JOB DESCRIPTION

New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range.

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

The national starting salary is £56,532. The London starting salary is £61,201. Your salary will be dependent on your base location

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 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 www.nio.gov.uk

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As Head of Strategic and Internal Communications, you will be expected to hit the ground running, quickly making a significant contribution as a senior leader to the smooth running of the Communications Directorate and in developing and implementing our organisation's strategic communication vision.

You will thrive in a fast-paced environment and be comfortable juggling priorities, working with senior stakeholders and leading your team to turn complex information into clear, engaging communications outputs for internal and external audiences.

You will champion innovation and efficiency in our strategic communications approaches for key announcements, events and departmental priorities, while developing your team's capabilities and maintaining the highest professional standards.

In addition, you will be responsible for shaping how we engage with our people and ensuring that our internal communications strategies align with our organisational objectives and that you deliver impactful communications.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Strategic vision and leadership: Ability to set a compelling communications vision that supports organisational objectives and inspires your team to deliver exceptional results, with proven experience in leading high-performing communications teams.

• Exceptional stakeholder management: Demonstrable capability to build strong relationships at all levels, particularly with senior leadership, and to effectively influence and advise on internal and strategic communications matters.

• Internal communications expertise: Track record of successfully communicating complex internal communications including change initiatives to internal audiences, with a deep understanding of how to drive engagement.

• Commitment to professional development: Dedication to continuous learning and development both for yourself and your team, with experience in identifying and nurturing talent.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

• Developing strategic communications approaches and communications handling plans for key UK Government and departmental priorities, announcements and events and oversight of team in delivery

• Oversight of the development and delivery of an annual programme of internal communications including a weekly content plan, departmental engagement sessions and L&D events

• Weekly participation in Head of Internal Communications DD network;

• Oversight of the collection and analysis of data insights associated with existing communications strategies

• Deputising for the Deputy Director, Communications at key engagements within the Northern Ireland Office as well as in cross Government forums

• Assisting the Deputy Director in the oversight of key corporate functions within the team e.g. budgets, resourcing, learning and development

• Contributing to cross-departmental initiatives and programmes as well as leading on delivery of a number of special projects internally

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

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

• Proven experience working as a senior leader within a large organisation with responsibility for developing and delivering strategic communications plans and internal communications strategies

• Demonstrable track record of leading high-performing communications teams at a senior level

• Experience translating complex organisational priorities / objectives into clear, compelling narratives for both internal and external audiences

• Experience of successfully advising senior leaders on sensitive communications matters, showing your capacity to build trust and credibility

• Experience briefing Ministers or senior leaders within large organisations on complex communications strategies

• Proven ability in implementing internal communications strategies, including significant organisational change programmes, with measurable improvements in staff engagement

• Examples of successfully managing complex external and internal communications in high pressure environments, showing your ability to provide clear leadership

• Experience building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and providing trusted communications counsel and managing complex stakeholder relationships

• Evidence of managing high-performing, diverse communications teams across multiple locations

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

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

• Experience in managing external affairs programmes

• Track record of measuring the impact of communications

• Active security clearance at CTC level

BEHAVIOURS:

We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at the Grade 7 level during the application sift and interview process:

• Seeing the Big Picture (lead behaviour)

• Communicating and Influencing

• 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 “Seeing the Bigger Picture".

EXPERIENCE:

Please provide a CV outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. This will be used in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role. Your CV will not be formally assessed, it will be used to add context to your responses to the behaviours.

Your CV should include details of your education, professional qualifications, previous skills and full employment history.

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

You will be asked one strength question. 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.

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 SC and to be eligible to apply for this role you should have been present in the UK continuously for the past 5 years

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

Further Information:

Further information about the post may be obtained from the Deputy Head of Communications, Seóna McGrath via email to seona.mcgrath@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:

10/06/2025, 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