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Job description

The post of Principal Information Officer offers a unique opportunity to lead a news and digital media team within a government Department or heading up a specific communications discipline (including nidirect and Government Advertising Unit). The Principal Information Officer role is an important and exciting one, often operating in high profile and fast-moving situations. You will work collaboratively with internal and external partners and lead your team to deliver timely, practical and innovative communications solutions that make a difference. Please see employer website for full job details & person specification.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the delivery of the Executive’s communication objectives.
• Develop and deliver a departmental communications strategy aligned to the overall communications objectives of the Executive, the Programme for Government (PfG) and the NICS.
• Develop and deliver strategic communications advice that meets the needs of the Minister, the department and senior officials, demonstrating sound judgement, political awareness and sensitivity.
• Set the strategic direction and provide overall editorial control on all communications (traditional and social media) to ensure appropriate content, messaging, tone and consistency in line with the communications strategy.
• Handle complex and sensitive media issues, providing clear advice to Ministers and senior officials, key messages and briefing.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of communications against objectives; provide early alerts on breaking news stories to the Minister, the department and senior officials; rebut inaccurate/misleading stories; and review lessons learnt.
• Take the communications lead in crisis management, including identifying emerging issues, and providing strong, proactive advice to the Minister, the department and senior officials.
• Proactively engage with internal and external stakeholders including the Minister, senior officials and the media to maximise communications opportunities (in both traditional and social media) and improve customer/stakeholder satisfaction.
• Provide assurance on stewardship and governance arrangements in Press Office by ensuring the team complies with NICS policies for CPD, audit, GDPR/FOI/AQ, risk/asset/information management/financial management, including operating within budget.
• Effectively lead the team, determining outcomes and work priorities and giving clear direction and purpose. Actively build and develop the team by demonstrating EIS values.
• Take responsibility for line management including encouraging and identifying opportunities for staff development.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• At least four years’ experience as a practitioner in public relations, marketing communications or related discipline.
• At least three years’ experience working to deliver innovative, creative integrated communication strategies, setting strategic direction providing editorial control on communication both traditional, social media in line with communication strategy.
• At least three years’ experience in working with senior colleagues to provide strategic advice on complex sensitive media and communications issues, involving reputational risk or crisis. Senior colleagues are defined in the CIB.
• A minimum of two years’ experience of effective leadership, setting strategic direction and managing resources to successfully deliver business objectives in a complex and changing environment.
• A minimum of two years’ experience of building constructive, positive and collaborative partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior management, to effectively deliver significant organisational objectives.
• A current valid driving licence and access to a car or motorcycle to carry out the duties of the post.

Desirable Skills

• A third level or post graduate qualification in a relevant discipline linked to eligibility criteria 1 or in a subject where the study of public relations, journalism, advertising or a marketing is a main component.
• At least two years’ experience leading an agile and dynamic team to develop innovative communications to support the delivery of organisation objectives.

Further Information

Location: The posts will be based at various locations across NICS departments. The majority of posts are in the Belfast area, with a small number based in Bangor. However, successful candidates must be prepared to work in any location in Northern Ireland as required. NICS Application form only. Vacancy closing date Friday 12th December 2025 at 12 noon. Applications from males, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer.