Communications Officer

General Information

Salary

£40,014 - £42,859

Working Pattern

Full Time

Vacancy Approach

External

Location

London

Region

London

Closing Date

21-Sep-2026

Post Type

Permanent

Civil Service Grade

HEO

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job ID

21697

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

We are an independent inspectorate led by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. We scrutinise the conditions and treatment of prisoners and other detainees and report on our findings. We help to make sure that detention is humane, safe, respectful and helps to prepare people for release ahead of their return to the community. We do that by carrying out independent inspections of prisons, young offender institutions, secure training centres and courts in England and Wales and places of immigration detention across the UK.

Find out about our expectations for different types of detention.

We publish reports to let people know about our findings and hold the government, and those running places of detention, to account. We also identify and share examples of good practice to support leaders in learning from other, comparable institutions. Our role is to shine a light on what needs to change, but we cannot enforce it. It is up to prison leaders to consider the best way to respond to our concerns and use their resources and expertise to find solutions. HM Prison and Probation Service or the Home Office should work with the establishment to support this progress.

Find out more about our mandate.

About The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, busy communications team working with a Head of Communications and a second Communications Officer. As the team is small, the range of work and experience that you will gain is diverse, including opportunities to work across media, digital (including social media), publications, events, stakeholder engagement and internal communications. The Communications Team is responsible for publishing reports from inspections of places of detention, including prisons, immigration removal centres and young offender institutions in England and Wales. The team is also responsible for managing a programme of strategic communication to enhance the Inspectorate’s reputation and influence on issues relating to the conditions and treatment of detainees. The successful candidate will be expected to take up post in January 2027 but the exact date will depend on the timescales for interviews and security clearance processes.

Responsibilities

To support the implementation and development of the Inspectorate communications strategy, and specifically to:

Media work

• Answer incoming media enquiries, seeking advice in preparing responses as needed.
• Draft and issue media releases, preparing lists for distribution to appropriate outlets.
• Provide support to the Chief Inspector or other spokespeople, preparing briefings on key issues, attending studio interviews with them, organising transport or setting up Zoom interviews as needed and taking note of issues covered.
• Monitoring media coverage, working with the Head of Communications to identify risks and opportunities, and building an understanding of issues to which different outlets and correspondents respond.

Social media and website

• Create and publish content on the Inspectorate’s website, X, Blue Sky, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts, including short videos, simple infographics and other content to bring the Inspectorate’s work to life.
• Work with the other Communications Officer to plan and evaluate our social media activity, including reporting on engagement on different channels.
• Improve our use of web and social media analytics to evaluate our activity and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Working with our research and data team, find ways of presenting data in informative and effective ways, such as through infographics and animations.
• Work with the other Communications Officer, Head of Communications, Chief Inspector and other key staff to produce monthly podcasts, helping to plan episodes, record, edit and publish content, and promote it on social media channels.
• Publish video content to the Inspectorate’s YouTube page.
• Work with the Head of Communications to evaluate user journeys on the Inspectorate’s website, and implement improvements in response to feedback.

Publications

• With the Head of Communications and other Communications Officer, manage a programme of report production from allocating reports to a team of fee-paid editors through to proofreading, editing and helping to coordinate amendments with internal and external colleagues for final sign-off and publication.
• Send documents for translation into Welsh or other languages as required, and write, design and publish Easy Read versions of reports.
• Help to maintain report tracking spreadsheets and manage processes to ensure all reports are published within agreed timescales and meet quality standards, including accessibility checks.

Events and stakeholder engagement

• Support the delivery of events including helping to prepare invitation lists, setting up Eventbrite events and managing invitations and RSVPs and any support delegates need in that process.
• Brief the Chief Inspector or other speakers at events, helping to draft speeches or presentations as needed.
• Work with the policy team to support effective stakeholder engagement including maintaining an up-to-date list of stakeholder contacts.

Internal communications

• Help to manage the Inspectorate’s programme of internal communication, including the intranet and Teams channels.

Other

• Carry out any other reasonable duties as required.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Essential

• Experience in a communications role covering at least one of the core areas of responsibility (media, digital/social media, publications or internal communication)
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing
• Excellent digital communication skills and willingness to learn how to use new tools and software programs such as video and podcast editing
• Excellent organisational skills
• Good analytical skills
• Good editorial and proofreading skills
• Effective interpersonal and team working skills and the ability to work with colleagues at all levels, including senior internal and external stakeholders
• Flexible, organised and adept at managing competing priorities
• Demonstrable commitment to the Inspectorate’s values and purpose

Desirable

• An understanding or interest in human rights, which underpins the Inspectorate’s work
• Knowledge of, or interest in, prisons and wider criminal justice issues
• Experience of communications, in particular media relations

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

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• 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, 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 21697

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

Job Description Attachment

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Application form stage assessments

Behaviours

Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit

250

Seeing the Big Picture

Experience

We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods

CV or Work History

Evidence of Experience

CV or Work History

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates

Expected Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th October

Behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture

Technical

Ideas - Level 2:

• Design and develop engaging, targeted content and messages suitable for use across a range of channels

Insight - Level 2:

• Use insight to identify target audiences and partners, support decision making and help inform the overall communication approach.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the communication objective and how these support the overall policy objective.
• Build audience insight using appropriate tools to monitor content and listen to conversations on key external digital channels, including social media.
• Provide advice on appropriate digital channels to reach target audiences. Research where target audiences are active, including online partnership networks.

Implementation - Level 2:

• Express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, and with sensitivity and respect for others.
• Select appropriate visuals to improve the impact of communication (for example, photography and infographics).
• Monitor plans and provide status updates to ensure communication plans are delivered on time and to budget.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?

Written Exercise

Level of security checks required

Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

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.