Assistant Press Officer in London

The Welsh Government Communications Service supports Ministers in delivering effective public sector communications. The service informs the public of legislation and policies that affect them and delivers responsive and informative communications 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The press office is a busy and interesting place to work, handling many media enquiries while also developing proactive, creative opportunities to promote the Government's agenda.

As assistant press officer, you will work with your team to communicate important and high‐profile issues facing Wales today, produce digital content, engage with media and develop exciting press plans, support senior officials, monitor media activity, sell stories to editors, respond to breaking news, and, after 6–12 months, take part on the out‐of‐hours duty rota with overtime paid.

• Work as part of a team to provide ministers with press and media relations advice and support.
• Draft press releases, reactive statements and digital content to communicate Government policies.
• Alongside your press office team, meet with Ministers, Special Advisers and senior officials to plan media activity and handling.
• Contribute to the development of communications plans to support key announcements or issues.
• Provide regular evaluation of media activity for Ministers and officials.
• Accompany Ministers on engagements, advising on media arrangements, organising and managing interviews, and capturing social media content.
• Maintain strong links with UK, Welsh, regional and specialist media.
• Establish and maintain good working relations with a range of individuals and organisations including Ministers, special advisers, policy colleagues, external agencies, stakeholders and contractors.
• Adhere to high professional standards, including good writing skills.
• Keep abreast of developments in the communications landscape.
• Provide general administrative support to your wider press team, including coordinating requests for translations.
• Take part in the evening and weekend press office duty rota as required.

Press Office is a fast‐paced environment where there will be opportunities to progress.

• Communicating and influencing – Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money.
• Delivering at pace – Regularly check performance against objectives, making suggestions for improvement or taking corrective action where necessary.
• Making effective decisions – Take responsibility for making effective and fair decisions, in a timely manner.
• Seeing the big picture – Understand how your work and the work of your team supports wider objectives and meets the diverse needs of stakeholders.

Ability to draft clear and concise written work.

• 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)
• 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

• Civil Service Pension Scheme
• 31 days annual leave (pro‐rated for part time)
• Training and development opportunities
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Smart Working flexible working arrangement
• Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)