Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Senior External Communications Advisor
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Closing date: 23 August 2026
Interview dates: w/c 07 September (in person)
12-month FTC
£52,286 per annum
About us
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is a modern, vibrant organisation full of passionate, committed people. We make final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by UK Government departments and the NHS in England. We work closely with people to understand where, how and why public services sometimes fall short and fail to put people first. And we find ways to put it right.
Based in the centre of Manchester and Westminster, we employ over 600 individuals, collaboratively working together to make voices heard. We have created a diverse and inclusive culture, whilst offering flexibility to give you the autonomy to work in the best way suited to you.
The role
This is an important role in how the organisation explains its work to the outside world. You will work closely with senior leaders, helping them prepare for media activity and making sure complex issues are communicated clearly and confidently.
You will manage relationships with journalists and stakeholders, handle media enquiries, and spot opportunities to raise the organisation’s profile. Alongside this, you will create clear, accurate content across a range of channels, from briefings and reports to web and social media.
The role also involves leading high-profile projects and events, often working independently and managing priorities across several areas. You will use insight and data to shape messages, support decision-making, and continually improve how communications are delivered.
What we are looking for
- an excellent communicator with sound judgement and a proactive approach.
- confidence building relationships, providing trusted advice and translating complex information into clear, engaging communications.
- ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing priorities while maintaining high standards
- ability to deliver positive outcomes, influence stakeholders and manage challenging or high-profile communications.
We recognise the value of lived experience. If you have experience of complaining about any public body, we strongly encourage you to apply.
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Our benefits
- Civil Service Pension scheme
- 32.5 days annual leave (plus bank holidays on top)
- hybrid working, 40% office based
- flexible working
- access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 advice and support from professionals and counsellors
- comprehensive learning and development programme
- employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers
- bicycle loan scheme
- season ticket loan
- gym membership subsidy
- paid for professional memberships
- eye test reimbursement.
How to apply (and how to do well)
You will answer four scored questions at application stage. We use these to shortlist and longlist, so your answers matter.
- choose real examples (from professional settings)
- focus on what you did, not what you did as a group
- explain your thinking: what you looked at, what you decided, and why
- keep it clear and specific, avoid generic statements
Please do not use AI to write your answers. We need to assess your skills, and applications may be rejected if answers appear AI-generated.
If your examples are very short, mostly opinion-based, or don’t describe a specific situation and outcome, you are unlikely to score well.
Inclusion & Wellbeing
Equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are vital to the way we work and our culture. We want our colleagues to feel included, valued, and supported at work. It is essential that we are representative and accessible for the people who work here and those who use our service.
Actions we take to embed this include:
- an anonymised shortlisting process to make sure it is fair and unbiased
- monitoring the demographic trends in our workforce and making measured, sustained efforts to improve our diversity at all levels
- providing wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development for all colleagues
- creating spaces for connection and engagement through our employee network groups and social clubs
- part of the disability confident scheme
- providing reasonable adjustments
- engaging in regular inclusion learning to enhance the cultural competency of our organisation.
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We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are:
- Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background
- disabled
- LGBTQ
Contact and important information
If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Laura Hunter, Head of External Communication and Public Affairs, laura.hunter@ombudsman.org.uk
- Interviews: held onsite
- Feedback: we do not offer feedback at application stage
- Right to work: we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK.
- Sponsorship: we are unable to offer sponsorship (we do not have a licence).
- Applications: we do not accept CVs—please apply via the application form (‘apply now’).
- Agencies: no agencies; applications from individuals only.
- Early closure: we may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.
- Salary: non negotiable
Important notice: fraudulent job postings
We have been made aware that some websites are falsely advertising job vacancies for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). We only advertise job vacancies through these official channels:
- our website
- Civil Service Jobs
- GOV.uk
- Indeed
- Ombudsman association
- BMEjobs.co.uk
- Disabilityjob.co.uk
- Neurodiversityjobs.co.uk
- LGBTjobs.co.uk
Do not share personal details with any other websites claiming to represent PHSO. Contact our recruitment team to report any concerns at recruitment@ombudsman.org.uk
We are changing our name
We are changing our name. Later this year we will become the Public Service Ombudsman. This will make it easier for people to find us and understand what we do. The service we provide will remain the same. Visit our website to find out more.
If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@ombudsman.org.uk.
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