Senior Communications Manager

DetailsEnsure all your application information is up to date and in order before applying for this opportunity.Reference number351316Salary£45,260 - £49,062Appointments to Forest Research are made at the entry level of the salary quoted above except in exceptional circumstances where a candidate's experience and skills may justify a higher starting salary. New entrants to the civil service will be expected to start on the minimum of the pay-band. Normal pay on transfer rules apply for existing civil servants.A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%Job gradeSenior Executive OfficerPay Band 3Contract typeFixed termLength of employmentThis is a Fixed Term Appointment for 18 months starting 01/08/24 - 31/01/2026 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.Business areaFR - Chief Executive OfficeType of roleCommunications / MarketingEnvironment and SustainabilityScienceWorking patternFlexible working, Full-timeNumber of jobs available1ContentsLocationAbout the jobBenefitsThings you need to knowApply and further informationLocationThe role can be based in Alice Holt, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH or in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY with blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.About the jobJob summaryWant to work at the cutting edge of environmental science research? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crises? Forest Research (FR) is a leading UK scientific research organisation that provides impactful scientific data, evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners. Internationally recognised, we want to work with people who have the skills and passion to deliver impactful science which informs practical solutions across the sector.We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our natural environment. With locations across the UK, you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer who promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing organisation that makes a difference, find out more at Homepage - Forest ResearchThe Communications team is the trusted voice of Forest Research. The team leads on:Identifying and understanding our internal and external audiencesBuilding trust and loyalty amongst external audiences through consistent and transparent branded communications, creating influence and opportunityMotivating staff through effective delivery of the senior leadership team’s vision and communication priorities via internal communications channelsOptimising the effectiveness of the range of analogue and digital communications channels that Forest Research uses to reach its internal and external audiencesDelivering a cost-effective publishing programme of research, statistics and guidance documentsActing as first point-of-contact for all print, online and broadcast media enquiriesProviding expert advice on media management to the senior leadership and wider organisation.Corporate Communications supports the priorities of Forest Research by:Enhancing research impact by using marketing and communications insight, strategy, delivery and evaluation to influence audience behaviourDeveloping, maintaining and evaluating a communications network across partners, stakeholders and fundersProviding marketing and communications consultancy and support across the organisation to increase impact and generate incomeHelping attract the very best employment candidates for the organisation through effective profile and reputation managementSupporting Forest Research staff attending an agreed programme of events.Job descriptionThe Senior Communications Manager role focuses on the strategy, planning, coordination and evaluation of science communication to key external audiences, including partners, policy makers and forestry practitioners, in line with the Communications Strategy.The role involves:Providing expert advice on science communication to the Head of Communications, senior management team and wider organisationStrategy and planning of multi-channel communication campaigns to support forest science research programmes and projectsProviding communications advice to research teams, identifying communications objectives, prioritising messages and recommending the most appropriate channels for disseminationCreating communications plans and project managing their delivery through partnership working with science teams, communications colleagues and external partnersLine management of science communication managerWorking with communications team colleagues to create written and multimedia content for Forest Research channels including the FR website and social mediaProviding guidance and editorial support to science teams for planned magazine, journal and blog contentPrioritising and scheduling of magazine, journal and blog content and relationship building with editors and channel ownersProviding guidance to science teams on science communication events, online and in-personEvaluation and reporting of communications activity performanceDeveloping relationships with strategic external partners to extend reach of science communicationDeputising for the Head of Communications when required.Person specificationEssential CriteriaDemonstrable knowledge and skills in managing and delivering science communications within complex stakeholder environments in order to deliver the right messages in the right place at the right timeExperience of communicating science to policy makers and/or practitioners within the environmental sectorCommunications strategy and planning skills and expertiseProject prioritisation and management skillsExcellent communication and influencing skills, written and verbal, with the ability to write appropriately for different audiences and channelsThe ability to persuade and influence science colleagues and partners in terms of communications best practiceUnderstanding and application of OASIS planning and the Government Communications Service Evaluation Framework or other communications planning and evaluation frameworksAnalytical and evaluation skills, providing regular reporting on communication outputs and outcomesTechnical ability including computer literacy and content editingBasic video content creation skillsAbility to work collaboratively with colleagues within the Communications team and more widely within Forest ResearchAbility to prioritise workload and work at pace.Desirable CriteriaMembership of a relevant professional body.BehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Communicating and InfluencingManaging a Quality ServiceWorking TogetherBenefitsAlongside your salary of £45,260, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £12,220 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Your careerExcellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to allaccess to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settingsYour work/life balanceflexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilitiesA generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidaysYour wellbeingA culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environmentA range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood FridaysPaid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and timeYour benefitsa highly competitive Civil Service Pension where employer contributions starting at 26% of your salaryan employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shopsCycle to Work scheme and Interest free loansFree parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging portsWith maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.Any move to Forest Research 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 you need to knowSelection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.Sift Date: week commencing 27th May 2024.Interview Date: week commencing 10th June 2024.If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour Communicating and Influencing however, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours at the interview stage.Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.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.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.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.SecuritySuccessful 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 groups:UK 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.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).Apply and further informationThis vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 contact :Name :##### :##### teamEmail :##### informationOur 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 FR HR Services by email: ##### you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.