Independent Office for Police Conduct
Media Officer -
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Canary Wharf or Croydon
Job Summary
The post holder reports to a Senior Media Officer for the London and South East region and is responsible for providing advice on media and communications to IOPC senior managers and staff, implementing both proactive and reactive media plans. The post holder will be security cleared to at least BS level and the post is politically restricted.
The media deals with a number of high profile cases which often make the headlines so the environment can be fast paced and requires a quick-thinking, problem-solving approach. You will have direct and frequent contact with operational, policy, stakeholder engagement teams and senior management, and with the media and various police force press offices. You will take part in the out-of-hours duty press officer rota.
To be successful in this role, you will be confident in turning complex information into clear content that resonates with diverse audiences. You’ll be responsible for developing innovative communication plans across multiple platforms, working creatively with colleagues on digital and social media channels to reach different audiences. You’ll be working collaboratively with colleagues across the Communications and Stakeholder Engagement team.
Job Description
- To provide a high quality proactive and reactive media relations service on IOPC investigations, including writing and distributing press releases, monitoring national and specialist media, taking the initiative to rebut inaccuracies and leading on relevant statements and briefings
- To actively seek out proactive opportunities which help explain what we do, promote our work and enhance our reputation
- To arrange interviews and provide briefings to senior managers, often at short notice
- To write and implement media handling plans for the publication of IOPC investigations, corporate reports and national policy areas, working closely with senior managers
- To liaise with Stakeholder Engagement colleagues to develop and implement integrated communications and engagement plans for controversial or significant issues
- To contribute to the strategic diary and forward planning for the communications team
- To be a committed member of the national media team and support colleagues working in other regions
- To liaise with colleagues across regions and nationally to ensure accurate, consistent and coordinated messages are disseminated to IOPC staff, stakeholders and to the public
- To contribute to the IOPC’s social media strategy by making day to day use of social media platforms to engage new and existing audiences
- To take part in the national out-of-hours duty press office rota
- To undertake any other duties as may be assigned from time to time commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the post.
Please refer to the Job Description for full role responsibilities.
Person specification
- Experience in media relations in a busy press office, including dealing, on a regular basis, with controversial issues and crisis management or experience as a journalist in a busy newsroom
- High level understanding of national and local media and their priorities, including online news and social media platforms
- Experience of being able to handle emotionally sensitive subjects within a press context
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and writing skills
- Experience in creating content across digital channels
- Proven ability to translate complex issues into clear, simple narratives
- Experience providing robust and appropriate advice to senior managers
- Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including journalists.
- Ability to work as part of a team, contributing to shared goals, supporting colleagues and fostering a positive team environment
- Strong customer and audience focus
- Strong communication skills – both written and oral
- Good negotiation and influencing skills
- Positive attitude and flexibility of approach
- Good knowledge of current affairs
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Benefits
Alongside your salary of £41,878, Independent Office for Police Conduct contributes £12,132 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
- The option to buy, sell, or carry over annual leave is reviewed each year and offered when possible
- Voluntary Health Cash Plan provided by BHSF
- Civil Service pension
- Civil Service maternity leave package
- PAM employee assistance programme
- Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
- Cycle to work scheme
- Opportunity to enjoy the latest home and electronics in a more affordable way provided by Vivup
- Car Leasing Scheme
- Staff Networks focussed on each of the protected characteristics - run for staff, by staff: Enable Network, Age Network, Welsh Network, Pride and LGBTQ+ Network, Sex and Family Network, Race, Religion and Belief Network
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
Application Process
You will need to upload a CV to your profile. This should be a maximum of 3 pages and should not include your name or personal details anywhere in the document or its title.
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We'll assess you against Experience and the following Behaviours at Senior Executive Officer (SEO) level:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, to find out more, please click here.
If you are shortlisted for interview, further details will be provided regarding the assessment process.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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 (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in a new window).
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: recruitment@policeconduct.gov.uk
Email: recruitment@policeconduct.gov.uk
Recruitment team
Email: recruitment@policeconduct.gov.uk
Further information
https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/
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