Job Introduction
Could you thrive in a fast-paced environment and act calm under pressure, while providing expert communications advice to senior colleagues? Do you have a proven track record of dealing with high-profile matters that make news headlines? As a Media Officer you will lead the communications response on a wide range of matters, while driving our organisational objectives, in an exciting and challenging role where no two days are the same.
If this sounds like you, please apply without delay.
As a Media Officer, you will be welcomed into a dynamic and inclusive Communications and Media team dealing 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.
Reporting into the Senior Media Officer, no day will be the same and you will geographically cover London and SE regions. You will be 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.
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. This currently entails monitoring the media inbox 1 week (including weekends) out of 7/8 weeks. Please kindly note that the frequency may change. You are entitled to a financial reward for this.
We'll assess you against these Level 2 behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a quality service
- Communicating and influencing
- This vacancy is using Success Profiles, to find out more, please click here.
Throughout the recruitment process we will assess your Experience, Strengths, Technical skills and Values. We will explian what behaviours will be assessed throughtout each stage. As part of the application process you will be asked to complete three sift questions based on the essential criteria.
Anticipated assessment and interview dates are April 2024.
Main Responsibility
- 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 arrange interviews, press conferences and briefings, often at short notice
- To write and implement media handling plans for the publication of IOPC investigation and corporate reports.
- To liaise with Stakeholder Engagement colleagues to develop and implement communications and engagement plans for controversial or significant issues as outlined in our communications and engagement strategy.
- To provide a media relations service on investigations and corporate issues, working closely with senior managers and other colleagues to support our work, including on national policy areas such as firearms, custody, stop and search.
- 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
The Ideal Candidate
Essential Experience:
- Considerable experience in media relations, including dealing, on a regular basis, with controversial issues and crisis management or commensurate experience as a journalist
- High level understanding of national and local media and their priorities
- Experience of working in a busy press office or news room
- Experience of being able to handle emotionally sensitive subjects within a press context
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and writing skills
- Proven ability to translate complex issues into clear, simple narratives
- Experience providing robust and appropriate advice to senior managers
- Good knowledge of current affairs
The post holder will be security cleared to at least BPSS level and the post is politically restricted.
National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Reasonable Adjustments
- Extra time for presentations or interview questions
- Formatting changes such as colours for text or background on written assignments
- Questions presented in writing during interviews
If you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process, please email campaigns@policeconduct.gov.uk
Package Description
- 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
- Options to carry over, buy or sell annual leave
- 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 focused on each of the protected characteristics – run for staff, by staff:
- Enable Network
- Welsh Network
- Pride and LGBTQI+ 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 behaviours
Additional Information:
The IOPC is not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process, therefore successful candidates will not be able to transfer to the IOPC on their existing terms and conditions.
The IOPC does not participate in the UK Visa Sponsorship Scheme therefore, candidates will have to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK if offered a role with us.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, therefore a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out for the successful candidate during the pre-employment process.
Emotional Consideration:
In performing this role, you may have occassional exposure to distressing material which will likely be impactful, traumatic and challenging. Given the nature of the work, it is also possible that you will have contact with individuals who are experiencing extreme distress. The IOPC recognises this and offers all staff a range of wellbeing provisions, including TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) peer-to-peer support, a dedicated Wellbeing Advisor, and access to free confidential counselling. All staff are strongly encouraged to proactively access and engage with the support available. If you would like to speak about this element of the role with somebody already doing similar work at the IOPC, please contact humanresources@policeconduct.gov.uk and this can be arranged.
Rydym yn croesawu ymgeiswyr i ymgeisio am rolau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg fel eu dewis iaith.
About the Company
As a completely independent organisation, the IOPC seeks to uphold the rights of the public and investigate the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, to promote learning and influence change in policing. The IOPC is an organisation steeped in history, influenced by significant figures such as Stephen Lawrence and Sir William Macpherson. We are looking for people to uphold our core values, and in return we will give you a supportive and inclusive work environment to flourish in.
Be yourself
The IOPC is committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity in everything we do. Our vision is to be, and to be seen as, a leader in inclusive employment and services, demonstrating this ethos in everything that we do.
- As a silver standard Stonewall employer, we continue to commit to being a LGBTQ+ employer through the work of our Pride LGBTQ+ Staff Network, creating welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bi and queer people.
- We are pleased to share that we are a signatory of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. The Charter is composed of five calls to action for leaders and organisations across all sectors.
- Being a Disability Confident employer, the IOPC is dedicated to removing the barriers for disabled people to thrive in the workplace.
- Our Staff Networks are constantly working to make the IOPC the leaders of inclusive employment, from our Allyship Programme to Welsh Language Standards and our Know the Line Policy, we are constantly seeking new ways to create an environment for all to develop and thrive.
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