Scotland Communications and Content Lead

Job content

Summary

About the job

The Department for International Trade (DIT) ensures a prosperous future for all by securing a fair and open international trading environment. Its mission is to support jobs, higher wages and raise living standards across all parts of the UK.

DIT’s Trade and Investment Scotland helps Scottish businesses to increase exports and investment, and take advantage of new global opportunities arising from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The team provides access to business support and guidance to help companies grow internationally and recover from the economic impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. It leverages DIT’s international reach across more than 100 overseas markets and connects businesses to services such as financial support through UK Export Finance.

Job Description

You will design and deliver a communications plan to articulate, promote and support the team’s role, remit and activities to internal and external audiences. You will collaborate internally and inspire colleagues to deliver communications activities to ensure DIT’s work is high profile, well received and understood at local, regional and national level in Scotland.

The Communications and Content Lead will be responsible for shaping messaging to showcase DIT’s work in supporting trade and investment between Scotland and the rest of the world, and support increased business engagement with DIT services. The successful candidate will amplify the representation of Scotland via internal and external channels with respect to its contribution towards UK trade and investment.

Your line management will be in Trade and Investment Scotland and you will also work closely with DIT’s Communications and Marketing Directorate for professional oversight and to support the delivery of key messages to external stakeholders.

You will have responsibility for supporting DIT Ministers’ interactions with the media during visits to Scotland by liaising with DIT’s Press Office.

External campaigns will include the promotion of consultations and new Free Trade Agreements, Exports and Investment, EU Transition and COVID Economic Recovery.

There will be a package of learning and development support to help you get the most out of this role.

The role will be based in Edinburgh.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.

Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Most DIT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in the office.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have strong leaderships skills and be able to quickly offer credible communications advice to senior colleagues and Ministers. You will be a driven, open and collaborative person with the ability to remain calm while working at pace and under pressure. You will have a natural curiosity for the workings of international trade and of government more broadly. You can swiftly build and maintain priority relationships and proactively solve problems. The successful candidate will be a confident written and verbal communicator, comfortable dealing with senior officials and stakeholders.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience of leading and delivering successful multi-platform communications campaigns in the fields of corporate communications and media relations.
• Experience of engagement with journalists at Scottish media outlets and with senior stakeholders such as c-suite leaders, boards, and trade bodies.
• An understanding of press and digital communications.
• Ability to provide clear argument and advice based on analysis, judgement and experience.
• Ability to collaborate with a complex group of internal and external stakeholders and achieve shared objectives.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  

Desirable Criteria

• An understanding of working with government and advising ministers.
• Demonstrable project leadership skills inspiring colleagues to deliver to a high standard.
• An understanding of the international trade agenda and interest in public policy.
• Demonstrable experience and knowledge of using Graphic Design packages such as Adobe Suite.
  

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
  

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
  

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus, and will be following central Government advice as it is issued. There is therefore a risk that recruitment to this post may be subject to change at short notice. In addition, where appropriate, you may be invited to attend a video interview.

Please continue to follow the application process as normal and ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

Sift will take place week commencing 15th November 2021

Interviews will take place week commencing 29th November 2021

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement.

Please Align Your CV With Previous Skills And Experience.

Maximum of 2 A4 pages.

When writing your personal statement you should use this as an opportunity to align your experience and skills to highlight how you best meet the requirements of the position. Maximum 750 words

In the event that there is a high volume of applications, a short sift will be conducted based on your personal statement.

Successful candidates invited to interview will be asked to take part in a technical assessment through a written exercise. This will test their written communication skills demonstrating their ability to draft concise and clear communications.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

The Department for International Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation.

Please note – harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Further Information

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

Any move to the Department for International Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access 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

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 ditrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ’Contact point for applicants’ section.

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

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

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 equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) 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 : James DadgeEmail : James.dadge@trade.gov.uk Recruitment team :Email : ditrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DIT by email: Resourcing@trade.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints