Assistant Communications Officer

LondonJob SummaryIn the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.Health and social care issues can affect you, your family and loved ones. From looking after mental health to ensuring people can access the care they need, to ensuring the right medicine supply is available to help people live healthier lives; the work of the Department of Health and Social Care plays a vital role in all our lives.Do you see yourself shaping the debate on key health issues? Do you want to tell health stories that matter to people?The communications team sits at the very heart of the health and social care debate, working to ensure diverse audiences across the UK understand the government's vision for a healthier nation through targeted consumer, multi-ethnic and regional media engagement.From breaking news on NHS reforms to proactive activity on policy that will change lives, the team translates complex health policy into compelling stories that resonate with millions of people throughout the UK.Our media experts provide the communications support that ensures every policy announcement delivers maximum impact across diverse media landscapes and audiences.They help shape how health stories are told, working across print and broadcast media as well as consumer lifestyle media and regional outlets to ensure the government's health priorities reach every corner of the country.The team actively shape the news agenda and understanding of diverse media landscapes to ensure that vital public health messages reach the people who need them most.Job DescriptionThe Department of Health and Social Care is looking for assistant communications officer to be part of a high-performing team, working in an exciting, fast-paced environment, developing new skills to build a career at the heart of government.As a modern communications professional, you’ll have the chance to build skills, embrace new challenges and varied opportunities.You’ll help create innovative audience-focused communications plans including generating proactive media announcements and brief journalists, helping to land our messaging with key audiences, work with ministers, major stakeholders and influencers.You’ll also work alongside our other communications teams which will focus on planning, designing, and delivering communications to support the health issues that matter to people.You will learn the most up-to-date approaches to using audience insight to understand public views and interest which moulds communications, the lifestyle and consumer channels that allow us to land messaging outside of the usual media outlets and how evaluation is used to show genuine behaviour change.Learning and development and wellbeing are integral parts of the offer as you’ll be supported to develop your career and grow your knowledge of communications in the Civil Service, exploring what skills you want to develop by working with other comms colleagues on high-profile projects and announcements.The successful candidate will receive support from a team who’ve been at the forefront of the news agenda over the past two years, dealing with major news moments shaping the national debate.You will also have access to the Government Communication Service training curriculum where you can take part in on-demand webinars, live courses, podcasts and have access to guidance and reading lists to help build your personal development plan.Once you become a member of our team, we’re not only interested in what you can bring to communications, but also our culture and values, including commitments to staff health and wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion.We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares the communications directorate's and wider department's commitment to diversity and inclusion, while ensuring candidates who apply through the Disability Confident Scheme requiring adjustments are supported during our recruitment process.The Department of Health and Social Care is looking for assistant communications officer to be part of a high-performing team, working in an exciting, fast-paced environment, developing new skills to build a career at the heart of government.As a modern communications professional, you’ll have the chance to build skills, embrace new challenges and varied opportunities.You’ll help create innovative audience-focused communications plans including generating proactive media announcements and brief journalists, helping to land our messaging with key audiences, work with ministers, major stakeholders and influencers.You’ll also work alongside our other communications teams which will focus on planning, designing, and delivering communications to support the health issues that matter to people.You will learn the most up-to-date approaches to using audience insight to understand public views and interest which moulds communications, the lifestyle and consumer channels that allow us to land messaging outside of the usual media outlets and how evaluation is used to show genuine behaviour change.Learning and development and wellbeing are integral parts of the offer as you’ll be supported to develop your career and grow your knowledge of communications in the Civil Service, exploring what skills you want to develop by working with other comms colleagues on high-profile projects and announcements.The successful candidate will receive support from a team who’ve been at the forefront of the news agenda over the past two years, dealing with major news moments shaping the national debate.You will also have access to the Government Communication Service training curriculum where you can take part in on-demand webinars, live courses, podcasts and have access to guidance and reading lists to help build your personal development plan.Once you become a member of our team, we’re not only interested in what you can bring to communications, but also our culture and values, including commitments to staff health and wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion.We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares the communications directorate's and wider department's commitment to diversity and inclusion, while ensuring candidates who apply through the Disability Confident Scheme requiring adjustments are supported during our recruitment process.Person specificationWe are looking for a motivated and creative individual to join us and embark on an exceptional career in government communications.Key Responsibilities For The Role Will IncludeWorking as a member of one of the busiest comms teams in Whitehall.Responding to queries, monitoring media and briefing journalists and supporting on proactive announcements covering a range of high-profile issues leading the news agenda.Supporting the planning, design and delivery of communications activity to deliver departmental priorities, including developing high-quality content for use across a range of channels and platforms.Gaining experience in advising senior officials and ministers on a range of communications issues on behalf of the department – including identifying potential reputational risks and proactive opportunities.Helping to support the team with ministerial communications in their policy brief, assisting with clear briefing on live media issues and accompanying on interviews, visits and events.Supporting a professional, responsive 24/7 media service.Developing strong working relationships with lifestyle and communities media outlets to help deliver activity and announcements outside of the usual print and broadcasts landscape.Building strong working relationships with counterparts in external organisations, arms-length bodies and partner organisations.Working as part of a team to ensure all activity is planned and evaluated in line with GCS standards, including using audience insight.With the support of an experienced network of peers and a strong focus on professional development, you will develop skills in line with the above areas.EssentialKey skills and experience required for the roleStrong oral and written communications skills.Experience of delivering proactive and reactive communications.Ability to develop and deliver creative campaigns to tackle issues and promote topics using audience insight.An interest in how communications works and how it works to engage with the public.Ability to remain calm under pressure, prioritise workload and deal with competing priorities.An interest in the news and how people obtain their news through different channels.Evidence of learning lessons to improve communications.BehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Communicating and InfluencingSeeing the Big PictureDelivering at PaceManaging a Quality ServiceAlongside your salary of £33,849, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £9,806 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsA culture encouraging inclusion and diversityA Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.Applications will be sifted W/C: 10/11/2025Interview date: W/C 24/11/2025Interview location: Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.Further details and interview slots will be released to candidates who are successful at sift.Applications will be sifted on your CV and personal statement.Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert.Please use your personal statement to (in no more than 750 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths.Candidates will be asked to give a presentation which will assess the lead behaviour - Communicating and Influencing. Details of the presentation question will be issued to candidates with the release of the sift scores.To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service careers website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-department-of-health-social-care/ and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service careers website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available.Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.Candidates must ensure that all information provided in their application is factually accurate. Any examples provided must be taken from personal experience. The Civil Service abides by honesty and integrity as part of its core values, if evidence of plagiarism is found, applications may be withdrawn.Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.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.Terms and ConditionsCandidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.New Entrants to the Civil ServiceNew entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staffPrivilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthdayHours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staffOccupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half payMobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil ServiceProbation: 6 month probation periodExisting Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotionAll staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotionIf DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).Further InformationA reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.Any move to DHSC 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.Reasonable AdjustmentIf 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 dhscrecruitment.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 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 and Barring Service 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.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.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.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis Job Is Broadly Open To The Following GroupsUK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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)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 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and InclusionThe 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 applicantsJob ContactName : Emma ParkerEmail : Emma.Parker@dhsc.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.ukFurther informationIf 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 the DHSC Central Recruitment Team at DHSCrecruitment@dhsc.gov.ukIf you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/