Media Officer

Job summary

In 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.

The award-winning DHSC Communications team is recognised for its work on crisis communications, evaluation, insight, and partnership working.

Job description

We are looking for media relations officers who are as comfortable briefing journalists and writing press releases as they are planning and delivering high-profile campaigns and producing occasional digital content. You’ll be someone who can hit the ground running in an exciting, fast-paced environment.

Applicants are required to have substantial, demonstrative experience working in either media, public relations, or other communications roles.

We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to diversity and inclusion, while ensuring candidates who apply through the Disability Confident Scheme requiring adjustments are supported during our recruitment process.

The roles are currently expected to continue beyond 31 March 2027. However, as part of the DHSC and NHSE integration programme, organisational structures and workforce requirements may change and this temporary arrangement may need to be brought to an end earlier by the Department. Applicants should also note that, notwithstanding the advertised end date, the role, team, reporting line and organisational structure may change beyond integration.

The HEO Media Officer role attracts a non-contractual Out of hours Duty Allowance of £5,000 per annum paid with the requirement that the role holder will be expected to work on the out of hours rota and undertake regular unsocial working such as but not restricted to morning rounds, evenings and weekends. The allowance is pensionable and subject to annual review.

Person specification

Role Responsibilities

Those working in our media team will shape the news as it develops, responding to journalists, and monitoring media and social media. You’ll ensure DHSC’s position is reflected in coverage, rebut inaccuracies, and update ministers and advisors with news as it breaks. You will work on proactive media announcements to publicise departmental priorities.

You will also be required to:

• advise senior officials and ministers on a range of communications issues on behalf of the department, including identifying potential reputational risks and proactive opportunities
• support ministers on communications on their policy brief, providing clear briefing on live media issues and accompanying them on interviews, visits, and events
• provide a professional, responsive around the clock media service through participation in the out-of-hours and shift rotas. The HEO Media Officer role attracts a non-contractual Out of hours Duty Allowance of £5000 per annum paid with the requirement that the role holder will be expected to work on the out of hours rota and undertake regular unsocial working such as but not restricted to morning rounds, evenings and weekends. The allowance is pensionable and subject to annual review
• build close working relationships with journalists, media relations teams across government and counterparts in arm’s length bodies and partner organisations, ensuring communications activity and messaging is coordinated and supports shared objectives
• work as part of a team to ensure all activity is planned and evaluated in line with Government Communications Service standards, including the use of audience insight and be given the chance to learn and enhance basic social media skills, including video content and photography, to support ministerial activity

Key skills and experience required for the role

Essential:

• substantial experience working in media, public relations, or other communications roles
• experience of delivering audience-focused proactive and reactive communications
• strong oral and written communications skills
• ability to communicate effectively with different audiences including using insight
• ability to remain calm under pressure, prioritise workload and deal with competing priorities
• evidence of using evaluation to learn lessons and improve communications
• ability to build and maintain networks with counterparts in other organisations
• ability to develop and deliver creative campaigns to tackle issues and promote topics using audience insight

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration, and enhancing team working, learning, and support.

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 and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Candidates will be sent a scenario shortly before the interview (no preparation required ahead of the day of the interview), to prepare and present at the start of the interview.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,816, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £10,086 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our