Head of Communications
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Head of Communications Senior Civil Service Pay Band 1 Candidate Pack Content 1. Message from John Pullinger 2. About the UK Statistics Authority and the Office for National Statistics 3. Role profile: Head of Communications 4. Person specification 5. Terms and Conditions 6. How to Apply Annex A: The Civil Service Code Annex B: UK Statistics Authority and Office for National Statistics organisation chart Annex C: The Role of the Civil Service Commission Personal Details and Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form 1. Message from John Pullinger I am delighted that you are interested in finding out more about the position of Head of Communications at the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA). The collective mission of our statistical system is to provide high quality statistics, advice and analysis to help Britain make better decisions. We can deliver this only if we confidently engage with our stakeholders, work closely with the media and communicate what we do in ways that our users find helpful. As Head of Communications I will look to you to make this happen. The Better Statistics Better Decisions five year strategy sets out our ambition dramatically to improve our communication of official statistics, ensuring that they make the right impact to serve the public good. I am looking for a Head of Communications who will: build a single centralised communications function across the office with the skills and capability to deliver a first-class service; create and deliver a coherent, outward facing strategy for engagement with our stakeholders; upgrade and deliver an outstanding press office function; be a leader in communications across the Government Statistical Service (GSS) and the wider statistical community setting the agenda and leading the way, working closely with other communications professionals in Government as an active member of the Government Statistical Service (GSS); and ensure all staff understand and are engaged with the delivery of our strategy and what it means for them. Good communications are going to be critical in helping us to succeed. That is why this post reports directly to me. The successful candidate will be a member of our National Statistics Executive Group - alongside my three deputy National Statisticians, Chief of Staff and Finance Director - putting you at the heart of the organisation. I am looking for an exceptional communications professional with a demonstrable record of success, and the energy and determination to transform the way we communicate externally and internally. As a statistical community we want to become smarter about our communications and this will require you to look energetically and determinedly across the whole of our business. You will contribute to policy debate and delivery across the UK. If you are enthusiastic about this position and the opportunities that it offers then I look forward to hearing from you. If you have any further questions or seek a short conversation about the requirements of the role, my Chief of Staff is contactable via email at [email protected] John Pullinger National Statistician and Chief Executive UK Statistics Authority 2. About the UK Statistics Authority and the Office for National Statistics The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) The UK Statistics Authority is an independent body at arm’s length from government reporting directly to the UK Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly. The ONS is the executive office of the UKSA. ONS is the UK’s National Statistical Institute and the largest producer of official statistics and produces statistics on a range of key economic, social and demographic topics. Key services include: measuring changes in the value of the UK economy (GDP), estimating the size, geographic distribution and characteristics of the population (including statistics from the Census), and providing indicators of price inflation (CPI), employment, earnings, crime and migration. Our mission: High quality statistics, analysis and advice to help Britain make better decisions. Official statistics are for the benefit of society and the economy generally. They allow the formulation of better public policy and the effective measurement of those policies; they inform the direction of economic and commercial activities; they provide valuable information for analysts, researchers, public and voluntary bodies; and they enable the public to hold to account all organisations that spend public money, thus informing democratic debate. Our values We expect all those who work in official statistics to meet the highest possible standards in all that they do, and behave in ways that reflect the Civil Service core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Integrity: putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests. Honesty: being truthful and open. Objectivity: basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence. Impartiality: acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well Governments of different political persuasions. Strategy for UK Statistics Information on the five year strategy for the UK official statistics system can be found at: Better Statistics, Better Decisions Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 The Act marked a new era for statistics in the UK. On 1 April 2008, a new UK Statistics Authority was created. ONS is the Executive Office of the Authority. The UK Statistics Authority has a statutory responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the quality and comprehensiveness of official statistics across the UK. The National Statistician is the Chief Executive of the Authority, as well as being Head of the Government Statistical Service (GSS). 3. Role profile: Head of Communications Job Title: Head of Communications Location: London and Newport Status: Full Time (will consider job share) Reporting Structure: The post reports directly to the Authority’s Chief Executive, the National Statistician About the Job: We are looking for an outstanding individual to lead ONS’s stakeholder management and media relations, advising on and then putting in place the necessary changes needed to enhance significantly how we engage and communicate with the outside world. The appointee will lead a team comprising press office, stakeholder relations, internal communications, and other functions including consultations, market research and branding. He/she will design and deliver a communications strategy to support the delivery of official statistics in the UK, enhance our standing with stakeholders and deliver transformational change. The appointee will be senior adviser on stakeholders and communications, both external and internal, to the National Statistician and his leadership team. He/she will drive an organisation wide, effective approach to communications. As the Head of Communications, the post holder will: build a single centralised communications function across the office with the skills and capability to deliver a first-class service; create and deliver a coherent, outward facing strategy for engagement with our stakeholders; upgrade and deliver an outstanding press office function; be a leader in communications across the Government Statistical Service (GSS) and the wider statistical community setting the agenda and leading the way, working closely with other communications professionals in Government as an active member of the Government Statistical Service (GSS); and ensure all staff understand and are engaged with the delivery of our strategy and what it means for them. Your primary responsibilities will include: lead and manage the Authority and ONS communications team working closely with the Chief of Staff and deputy National Statisticians; develop a single centralised communication function across ONS and the Statistics Authority, integrating those business areas which currently have separate communication functions (including the Census and other business areas); complete the integration of the UK Statistics Authority and ONS communications functions, whilst preserving the autonomy and statutory independence of the regulatory function and its communications; lead on stakeholder relations, including key account relationships, reviving the stakeholder function, and devising a systematic programme of targeted engagement which meets the needs of the National Statistician and the Board of the Authority; retain oversight of all communication content, including social media content, ensuring coherence and consistency of message and alignment with the National Statistician’s Leadership Team’s position and the Authority’s strategic objectives; work closely with the owner of digital communication channels to ensure excellent relations and joined up delivery: design and deliver communication campaigns around key priority issues, for example data sharing legislation, changes to National Accounts, and consultations on prices statistics; plan for crisis communications; rationalise the ONS release portfolio and reorganise it to deliver a production schedule consistent with campaign aims and strategic priorities; realign the communications function so that it is aware and supportive of the National Statistician’s wider responsibilities for the Government Statistical Service (GSS) as a whole, and actively helps advise and lead the GSS on communication matters; manage the range of statistics brands (UKSA, ONS,