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Job description

The NICS comprises nine departments that support the Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers. We do this by developing and implementing government policies and legislation and delivering key public services in areas such as health public finances, social development, justice, education, regeneration, environment, culture, agriculture, economic development, employment and transport. In addition, the Public Prosecution Service is a non-Ministerial Department staffed by Civil Servants. All civil servants are appointed on merit and on the basis of fair and open competition. They are expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the NI Civil Service’s core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. The NICS is seeking to fill Deputy Principal Marketing & Communications Manager roles that require specific skills and experience. Applications are invited from candidates who meet the eligibility criteria, to apply for this opportunity and challenge. This booklet provides further information on the key responsibilities of the Deputy Principal Marketing & Communications Manager roles in the NICS and sets out the skills and competencies required. We have also included important information on the selection process.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic marketing and communication plans for internal and external audiences.
• Managing the delivery of a broad range of online and offline marketing and communication activities, such as organisational web content, publications, and staff engagement activities and events.
• Leading the team and fulfilling line management responsibilities to deliver the functions and responsibilities of the team, including contract management.
• Identify and leading on producing innovative creative content for digital and non-digital channels to achieve campaign objectives including reports, videos, infographics, audio, photographs, and blogs.
• Researching new and emerging marketing and communication opportunities, both offline and online.
• Engaging with corporate Communication Division and Press Office in the Department and other partners to enhance brand awareness and develop specific campaign messaging, products and measure impact, including;
• Working with Press Office to manage relationship with the media including briefing journalists.
• Working with Press Office in preparing written communications, including speeches, news releases, briefing materials, lines to take, statements, press releases and articles on complex and sensitive topics.
• Building strong relationships with a wide range of staff and stakeholders to fully understand, advise on and deliver organisational marketing and communication needs.
• Identifying and addressing accessibility needs of online communication products across communications channels such as staff intranets, Departmental websites, nidirect.gov.uk and other relevant websites.
• Developing a monitoring and evaluation framework to analyse the performance of marketing and communication activities.
• Using data, including analytic software and user feedback, to monitor and analyse channel and platform performance. Supporting the updating and monitoring of content on the organisation’s online content and manage Search Engine Optimisation.
• Ensuring that expenditure is managed in line with current NICS guidance. Travel and attendance will be required at external events across Northern Ireland and for some roles there may be a need to attend national and international events.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications:
• A Level 4 qualification or higher in Marketing, Communications or Public Relations. Examples of Level 4 qualifications include Level 4 NVQ, HNC and BTEC Professional Diplomas.
• OR, At least three years demonstrable and practical professional experience working in a marketing or communications environment using a range of online and offline communication tools from initial brief to final delivery including...
• ...experience in 2 of the 6 areas below:
• Developing and implementing marketing/communications plans;
• Using digital communications analytics to evaluate and improve communications;
• Developing and updating online content/websites/intranets;
• Managing and developing content for organisational social media accounts;
• Designing and delivering staff/stakeholder engagement activities and events;
• Producing digital and non-digital content and products to achieve marketing/communication campaign objectives.
• AND, 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.
• AND, A minimum of two years’ experience of building constructive, positive and collaborative partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders including senior leaders to effectively deliver significant organisational objectives.

Desirable Skills

• Should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview after an eligibility sift, the selection panel will carry out an objective evaluation of the breadth and depth of information provided by candidates
• in response to eligibility criterion 4. This will be completed on a scored basis and only the highest scoring applicants will proceed to interview.

Further Information

NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 7th August at 12 noon. Applications from Protestants, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcome 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. Further Information Further appointments may be made from this competition should NICS positions become vacant which require the same eligibility criteria and have similar duties and responsibilities. If you have any questions, please refer to the ‘How Do I Apply?’ section of the NICS recruitment website or contact HRConnect on 0800 1 300 330

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC328005)