At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and manage engaging internal communications to keep everyone informed and connected.
- Company: Join the HM Prison & Probation Service, committed to diversity and public safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and a strong pension contribution.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by enhancing communication and supporting public safety initiatives.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and proficiency in MS Word and Excel required.
The predicted salary is between 34440 - 34440 £ per year.
Working within the Business Hub Function, reporting to the Business Hub Manager, the Communications Officer ensures that all content is published on time and of good quality. They are responsible for all internal communications and for liaising with functions to produce innovative communication solutions. The role supports HMPPS's strategic objective of protecting the public and reducing reoffending by:
- Giving staff the information they need to complete their roles to a high standard.
- Helping other stakeholders feel confident in the establishment's ability to achieve its objectives and to be advocates for the Agency.
- Creating a strong brand.
The post holder also promotes HMPPS behaviours such as diversity, decency, safety and re-offending reduction agendas, and creates a cohesive communications platform by liaising with functional heads and central teams, maintaining distribution lists, ensuring consistent messaging across the establishment, and building our external presence.
The Communications Officer works within the Business Hub, collaborates with the Head of Business Assurance and Business Hub Managers, and regularly communicates with Heads of Functions across the establishment. This is a non-operational, rotational role with no line management responsibilities.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
- Publishing: Publisher for intranet and other internal message boards, including in-cell TVs and internal newsletter publications. Upload content to the intranet as part of the Business Hub. Ensure quality of links, images and metadata through regular monitoring, identify issues and implement fixes. Ensure all content is consistent with online guidelines. Develop working knowledge of all online content management systems used in HMPPS.
- Channel and Content Management: Regularly collate and distribute messages from the Senior Management Team, working with colleagues within the Business Hub. Set templates and support the Business Hub in delivering standard newsletters (e.g., NPS and CRC News), including writing and proofing.
- Generic Production: Provide basic design, typesetting and proofing services for the team. Support production of communications products and materials as required. Assist in product development on behalf of Functional Heads and support the Business Hub Manager. Support the delivery of multimedia projects from concept to final delivery (e.g., community communications and portals, social media). Ensure government and industry online guidelines are adhered to across all communications. Use systems to evaluate and maximise prison online coverage (internet search results, monitoring of external sites), reporting particular issues to the planning, research and evaluation manager. Maintain own professional knowledge and keep abreast of emerging trends.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Ability to deal effectively and assertively with staff at all levels.
- Proficiency in MS Word and MS Excel.
- Information collation and analysis skills.
- Ability to communicate and influence across all levels of the organisation.
- Understanding of UK and EU workforce legislation and nationality requirements.
Job holders must complete specific training in their administrative specialism upon starting. When transferring to a Young Persons establishment, a suitability assessment is required. Working hours are 37 hours per week.
Behaviours
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
- Salary of £34,440, with the HM Prison & Probation Service contributing £9,977 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- Access to learning and development.
- Flexible working options to support work‑life balance.
- An inclusive working culture encouraging diversity.
- Annual leave.
- Public holidays.
- Season ticket advance.
- Employer contribution of 28.97% to pension scheme.
Equal Opportunities
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants at risk of redundancy who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Communications Officer employer: Hmp Channings Wood
As a Communications Officer within the Business Hub at HMPPS, you will thrive in an inclusive and supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With flexible working options, a competitive salary, and a generous pension contribution, HMPPS is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and collaboration, ensuring that all staff have the resources they need to excel in their roles while contributing to the vital mission of public safety and rehabilitation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Officer
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We think you need these skills to ace Communications Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Hmp Channings Wood. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Hmp Channings Wood.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hmp Channings Wood
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
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Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
