Job Description
Cheltenham, London, Manchester
Job Summary
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ, you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is the UK Government’s lead authority on cyber security. The organisation is at the heart of the Government’s cyber security strategy and aims to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the NCSC’s external communications team as an Assistant Media and Social Media Officer.
We are looking for a motivated person who is enthusiastic about delivering impactful and creative communications which inform our audiences about the NCSC’s priorities, our actionable advice and shape the public conversation.
Job Description
What will the successful candidate be doing?
You will be part of a dynamic team working across both the press office and social media functions to assist the delivery of proactive announcements and handling of emerging stories and queries from the media.
You will have the opportunity to identify and shape high-profile and meaningful news stories to help make the UK the safest place to live and work online – from warning about the cyber threat posed by nation states to inspiring the next generation of cyber professionals.
With assistance from senior colleagues, you will craft plans for communicating the NCSC’s priorities, products and advice, and work closely with counterparts across the organisation and Whitehall to maximise their effectiveness and manage risks.
You will draft communications products including press releases, social media posts and reactive statements; engage with journalists seeking input for their stories; and contribute to briefings for NCSC seniors.
Some occasional travel will be expected to help with public engagements and work with partners.
Dependent on working hours arrangements, there will be an expectation that the successful candidate will join an on-call duty rota operating outside of core business hours for which additional allowances are payable.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will need to have:
- Sound written skills, where they can present technical information in a compelling and informative way.
- A keen interest in the news agenda of the day and the ability to spot stories and emerging issues of interest to the organisation.
- Good collaboration skills for working with different stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.
- Prior experience in journalism, public relations, or government communications would certainly be advantageous. Appropriate training and support will be provided as required.
GCHQ Competencies
The NCSC will assess you against competencies used by the UK Intelligence Community and the Government Communications Service (GCS). These competencies are based closely on the Civil Service Behaviours. The Level 2 competencies you’ll be assessed against are:
• Communicating and Influencing (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Communicating and Influencing)
• Working Collaboratively (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Working Together)
• Making Effective Decisions (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Making Effective Decisions)
• Delivering Outcomes (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Delivering at Pace)
Benefits and Rewards
At NCSC and GCHQ, we are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment that’s designed to encourage open minds and attitudes. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committed to helping you fulfil your potential. With comprehensive training and development opportunities, tailored to your needs and the requirements of your work, we will enable you to flourish in your role and perform to the very best of your abilities.
You’ll receive a starting salary of £34,663.
For roles based in London, you’ll receive an additional £6,250 London Allowance.
Other benefits:
- 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
- An environment with flexible working options
- Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
- Paid parental and adoption leave.
- Excellent pension scheme - Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Equal Opportunities
At GCHQ, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Disability Confident
GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
- Able to demonstrate producing effective written work - assessed at CV sift.
- Able to demonstrate working well with others and being comfortable communicating with a range of stakeholders - assessed at CV sift.
- Able to demonstrate having delivered work in a timely manner while handling competing priorities or working under pressure - assessed at CV sift.
Selection Process
What to Expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
- Online Application (CV and a covering letter which sets out why you would be a good fit for the role)
- Application sift
- Interview
- If successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment.
Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you to continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.
Before You Apply
To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.
Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.
The role is based in Cheltenham, London and Manchester , so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we do not offer relocation costs.
Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
The closing date for this role is: 7th October 2024
Right to Withdraw Statement:
Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
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