Digital communications and engagement role - Pubs Code Adjudicator

Job summary

This role is part of the Engagement team which supports the Pubs Code Adjudicator - (PCA) engagement with external stakeholders through effective stakeholder management, briefing and engagement to increase understanding of PCA's remit and the Pubs Code including directly to tied pub tenants. The Engagement team work closely with the Regulatory Compliance team to deliver impactful external communications to support regulatory projects and compliance work.

Job description

Role responsibilities

• Communicate regulatory information, updates, and guidance clearly and concisely, using appropriate channels and formats
• Develop engaging and impactful digital content to inform the industry about the PCA’s regulatory work and raise awareness of the Pubs Code in Plain English
• Willingness to understand and apply the Pubs Code to draft text that is consistent with the legislation. Identify when to seek PCA legal advice where necessary to ensure accuracy
• Plan and produce digital communications and content development to meet the PCA’s strategic objectives and support communications campaigns
• Improve engagement across the PCA’s social media accounts, through innovative and strategic use of digital content and communications
• Use analytics to inform communications planning to gain insights and suggest actions
• Support the continued development of the PCA website and self-service resources to enable stakeholder understanding and compliance. Act as the point of contact for resolving technical issues quickly, minimising downtime and reputational risk
• Where required, work with the PCA’s contracted suppliers on website development and administration, including obtaining quotes, contract management and supporting technical implementation
• Support events planning and preparation, including promotion, briefings and presentations
• Collaborate with a range of industry stakeholders, such as tenant representative bodies as well as the regulated pub companies to enhance awareness of important Pubs Code rights
• Identify PCA needs and translate them into functional, developed website elements. Train internal staff on how to use new features
• Play a leading role in the delivery of the PCA’s Engagement and Communications Strategy to support the PCA’s 2-year strategy (from 2025-2027) with a focus on continual improvement and evaluation
• Openness to exploring digital innovation, including responsible and thoughtful use of AI to improve workflows and content
• Draft informed and timely responses to stakeholder correspondence and tenant enquiries.

Person specification

Essential skills

The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage;

• Strong copywriting and editing skills, ensuring clarity, accuracy and alignment with organisational tone.

• Translating technical language into clear simple copy for external copy, website and social channels. Ability to demonstrate consistency and transparency in stakeholder messaging

• Have an understanding and practical experience of developing and implementing low-cost/no-cost communications campaigns that target hard to reach audiences

• Ability to rebrand and modernise existing content in line with the PCA’s new brand identity and accessibility requirements. Maintain consistency across digital and print materials

• Track media coverage and social media trends relevant to organisational goals. Provide insights to guide communication strategy and maintain up to date knowledge of the regulated sector

• Using Drupal, or other website hosting platform, to ensure effective website creation and management

• Be a strong team player and a self-starter who is able to work flexibly and adapt to changes including supporting other areas of the PCA as needed

Desirable skills

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates;

• Have strong networking and personable skills to engage constructively with a wide range of external stakeholders
• Internal communications skills, including sharing staff updates, best practice and training
• Ability to draft initial strategy documents, including outlining objectives, scope, priorities and proposed approaches
• Skilled in drafting articles and developing press releases for external media

• Plan, script, and oversee production of promotional videos

• Planning and organisation of in-person and virtual events, interviews, and speaking opportunities

• Previous experience of working for or with a regulator would be beneficial, but not essential.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,391, Department for Business and Trade contributes £12,280 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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%

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements that relate to the essential criteria listed in this advert. Any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years should be explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.

A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.

Your application will be sifted against the Experience criteria of the Civil Service Success Profiles.

It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date, though this is subject to change.

We aim to sift both the CV and the Personal Statement but, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift may be conducted on the Personal Statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift of the Personal Statement will either progressed to a full sift where the CV is then assessed, or progressed straight to further assessment/interview.

Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to interview, where we will assess you on the Success Profiles elements of Behaviours and Experience.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
• Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
• A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
• Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
• Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

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.

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

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Alison Avery
• Email : Alison.Avery2@pubscodeadjudicator.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : s5management.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints.