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Job description

Senior Information Officers provide a key role within the organisation. They work closely with Ministers and senior officials providing a variety of external communication services across a range of communication disciplines including departmental press offices, the Government Advertising Unit and the central editorial team of the nidirect website. Depending on business need, Senior Information Officers can at times be embedded within policy teams to provide specialist support. As well as being based in core departments, there are occasions when staff can be placed in communications roles outside of EIS and within Arm’s Length Bodies. Senior Information Officers are expected to carry out work to an advanced stage, in a high pressure environment, exercising high levels of self reliance, judgment, political awareness and initiative. Senior Information Officers operate within a team structure where they have line management responsibility, and report to a Principal Information Officer.

Responsibilities

• While the precise duties and responsibilities of individual posts will vary, the main duties and key responsibilities will include:
• To provide strategic communications advice to Ministers and senior officials demonstrating sound judgement, political awareness and sensitivity.
• To provide strategic direction on all communications (traditional, social and digital), ensuring the content, messaging, tone and consistency are in line with the communications strategy.
• To handle complex and sensitive communication issues, providing clear advice to Ministers and senior officials.
• To plan and deliver creative, dynamic and engaging digital solutions.
• To support the Principal Information Officer on all aspects of communications during a crisis, including identifying emerging issues and providing strong proactive advice.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of effective external media handling strategies/plans within a fast changing news environment.
• Managing, maintaining and building good working relationships with key stakeholders, customers and partners.
• Managing and arranging press conferences, radio and TV interviews, and media coverage of important events, announcements and visits.
• Supporting Ministers at site visits within and outside Northern Ireland, including international visits.
• Overseeing the preparation of news releases and external written communications.
• Responding to media inquiries including briefing journalists and managing relationships with the media.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of communications (including social media) against objectives and business outcomes and management of Information Officers, support staff or other resources.
• Please refer to the Candidate Information Booklet for further information.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• At least three years' experience as a practitioner in public relations, journalism, advertising or a marketing environment; And
• At least three years' experience working on your own and with key stakeholders to develop and deliver innovative, proactive press strategies or marketing campaigns to meet organisational needs; AND
• At least one year's experience of working with senior colleagues to handle high profile and sensitive communication issues, involving reputational risk or crisis; AND
• A current valid driving licence and access to a car or motorcycle to carry out the duties of the post.

Desirable Skills

• In addition, applicants should be aware that after an eligibility sift, should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to the next stage of selection, the following shortlisting criteria will be used in the order listed:
• At least two years' experience managing social media accounts, producing and editing original, visual and dynamic content working in a communication environment.
• A third level or post graduate qualification in a relevant discipline linked to eligibility criterion 1.

Further Information

NICS Application form only. Vacancy closing date Friday 3rd July 2026 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. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk Please quote reference number: IRC327545