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Job summary
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Equality and Diversity – Department for Education
The DfE has a busy change roadmap ahead, and effective communications management is required to support academy trusts, auditors and suppliers through the change journey of academy chart of accounts adoption and data automation.
The Engagement Lead will support the Chart of Accounts and Automation Manager to help implement the programmes communications strategy and plan. They will also work with the Online Forms Managers to deliver joined up communications about the current system and services.
The Engagement Lead will be responsible for the development and delivery of all aspects of communications for the academy online forms, chart of accounts and automation projects and other initiatives that form the academy online financial return priorities. They will develop effective communication plans that meet the needs of varied audiences and ensure colleagues are up to date with important information about transformation progress and priorities.
The Engagement Lead will apply strategic thinking to communications and planning to secure collective buy-in from stakeholders, and to ensure timing aligns well with other communications activities underway in the department. They will work proactively with other online form leads and relevant business stakeholders to provide credible and authoritative communications advice and support, advising on the best messages, methods and channels to reach and influence audiences.
The Engagement Lead will need to establish effective working relationships with colleagues from across corporate services, the cross-departmental experts, and the external suppliers to ensure communications activity and messaging is coordinated and appropriate for a broad range of target audiences.
They will be responsible for managing communications products from inception to completion, including: commissioning content; drafting copy; securing appropriate assurance and sign off; project managing; scheduling; and co-ordinating the execution of activities.
Job description
Key responsibilities include:
- Fostering pro-active engagement across the team, including task management of wider team members, to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to communications.
- Conducting stakeholder analysis and planning to ensure we are communicating with the correct stakeholder groups at the right times.
- Developing communications plans and delivering tactical communications activity, including the production of creative content and associated materials.
- Planning and delivering events, campaigns, and activities to support business objectives and significant project milestones.
- Using insight and analysis to develop and deliver creative communications plans.
- Using excellent drafting skills to produce compelling and high quality written content such as newsletters, articles, stories, and blogs.
- Monitoring the effectiveness of communications activity, helping to identify best practice and ways to help the team continue to improve.
- Updating gov.uk with updates and editing draft guidance from sub-teams.
Desirable experience for this role:
- Experience of the use of gov.uk publication tools and analytical tools
- Previous project and task management experience
- Working with digital financial products/returns
Person specification
- Experience of delivering effective change communications strategies and plans.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrable ability to simplify complex issues accurately while writing inclusively for different audiences and channels.
- Strong organisational and management skills to see projects through from inception to completion.
- The experience and skills to communicate technical information in a simple and engaging way to support the business in preparing for upcoming changes.
- Strong stakeholder management skills to build productive working relationships in a complex organisational environment, with proven ability of expertly managing networks of varied stakeholders.
- Strong planning, organisational and people skills, including delivering communication products to tight deadlines
- The ability to devise creative ideas and develop campaigns resulting in successful impactful outcomes, sometimes with little-to-no budget.
- Experience of working quickly and effectively under pressure and through ambiguity, managing competing priorities and changing deadlines.
- The skills and confidence to provide planning and handling advice to non-communications professionals.
- Drive, energy, and enthusiasm for communications and supporting business change.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Stage
To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide a CV, a 750-word personal statement and an example of how you have demonstrated the “Communicating and Influencing” behaviour.
To confirm, the maximum word count for the personal statement is 750 words. Please adhere to this limit as anything over 750 words will not be taken into account.
Your CV and personal statement will be assessed for experience against the following essential criteria:
- Experience of delivering effective change communications strategies and plans.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrable ability to simplify complex issues accurately while writing inclusively for different audiences and channels.
- Strong organisational and management skills to see projects through from inception to completion.
- The experience and skills to communicate technical information in a simple and engaging way to support the business in preparing for upcoming changes.
- Strong stakeholder management skills to build productive working relationships in a complex organisational environment, with proven ability of expertly managing networks of varied stakeholders.
- Strong planning, organisational and people skills, including delivering communication products to tight deadlines
- The skills and confidence to provide planning and handling advice to non-communications professionals.
An initial sift will be conducted on the behaviour if a large number of applications are received. CV and personal statement will then be assessed for those who pass the initial sift.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Interview Stage
At interview you will be asked questions to assess your experience in line with the essential criteria and behaviour above.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Tom Hart
- Email : Tom.hart@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk
Further information
