Details Reference number 402242 Salary £34,140 - £37,105 A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP Job grade Higher Executive Officer MoJ Grade HEO Contract type Fixed term Loan Length of employment For a period Up to 2 years Type of role Communications / Marketing Working pattern Flexible working, Full-time Number of jobs available 1 Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location This position is based at MOJ NIO Erskine House, BT1 4GF About the job Job summary Please refer to Job Description Job description About the Role : Are you a creative and confident communicator with a talent for storytelling and a passion for digital content? Were looking for a Digital Communications Manager to join the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Communications Team, representing the work of the UK Government in Northern Ireland across high-profile digital channels. In this exciting role, youll lead the creation of engaging digital content that supports our communications strategy and showcases the work of NIO Ministers and wider government activity. From social media campaigns to key government announcements, youll help bring policy to life through compelling stories and powerful visuals. Youll thrive in a fast-paced environment and be comfortable juggling priorities, working with senior stakeholders, and turning complex information into clear, engaging content. Were looking for someone who: Is a confident, audience-focused communicator with strong news or communications experience. Has a sharp eye for what makes a great story and can shape it for digital platforms. Can think strategically and deliver high-quality content aligned with government messaging. Youll be responsible for managing day-to-day content across our digital channels, with a focus on priority communications such as Ministerial visits, key policy moments, and public-facing campaigns. Your work will help shape public understanding of government activity in Northern Ireland. To succeed in this role, youll need: Extensive experience in both photography and videography for high-profile campaigns. Proficiency in editing photos and video post-production. The ability to create a range of digital assets using tools such as graphic design software or online platforms. Duties and Responsibilities: As Digital Communications Manager, youll play a key role in shaping how the Northern Ireland Office connects with the public and stakeholders across digital platforms. Your main responsibilities will include (and not limited to): Planning and delivering a weekly programme of digital content that brings NIO policies, Ministerial visits, and key announcements to lifealigned with wider government communications strategies. Creating engaging, audience-focused content across digital platforms, including and social media channels. Managing and growing the NIOs social media presence on platforms such as LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagramadapting messages to suit different audiences and platforms. Producing high-quality digital assets, including filming, editing and publishing video and photography content, while ensuring accessibility and editorial standards are met. Building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including Ministers, to advise on and pitch effective digital communication strategies. Responding swiftly to fast-moving news events, drafting digital content in collaboration with news desk colleagues to address emerging stories in real time. Tracking performance and analysing results from social media platforms, using insights to fine-tune digital activity and drive continuous improvement. Collaborating with No. 10s New Media Unit, aligning messaging and sharing best practice across government. Working closely with partners across Whitehall, including the Government Communication Service (GCS), to maintain a joined-up communications approach across departments Essential Criteria: The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview: Experience working in a news or communications environment Experience working in a large organisation to deliver digital content strategies Experience planning and creating digital content at pace and measuring the impact of its success Desirable Criteria: A strong understanding of the political and cultural landscape of Northern Ireland Experience in developing and implementing graphics for social media as well as capturing and editing video content to high standard, using Adobe suite Active security clearance at CTC level Behaviours: We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours at the HEO level during the application sift and interview process : Communicating and Influencing (lead behaviour) Seeing the Big Picture 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 communicating and influencing 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 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. If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in. 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 ( The vetting charter - 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 CTC and to be eligible to apply for this role you should have been resident in the UK continuously for the past 3 years Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post. Further Information: Further information about the post may be obtained from Alison Shields via email to. 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 Commissions Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. Please contact SSCL () 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: 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 to be removed from the reserve list. 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 NIOs Flexible Working policy. Interview dates Date(s) TBC Closing Date: 2nd May 2025, 23:55 hours. Contact information If you require any assistance please call (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Person specification Please refer to Job Description Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Delivering at Pace Working Together Benefits Alongside your salary of £34,140, Northern Ireland Office contributes £9,890 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 with an employer contribution of 28.97% Annual Leave Public Holidays Season Ticket Advance For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check. See our vetting charter. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements 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) 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 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. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and 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. Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team Email : Telephone : Recruitment team Email : Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL () in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and 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: