Skip to content

General Information

Salary
£49,325 - £53,081
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
22-Aug-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
8797

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Title            Senior External Affairs Manager             

Grade                Senior Executive Officer / SIO

Department      Ministry of Justice         

Reports to:       Grade 7 / G7

Job Outline

About the Ministry of Justice

From keeping drugs out of prisons and cutting crime, to overhauling sentencing laws and delivering justice for victims – the Ministry of Justice is doing important work to make our streets safer as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. It’s a large department, often at the forefront of the news agenda and our relationships with stakeholders across the justice system are crucial.

Our small External Affairs team plays a key role helping to build and maintain those relationships to enhance policy development and improve the delivery of our services. The team supports colleagues across the department navigate the complex landscape of agencies, charities and advocates which it interacts with.

The team provides regular updates to our stakeholders and a route into policymakers. It also has a renewed focus on collaborating with our stakeholders to communicate government policy and initiatives. This involves working with other communications colleagues in the press office, digital, visits and internal communications.

And with a diverse remit including prisons and probation, family justice, victim support and the courts system, no day is ever the same in this busy office. 

About the role

Working as a Senior External Affairs Manager within this team is an exciting challenge and will certainly develop you as a professional communicator.

We are looking for a proactive and skilled individual to drive high-quality stakeholder engagement and produce plans which help mitigate criticism and boost third-party support in the media. In this role you will build, develop and maintain effective relationships with a diverse range of key stakeholders, contribute to strategic communications planning, and support senior civil servants, Ministers and the Lord Chancellor in their engagement activities.

You will work within a fast-paced environment, responding quickly to changing priorities while maintaining strategic focus. This role requires excellent judgement, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to navigate complex policy landscapes while building trusted relationships.

The Communications Team at the Ministry of Justice prides itself on its supportive, collaborative culture and diversity, and is often highlighted for its innovative, impactful work. Ensuring our colleagues have a good work-life balance is important to us and our flexible working policy helps those with caring responsibilities.

About the GCS

By joining a communications team, you will become a member of the Government Communications Service, a profession of around 6000 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 our careers page.

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

Key Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will be:

  • Identifying influential stakeholders across the justice system, monitoring their positions on key issues, and producing regular reports.
  • Developing and implementing comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies that align with departmental priorities and policy goals.
  • Managing relationships through direct engagement, events, visits and tailored communications while building advocacy for government initiatives.
  • Contributing to cross-cutting communications campaigns, ensuring stakeholder perspectives are integrated into planning and delivery.
  • Collaborating with stakeholders to find communications activity we can link-up to build the case for changes the government is making.
  • Working with the press office and digital communications teams to find ways to involve our stakeholders in MoJ communications plans.
  • Coordinating with colleagues across government, in particular those involved in the Safer Streets mission, to ensure a joined-up approach to external engagement.
  • Evaluating the impact of stakeholder engagement activities to demonstrate value and inform future approaches.
  • Supporting the development of an External Affairs Manager (HEO grade).

With the support of an experienced network of peers and a strong focus on professional development, you will continue to develop skills in these areas. Your work with colleagues across different communications disciplines places you in a good position to build a wide-range of communications expertise.

Person Specification

Government Communications is determined to ensure that the profession is representative of the audiences we are communicating with and welcomes applications from the widest range of people of different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. You can find out more by visiting https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/

Essential Criteria:

  • Experience in stakeholder engagement, external affairs or public relations, with proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships at all levels
  • Understanding of the political landscape and experience in navigating complex stakeholder environments
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write clear briefings for a diverse range of stakeholders and audiences
  • Experience of managing multiple projects, prioritising competing demands and managing sensitive information
  • Good understanding of strategic communications and stakeholder management principles
  • Collaborative working, a proactive team player with sound problem solving abilities, an ability to interpret complex information and deliver clear and engaging content.

Desirable Criteria:

  • Experience of using stakeholder management systems and tools
  • Leadership and team management capabilities, including setting clear direction, supporting team members, and adopting an inclusive leadership style that values diversity and inclusion.
  • Understanding of the media landscape, from traditional print and broadcast to social media and influencer-based communications.

Behaviours

We will be assessing you on the following behaviours which link to the Civil Service Success Profile:

  • Communicating and Influencing

Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact.
Ensure communication has a clear purpose, is respectful and takes into account people’s individual needs.
Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same.

  • Working together

Encourage joined up team work within your own team and across other groups
Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders
Collaborate with stakeholders 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

  • Seeing the bigger picture

Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work
Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities
Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area

Technical Skills

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

Insight

  • Gather, analyse and apply understanding of stakeholder perspectives and the political landscape to inform communication strategies and anticipate potential challenges or opportunities.

Ideas

  • Come up with creative ways to involve stakeholders in communications activity to strategically advance policy objectives.

Implementation

  • Execute stakeholder engagement plans through skilled relationship management, coordinated outreach activities and collaborative working with colleagues.

Impact

  • Evaluate and demonstrate how stakeholder engagement work has enhanced policy development, amplified the department’s external communications, improved the department's reputation and contributed to achieving government objectives.


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: 8797

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: 8797

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Seeing the Big Picture
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
We would like to assess candidates on their responses to the following 3 questions:
1. What do you see as the key challenges facing the Ministry of Justice over the next six months? [Insight, max 250 words]
2. Describe a time when you have worked with press office or digital comms colleagues to incorporate stakeholder voices into external communications. What did you learn? [Implementation, max 250 words]
3. Can you share an example of how you anticipated an emerging issue or stakeholder concern and responded strategically before it became a challenge? [Seeing the Bigger Picture, max 250 words]
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Insight
Ideas
Implementation
Impact

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
TBC
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Seeing the Big Picture
Technical
Insight
Ideas
Implementation
Impact

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Security Clearance (SC)