Communications Officer

Job summary

As our Communications Officer you will be delivering core communications services across the four Government Communication Service (GCS) competencies:

• Insight
• Ideas
• Implementation
• Impact

Further details can be accessed here: https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/publications/competency-framework/

You will also work within the following three GCS disciplines: Digital, Press and Media and Marketing & Campaigns.

Job description

The Communications Officer’s key responsibilities will include:

• Dealing with media enquiries, drafting press releases and managing media relations as part of the Cafcass Press Office including being part of the out of hours press rota
• Media monitoring and horizon scanning to anticipate proactive media opportunities and situations likely to require reactive media handling
• Planning and implementing digital communication campaigns including design, branding, and content management for the website and intranet
• Supporting colleagues across Cafcass at all levels on specific communications projects including being involved in significant organisational change programmes and other strategic priorities
• Supporting the writing, design and delivery of key organisational publications such as the Annual Report.

More details can be found in the job description. (See bottom of this webpage.)

Person specification

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking a dedicated and innovative Communications Officer who possesses the following key attributes:

• Professional expertise:Degree level education in communications or a related field – alternatively substantial experience in organisational communications preferably with experience in Press Officer type roles
• Proven experience:Demonstrated ability in working on communication projects or tasks
• Advanced writing skills:Proficient in drafting engaging and effective communications, tailored to various audiences, both internally and externally
• Digitally savvy:Experience in managing digital communications channels, utilising social media and other online platforms to enhance organisational presence
• Stakeholder engagement:Track record of building and maintaining relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and support for communication initiatives
• Analytical insight:Ability to assess and evaluate communication outcomes, applying insights to drive continuous improvement and achieve service delivery objectives.

We are a diverse, inclusive organisation that is a safe space for colleagues with shared aspects of identity and lived experience, which helps ensure we provide a service which promotes the diversity and uniqueness of children and families from all backgrounds. If you believe you can bring value to our team and you meet some but not all criteria, we encourage you to apply.

Location? Flexible

Contractually, you can be based in any Cafcass office (travel to London office once a month – Gray’s Inn Road).

We trust and empower colleagues to work in a hybrid way. We provide the resources, equipment, and support, so that individually and collectively, we can be the voice of children and young people when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures.

We provide extensive wellbeing support for colleagues, as well as excellent benefits, all of which we hope encourages you to work within our dedicated team.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Local Government Pension with an employer contribution of 18.1%
• Generous holidays 28 days (including three for Christmas) rising to 33 days with five years continuous service.

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 candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Next steps / timelines

Below we have given you an indication of a timetable we are hoping to work towards, although dates are subject to change.

Closing date:

Sunday 18 January

Telephone interviews:

Tuesday 27 January and Friday 30 January

Final Interview:

Friday 13 February In person, in London

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Andrew Lamberti (Deputy Head of Communications)
• Email : Andrew.Lamberti@cafcass.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Priya.Kadara@cafcass.gov.uk

Attachments

Communications Officer - External JD Dec2025 (1) (2) Opens in new window (docx, 58kB)