Ministry of Justice UK
Communications Officer (Ref: 19632)
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Communications Officer (Ref: 19632)
Communications Professional – Judicial Communications Team
Location
Based at CTS, Royal Courts of Justice, WC2A 2LL
About the Role
Key Responsibilities
The Judicial Communications team is seeking an experienced communications professional to join a multidisciplinary team based at the Royal Courts of Justice.
- The role sits independently of the Ministry of Justice but reports to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ) and Senior President of Tribunals.
- Part of the Government Communications Service (GCS) network, offering access to additional professional support and expertise.
For Civil Service candidates: this position is available on level transfer or promotion.
The Judicial Office
- Established in 2006 under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
- Acts as a trusted support arm for the judiciary in England and Wales, responsible for:
- Upholding the rule of law.
- Ensuring justice is delivered impartially, speedily and efficiently.
- Collaborating with:
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
- Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
- Legal professions and government stakeholders
- An Arm’s Length Body funded by the Ministry of Justice.
- Recent organisation growth reflects expansion of responsibilities.
Watch JO staff talk about working here: 🔗 embed video link
Background Context
The role focuses on Magistrates Uplift, a priority programme addressing:
- A critical shortage of magistrates; 95% of criminal cases start and end in magistrates’ courts.
- Goal: Increase magistrate numbers by 50%, from 13,000 to 21,000 by 2028/29.
- Overseen by Ministers and the Judiciary, the programme brings together:
- Judiciary
- Ministry of Justice
- HMCTS
- Magistrate networks
- Legal associations
The Job
Reporting Structure
- Direct reports to: Senior Communications Manager
Primary Focus Areas
- Spearfhead high-profile communications on:
- Magistrate recruitment/retention (internal and external).
- Implementation of proposals from Sir Brian Leveson’s Criminal Courts Review.
- Maintains key judiciary communications channels, including:
- judiciary.uk
- Dedicated magistrates recruitment website (targeted at the general public).
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Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications
- Identify opportunities and deliver impactful campaign initiatives across:
- Internal judicial networks.
- External audiences (public, legal professionals).
Content Creation
- Produce and edit written and filmed content for internal/investigator communications.
Website/Web Portal Management
- Monitor and update judicial intranet/judiciary.uk, ensuring relevance for:
- Multi-level audiences (Judges, magistrates, high courts).
Collaborative Coordination
- Partner with:
- Press office
- Ministry of Justice (responsible for magistrate recruitment efforts).
- Wider Judicial Office teams.
- HMCTS.
- Coordinate communications alignment with jurisdictional changes (Courts & Tribunals Bill updates, subsequent legislation).
Creative Campaigns
- Develop and deploy innovative campaigns, including targeted content ideas.
- Engage external design agencies/specialist suppliers for creative projects where needed.
Analysis and Insights
- Evaluate communications impact using KPIs and feedback.
- Apply findings to shape future engagement strategies.
Development Support
- Contribute cross-functionally to support peers and other team members’ projects.
Out-of-Hours Social Media
- Potential to participate: additional allowance paid where social media rapid-response turnover is required.
Required Behaviours
This vacancy assesses candidates against Success Profiles focused on:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Person Specification
** desirable Qualifications**
Please refer to Job Description for full skills/demand requirements.
Core Assessment Areas
(Mirroring the performance behaviours detailed above)
Benefits
- Salary: £40,014
- Pension: MoJ contributes £11,592/year to Civil Service Pension scheme.
- Further details: Civil Service Pension info
- Training & Development: Access to career progression programs.
- Flexible Working: Strong commitment to employee work/life balance.
- Civil Service Pension Scheme: 28.97% government contribution.
- Holidays: 30+ days annual leave + public holidays.
- Delivered Benefits: Annual Travel Subsidy (Season Ticket Loan).
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For full benefit breakdown: Candidate Information
Security Clearance Requirements
Successful candidates undergo:
- Criminal record check.
- Counter-Terrorist Security Vetting (for government/Royal Courts access).
- Includes: Need-to-know/subject access.
- Mandatory Gov-UK Personnel Standards.
Eligibility Details
Nationality Standards
Open to:
- UK/EU/Swiss residents.
- Commonwealth nationals with UK work rights.
- EUSS formalised applicants: Pre-settled/settled, or early eligibility applicants.
- Veterans and prison-leaver initiatives supported.
Other: see Civil Service Nationality Guide
Application & Selection
Process Overview
-
Two-stage application: behaviours/experience/past strengths alignment.
-
Selection: Success Profile assessment + interview/assessment phase.
-
Selection process: Justice Jobs Taliant CMS
-
Support for candidates: Civil Service Behaviour Signposts Guide.
Policy & Complaints Channels
-
Allegations of compliance violations:
- Properly clarify: Directions to SSCL · enquiries route
- Civil Service Commission
-
Job saved for your records: site locks upon closure.
AnyFurther Queries to:
- SSCL Recruitment Enquiries
- Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
- Phone +44 345 241 5359
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