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Media Officer

  • Job
    Full-time
    Mid & Senior Level
  • Government & Politics
    Media & Journalism
  • London

AI generated summary

  • You must have media experience, strong communication skills, audience insight, be calm under pressure, use evaluations for improvement, build networks, and create effective campaigns.
  • You will draft media plans, build journalist relationships, monitor media, advise on communication strategies, create campaigns, and represent the department in cross-government meetings.

Requirements

  • Extensive experience working in media, public relations, or other communications roles.
  • Experience of delivering audience-focused proactive and reactive communications.
  • Strong oral and written communications skills.
  • Ability to utilise insight to communicate effectively with different audiences.
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure, prioritise workload and deal with competing priorities.
  • Evidence of using evaluation to learn lessons and improve communications.
  • Ability to build and maintain networks with counterparts in other organisations.
  • Ability to develop and deliver creative campaigns to tackle issues and promote topics using audience insight.

Responsibilities

  • Create, research, develop and draft media handling for a range of channels to promote key announcements and policies from the Department.
  • Establish and maintain key relationships with journalists, keeping them across future announcements from the Department and regularly pitching ideas to them to ensure coverage.
  • Develop a good understanding of the business priorities for each Ministerial portfolio and identify and flag risks and issues identified.
  • Monitor and evaluate media to improve future media handling.
  • Use media and audience insight to inform your approach and adapt messaging and narratives based on the audience.
  • Provide advice – and constructive challenge where required – to policy teams, the Permanent Secretary, ministers, and special advisers on the communication implications of new, developing and existing policy.
  • Create and implement communication strategies and integrated media campaigns that keep us on the front foot.
  • Demonstrate excellent written communication skills across both reactive issues handling and proactive media products to ensure appropriate content, messaging, tone and consistency in media communication.
  • Represent the DfE in cross-government meetings, and work with external stakeholders to gain insight, to influence where necessary, to suggest joint initiatives where appropriate and to contribute to the existing or proposed initiatives of others.
  • Participate in the out-of-hours duty rota providing an on-call service to members of the media.

FAQs

What is the salary for the Media Officer position?

The salary for the Media Officer position is £37,635, with an additional contribution of £10,902 towards a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

What are the working arrangements for this role?

Most DfE employees will be working in a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting.

What are the primary responsibilities of the Media Officer?

The Media Officer's responsibilities include creating and drafting media handling, establishing relationships with journalists, developing communication strategies, and monitoring media to improve future handling, among others.

What essential criteria is required for applicants?

Applicants must have extensive experience in media or public relations, strong communication skills, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and a track record of using audience insight in communications.

Is there an out-of-hours duty requirement for this position?

Yes, the Media Officer will participate in the out-of-hours duty rota, providing an on-call service to members of the media.

Will there be training opportunities available?

Yes, as an organization supporting education and lifelong learning, the Department for Education offers excellent professional development opportunities for its staff.

Are there any travel requirements for this role?

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by the DfE, but costs for travel to an office that is not your main location will be covered.

What benefits do employees receive besides salary?

Employees receive 25 days of leave, increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days after five years. They also receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday, 8 bank and public holidays, and the opportunity to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

What assessment process does the selection involve?

The selection process includes an application stage where candidates submit a CV and Statement of Suitability, followed by an interview assessing experience, behaviours, and technical skills.

What is the expected behavior to be assessed during the selection process?

Candidates will be assessed on the behaviour "Delivering at Pace" during the selection process.

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Help us achieve world-class education, training and care for everyone, whatever their background. Whether you're just starting out, or an experienced professional, we have what you are looking for. Jobs include administration, policy advisers, digital, finance, commercial specialists and many more. You'll help shape the future of education, training and social care, by working with industry and education leaders to develop policies and services. We have offices across England, including in Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol, Leeds, Gatehead, Cambridge, London, Darlington, Nottingham and Coventry. We offer part-time, term-time and flexible working patterns, including working from home. You'll be able to shape your own learning and development with plenty of options available, and get involved with work across government, as well as in your local community. You can use your paid volunteer days to take on projects that matter to you.