compelling stories and powerful visuals.

You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment and be comfortable juggling priorities, working with senior stakeholders, and turning complex information into clear, engaging content.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is a confident, audience-focused communicator with strong news or communications experience.

• Has a sharp eye for what makes a great story and can shape it for digital platforms.

• Can think strategically and deliver high-quality content aligned with government messaging.

You’ll be responsible for managing day-to-day content across our digital channels, with a focus on priority communications such as Ministerial visits, key policy moments, and public-facing campaigns. Your work will help shape public understanding of government activity in Northern Ireland.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need:

• Extensive experience in both photography and videography for high-profile campaigns.

• Proficiency in editing photos and video post-production.

• The ability to create a range of digital assets using tools such as graphic design software or online platforms.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

As Digital Communications Manager, you’ll play a key role in shaping how the Northern Ireland Office connects with the public and stakeholders across digital platforms. Your main responsibilities will include (and not limited to):

• Planning and delivering a weekly programme of digital content that brings NIO policies, Ministerial visits, and key announcements to life—aligned with wider government communications strategies.

• Creating engaging, audience-focused content across digital platforms, including gov.uk/nio and social media channels.

• Managing and growing the NIO’s social media presence on platforms such as LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram—adapting messages to suit different audiences and platforms.

• Producing high-quality digital assets, including filming, editing and publishing video and photography content, while ensuring accessibility and editorial standards are met.

• Building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including Ministers, to advise on and pitch effective digital communication strategies.

• Responding swiftly to fast-moving news events, drafting digital content in collaboration with news desk colleagues to address emerging stories in real time.

• Tracking performance and analysing results from social media platforms, using insights to fine-tune digital activity and drive continuous improvement.

• Collaborating with No. 10’s New Media Unit, aligning messaging and sharing best practice across government.

• Working closely with partners across Whitehall, including the Government Communication Service (GCS), to maintain a joined-up communications approach across departments

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview:

• Experience working in a news or communications environment

• Experience working in a large organisation to deliver digital content strategies

• Experience planning and creating digital content at pace and measuring the impact of its success

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• A strong understanding of the political and cultural landscape of Northern Ireland

• Experience in developing and implementing graphics for social media as well as capturing and editing video content to high standard, using Adobe suite

• Active security clearance at CTC level

BEHAVIOURS:

We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at the HEO level during the application sift and interview process:

• Communicating and Influencing (lead behaviour)

• Seeing the Big Picture

• Delivering at Pace

• Working Together

Please provide 250 words for each behaviour outlining how you have demonstrated the behaviour, using specific examples.

More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found here.

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour “communicating and influencing"

INTERVIEW:

You will be assessed against the same behaviours at the interview stage and will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated the behaviours.

It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:

• WHO- What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? or

• STAR- What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take?  What were the Results of your actions?

Strengths

It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role. While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this.

If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

OFFER

Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first.

The successful candidate will be notified of a start date following successful security checks.

Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview.

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

This role requires National Security Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role. You can find more information by reviewing the information held in the following links:

United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The vetting charter - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

In addition, there is a minimum UK residency requirement set by the Cabinet Office which is dependent on the security level required for the role.

This role requires CTC and to be eligible to apply for this role you should have been resident in the UK continuously for the past 3 years

Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.

Further Information:

Further information about the post may be obtained from Alison Shields via email to alison.shields@nio.gov.uk.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.

Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at the sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following the interview.

COMPLAINTS:

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles.

Please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk) in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages:

http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/

RESERVE LISTS:

In the event that the advertised post following interview, identifies more appointable applicants than available posts, we may hold applicant details on a merit/reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further future appointments can be made. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact

MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com to be removed from the reserve list.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The NIO 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 NIO 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.

Flexible working hours

The NIO offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. NIO 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 NIO’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits:

• Access to learning and development

• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance

• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity

• A Civil Service pension

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after five years service.

• Public Holidays

• Season Ticket Advance

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 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

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);

• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);

• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, we 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. We 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 see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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.

Interview dates

Date(s) TBC

Closing Date:

2nd May 2025, 23:55 hours.

Contact information

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com