Job description BACKGROUND The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure that Northern Ireland interests are represented within the UK Government and that UK government responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland. We are the centre of expertise on Northern Ireland issues across Government. The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London. As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project-based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives. Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment. Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and include: Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, where terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities Ensuring that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public service. Addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland For more information about what we do:Visit: ABOUT THE ROLE: Working in the Northern Ireland Office communications team is an exciting, inspiring opportunity that will challenge and develop you as a professional communicator. You will be operating at the very heart of government, producing and editing communications on strategically important topics. As a Communications Officer at the NIO, youll help create and manage government communications that inform the public about important policies and services. Your work might involve writing clear content for websites, social media and publications, or working with journalists and handling media enquiries. Youll also create communications for staff and help plan and deliver campaigns that reach people across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. In this role, youll learn to use data to understand how well our communications are working and build relationships with important partners and organisations. Well help you develop skills across different areas of communications, including digital and social media, press and media relations, marketing campaigns and internal communications. You dont need previous government experience for this role. Were looking for a confident writer who can explain things clearly and is comfortable using digital tools and social media. You should be interested in how the government communicates with the public and colleagues and enjoy working in a fast-moving environment where priorities can change quickly. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to: Help create and deliver multi-channel communications plans across media, stakeholders and multiple channels, to build awareness and influence behaviours Take a lead role in evaluating the effectiveness of our communications, using insights and data to continually enhance how we engage with our targeted audience and apply any findings to shape future strategies Provide expert communication advice and support to senior leaders Work with teams to create accurate and engaging content news articles, blogs and social media content such as graphics, videos, and imagery. Use social media and other digital platforms to keep track of relevant news and discussions, report on important updates and help prepare responses when we need to correct misinformation Assist in the planning and delivery of virtual and face-to-face events this may include conferences and all staff calls Contribute to audience insights and use data driven decision making to inform communication strategies. With the support of an experienced network of peers and a strong focus on professional development, you will develop skills in line with these areas. Essential Criteria: Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to write clearly and present effectively Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines Understanding of digital and social media platforms Experience in developing communication plans across multiple channels Able to work effectively in fast paced environments while maintaining calm under pressure Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships at all levels Ability to analyse complex information and create clear, audience appropriate messaging Basic data literacy and ability to interpret communication metrics Desirable Skills & Experience Understanding of news, current affairs and reputation management Ability to understand how audience insight and evaluation can inform communication Ability to demonstrate creative capabilities and willingness to learn new skills BEHAVIOURS: We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours during the application sift and interview process : Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Working Together 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. More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found here. EXPERIENCE: Please provide a CV and statement of suitability no longer than 750\ words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Both will be used in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role. Your statement of suitability needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets the requirements set out above. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. One narrative example may cover the requirements needed. You dont have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why. What you can do, the skills you have that are transferable and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role. If you dont have work-based examples then give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in. You will also be asked to complete a CV, previous skills and full employment history. Your CV will not be formally assessed so please put the main evidence of your skills into your personal statement. Your CV will be used to add context to your personal statement. Please ensure you do not include any personal information as our recruitment process is anonymous. 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 Seeing the Bigger Picture. 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: Or 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 present in the UK continuously for the past 5 years. Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 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. Further Information: Further information about the post may be obtained from ?? 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. Additional Information Working Arrangements & Further Information The NIO 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 NIO 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 everyones circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. 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. Benefits: 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 Civil Service pension 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after five years service. Public Holidays Season Ticket Advance