The Recruitment and Retention Communications (RRC) team sits within the Ministry of Justice's award‑winning communications team. We pride ourselves on having an excellent and supportive culture, a focus on innovation and a commitment to making a difference to people's lives.
About the role
We are looking for a passionate external communications professional to join the Resourcing Communications team. The role will generate extensive and creative press coverage to reach national and local audiences and tell the stories of the work being done in prisons, probation and the wider justice system. You will help increase the number of applicants for justice system roles and give our staff the recognition they deserve.
Key responsibilities
* Plan, create and place positive, creative, national, consumer and regional press stories that raise awareness of justice roles and the achievements of prison, probation and court staff.
* Build relationships with key prisons, probation offices and local media outlets; visit staff in the South‑East region and develop stories that inform the public and boost staff morale.
* Work closely with digital, marketing and the Ministry of Justice Press Office to promote staff on both national (print, broadcast, online) and local platforms.
* Ensure all work is executed to brilliant standards, continuously improved, and evaluated for impact and effectiveness.
* Develop strong internal and external networks, engaging senior stakeholders such as policy teams, prison governors and Heads of Probation Delivery Units to secure media coverage.
* Travel to prisons, probation offices, courts and media outlets; a full driving licence and own car are required. Mileage will be paid as expenses.
Person specification
* Expertise in delivering creative press/PR and external communications.
* Strong judgement to identify and manage reputational risks.
* Insight‑driven – use audience research and evaluation metrics to shape and measure campaigns.
* Excellent collaboration skills; able to build productive relationships with internal and external partners.
* Proactive, solution‑focused, self‑motivated and innovative – able to drive activity forward and generate fresh ideas.
* Resilient and flexible, able to overcome challenges and find solutions to barriers.
* Willingness to travel and visit prisons and probation offices in the South‑East region.
Behaviours
* Communicating and Influencing – communicate with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm.
* Working together – form effective partnerships with people from diverse backgrounds.
* Changing and improving – seek opportunities for effective change and suggest innovative ideas.
* Implementation, Impact and Ideas – deliver communications plans efficiently, analyse outcomes and develop proactive strategies.
How to apply
Use the Success Profiles system to submit your CV and a personal statement (max 1000 words). Your statement should demonstrate why you are interested in the role and how your experience meets the requirements, making reference to the Civil Service behaviours above.
Security & Nationality
Applicants must undergo a criminal record check and meet the Ministry of Justice security requirements. The role is open to UK nationals, Irish nationals, Commonwealth citizens with the right to work in the UK, EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic, Liechtenstein nationals (and their settled or pre‑settled family members), Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.
Benefits
* Access to learning and development programmes.
* Flexible working options to support work‑life balance.
* Inclusion and diversity culture.
* Civil Service pension scheme (average employer contribution of 27–28.97%).
* Annual leave and public holidays.
* Season ticket advance.
Additional information
For more details about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances, please visit the Candidate Information Page: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
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