General Information

Salary £33,275 Working Pattern Full Time Vacancy Approach External Location Preston Region North West Closing Date 03-Oct-2025 Business Unit Preston Post Type Permanent Civil Service Grade EO Number of jobs available 1 Job ID 10107

Descriptions & Requirements

Job description Overview of the job

Working within the Business Hub Function, reporting to the Business Hub Manager, the Communications Officer ensures that all content is published on time and of good quality. They are responsible for all internal communications and for liaising with functions to produce innovative communication solutions.
Summary

Activities:
HMPPS Communications provide a cost effective and efficient communications service that helps achieve the establishment strategic objective of protecting the public and reducing reoffending specifically by:
• Giving staff the information they need to ensure they complete their roles to a high standard.• Helping other stakeholders feel confident in the establishment’s ability toachieve its objectives and be advocates for the Agency.• Creating a strong brand.
The post holder is also required to promote HMPPS behaviours e.g. promote diversity, decency, safety and reducing re-offending agendas.
The Communications Officer will be responsible for creating a cohesive communications platform including: liaising with Functional Heads and central teams; keeping up-to-date distribution lists; facilitating consistent messaging across the establishment; and building our external presence.
The post holder will work within the Business Hub, working with the Head of Business Assurance and Business Hub Managers. They will also have regular communication with the Heads of Functions across the establishment.
This is a non-operational job with no line management responsibilities. This role is rotational.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Publishing• Publisher for intranet and other internal message boards, including in-cell TVs and internal newsletter publications.• As part of the Business Hub, responsible for uploading content to the intranet.• Ensures the quality of links, images and metadata through regular monitoring and identification of issues and ensuring fixes where appropriate.• Responsible for ensuring the quality of all content is consistent with online guidelines.• Develops working knowledge of all online content management systems used in HMPPS.
Channel and Content Management• Responsible for regular collation and distribution of messages from the Senior Management Team, working with colleagues within the Business Hub to ensure that all necessary communications are sent out.• Working to set templates, supports the Business Hub in delivering a range of standard newsletters such as NPS and CRC News. This includes writing and proofing.
Generic Production• Provides basic design, typesetting and proofing service for the team.• Supports production of communications products and materials as required.• Provides assistance in product development on behalf of Functional Heads and supporting the Business Hub Manager in delivering a high quality service to the establishment.• Supports delivery of multimedia projects from concept to final delivery e.g. community communications and portals, social media etc.• Supports government and industry good practice online guidelines and ensures these are adhered to across establishment communications and the wider organisation.• Uses systems to evaluate and maximize prison online coverage such as internet search results and monitoring of external websites e.g. blog-sites, reporting particular issues as required to the planning, research and evaluation manager.• Maintains own professional knowledge and keeps abreast of emerging trends.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Behaviours

• Changing and Improving• Communicating and Influencing• Working Together• Managing a Quality Service• Making Effective Decisions Technical Requirements

Job holders must complete specific training in their administrative specialism once they take up post.
When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability to work with Young People.
Ability

• Able to deal effectively and assertively with staff at all levels• Able user of MS Word and MS Excel• Information collation and analysis
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

37 hours per week.
Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts
All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS
All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & 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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

Moj:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Hmpps

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 10107

Job Description Attachment

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Application Form Stage Assessments

Behaviours A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered. Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Communicating and Influencing Changing and Improving Managing a Quality Service

Interview Stage Assessments

Interview Dates Expected: 13/10/2025, 14/10/2025 Behaviours Communicating and Influencing Changing and Improving Managing a Quality Service Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here. Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Level of security checks required DBS Standard

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