Location

London

About the job

Our transport system touches the lives of everyone in this country: it reunites families; takes millions of people to work every day; and keeps fresh food on the shelves of our supermarkets. Directly and indirectly, transport is the lynchpin of how we go about our lives – and it is never out of the spotlight. The Department for Transport plays a vital role in the delivery of the day to day rail, road and aviation services we rely on. In this exciting role, you will be responsible for making the case for major investments in the infrastructure our country needs – from major rail investment to rolling out electric car charge points. You will have innate news sense and strong political antenna that ministers and senior officials will rely on while managing the many, varied issues that overseeing an operational transport system involves. An established and effective leader, oversee our talented media, speech writing, crisis and corporate teams. The successful candidate will benefit from the Department for Transport’s excellent benefits – from 33 days of holiday, inclusive of bank holidays, to the desirable civil service pension scheme and flexible working options.

Job description

DfT Communications is a great team who are passionate about working together to deliver creative and compelling communications, while effectively managing high profile and often controversial issues. We have committed to behave in a way that allows everyone to be honest, brave, collaborative and creative, embracing differences and supporting each other, celebrating success along the way.

Our role is to:
- Explain Ministers’ policies and programmes, from major infrastructure like Heathrow and HS2 to our ambitious plans on innovation and decarbonisation.
- Deliver a range of the Government’s most successful and innovative behaviour change communications, including the award-winning THINK! campaign.
- Inform and reassure the public during a crisis, for example most recently leading a cross-government multi agency response to the collapse of Thomas Cook.
- Build advocacy and support with influential individuals and organisations through our well established external affairs team.
- Promote the UK transport sector internationally, in particular our world leading aviation and maritime sectors.
 

Responsibilities

The Deputy Director for Group Media and Corporate is responsible for providing timely and effective communications handling advice directly to Ministers and senior officials, to ensure the Department’s policies are understood by the public.

This is a demanding and challenging role, but a hugely rewarding and interesting one. It presents an opportunity to make a real difference by delivering world-class communications that support Ministers’ priorities, improve people’s lives and enable the effective operation of our public service.

Benefits

This includes:
- a generous annual leave entitlement,
- attractive pension options,
- flexible working,
- good career development opportunities,
- a variety of career paths,
- inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance."

Things you need to know

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

Selection process details

This role requires an exceptional senior level communications professional with first rate news sense and experience leading high-profile campaigns and digital communications, as well as managing high profile issues. It would suit a creative, collaborative and forward-thinking individual looking to make a difference to the way we communicate with our audiences across a range of evolving channels.

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process by no later than 23:55, Sunday 5th January 2020. You will be asked to submit the following:

1. Some basic, personal information;
2. A CV document setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years
3. A Statement of Suitability document (max 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification Please note that the statement of suitability is an important part of your application and is as much the means by which you will be assessed as your CV.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with us on: [email protected]

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 dft- [email protected] 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 you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

If you are successful and transferring from another Government Department, we will carry out a check of your identity, nationality, and immigration status (including the right to work in the UK) and a criminal record check before confirming your appointment.

Successful candidates must pass a Disclosure and Barring Security Check. Please note that HMRC have an exemption under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, which enables us to make enquiries about both unspent and spent convictions.

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 applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Any move to DFT will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name :   DFT SCS1 Recruitment Team Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected] Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact : [email protected] . If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission