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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
Forestry England manages beautiful, diverse, and productive, publicly owned woods and forests. With 1,500 forests and over 250,000 hectares, we are the largest single land manager in England. We aim to connect everyone with the nations forests, caring for them to enable everyone to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and business to grow.
Nationally we have over 1,000 dedicated members of staff and 1,900 loyal volunteers looking after more land and more trees than any other organisation in England. There is a wealth of expertise and experience, coupled with a love for forests and wildlife that makes us a world leader in forest management.
Our South District team employs around 170 members of staff in teams including Land Management and Forestry, Recreation and Public Affairs, Planning and Environment, Estates and Land Agency, Civil Engineering, Communications and Marketing, and Business Support and Finance.
We have a fantastic opportunity for an Internal Engagement Officer to join our local Communications Team for 12 months. If you have a passion for internal communications and are looking for the right opportunity this role may just be for you.
You’ll be a firm believer in the power of involving employees with ideas to make that happen. You’ll know the right communications channel to get our messages out, and the best ways to encourage conversations and hear people’s views. You’ll be comfortable working alongside and writing for senior leaders and keeping the programme focused on what different audiences need to know.
Please note this role is based at South Forest District Office in Lyndhurst, Hampshire three days a week, with opportunity to work from home on other days via a blended working contract. Regular travel across southern England is required.
Job description
Reporting to the South Forest Districts Senior Marketing and Communications Manager, you will support the delivery of an internal communications plan that helps Forestry England achieve its objectives and purpose, by building a culture of inclusion, trust and engagement.
You will work closely with other members of our local team and colleagues in the national office to ensure a consistent approach to internal communications, engagement and wellbeing. Its a busy and varied role, from supporting our internal events to creating content that helps colleagues feel connected to the organisation.
Main responsibilities:
- Deliver the overarching strategy to improve internal communications and collaboration in the District and encourage engagement of staff.
- Using and maintaining a range of tools and channels that are fit for a hybrid and disparate workforce, taking into consideration blended working practices.
- Play a key role in delivery of staff events both virtual and face to face.
- Supporting the overall effort of the local Marketing and Communications team to communicate Forestry Englands values and culture.
- Deliver communications with consistency in tone and style, which build an atmosphere of mutual striving towards a common goal and encourage open dialogue.
- Be the point of contact between National and District teams in relation to internal communication initiatives, providing feedback, suggestions and seek ways to better engage local staff with national messaging/briefings.
- Support colleagues across the wider team to improve their communications skills.
Person specification
Skills and experience you need:
Essential
- Strong writing and proof-reading skills.
- Experience and good knowledge in Office 365 tools including MS Teams, SharePoint and One Drive.
- Experience of delivering internal communications content on different channels.
- Experience of promoting a corporate brand and conveying a professional image.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to build relationships across the organisation, communicate regularly with key individuals and with all levels.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organisation skills and be able to work to deadlines and handle multiple projects.
Desirable:
- Drawing conclusions from complex information.
- Passion for inclusion.
- Able to understand and promote sensitive issues in the most appropriate and engaging way.
- Able to work with colleagues to identify stories that support the organisations objectives.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£7,529 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance.
25 days holiday pa with an extra days holiday entitlement each year over the first 5 years up to a maximum of 30 days per year, plus bank holidays and 2.5 extra days leave. (all pro-rata)
3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation). (pro-rata)
Access to technical and personal development training and qualifications that are tailored to your role.
5 days dedicated to your self-driven development each year. (pro-rata)
Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning.
Reimbursement of any professional membership fees.
Employee benefits that include (but are not limited to) the Cycle to Work scheme, free high-street and online discounts and offers through STaR, and the opportunity to join the Civil Services Sports Council.
The brilliant Civil Service Pensions scheme.
Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives free, confidential and independent support – whether it is personal or work-related.
Free eyesight tests and £100 voucher for glasses for visual display usage.
Pay advances of up to £5,000 for computers, sports equipment, or training costs.
Free parking at all Forestry Commission sites (including Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Forest) and free entry into our National Arboretum in Westonbirt.
Up to 15% discount at Forest Live Events, Forest Holidays cabins, and Go Ape outdoor activity centres.
Numerous retail discounts including 10% off at Forestry Commission shops and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This is a Temporary Appointment for 12 months with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.
To apply for this post please submit the following:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years;
- A Personal Statement (1000 words maximum) explaining why you want this role and how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using only the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview:
The interview will include behaviour-based questions, where we will be asking for evidence from your previous roles.
Sift date – week commencing 21/08/23.
Interview date – week commencing 04/09/23, these dates may be subject to change.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Nick Whittle
- Email : Nick.Whittle@forestryengland.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
