Events and Engagement Officer

Job summary

Be part of the Government Communication Service (GCS)
This role sits within the Government Communication Service, the professional home for communicators across the Civil Service. You will be working in the Internal Communication discipline, helping to inform, engage and connect colleagues across your organisation. As part of this profession, you'll have access to a dedicated discipline network, cross-government development opportunities, and guidance to help you grow and excel in your career

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work flexibly and collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Job description

Join our friendly and collaborative communications team at the Planning Inspectorate, where we pride ourselves on being supportive colleagues who deliver excellent work together. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to shaping how we connect with our colleagues, bringing people together through well-planned, inclusive events that inform, inspire and engage.

You'll lead the planning and delivery of a wide range of events, from large staff conferences to workshops, briefings and ministerial visits. You'll manage logistics end to end: venues, suppliers, AV, accessibility, hybrid or remote event technical set up, attendee communications and on-the-day coordination. You'll work closely with colleagues across the organisation to design events that meet real objectives, manage budgets carefully, and evaluate feedback and data to make each event better than the last.

You're a natural organiser who thrives under pressure and takes pride in getting the details right. You're proactive, adaptable and confident managing multiple priorities at once. You can build strong relationships with internal teams, senior colleagues and the Board, as well as external stakeholders and suppliers, to support delivery of high quality internal and external events. You communicate clearly, with the audience always at front of mind. You care about inclusion and make sure everyone can participate fully in the events you deliver.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours per week. Compressed hours and flexible working policy available. Part time working at a minimum of 34 hours or above per week.

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based in Bristol, a 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train station, with an occasional requirement to travel within the UK to run events.
We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria and Success Profile elements listed

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience of planning and delivering high‑quality events and engagement activities in a professional environment, including managing logistics, suppliers, budgets and a range of stakeholders, with the ability to evaluate impact and drive continuous improvement.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate materials, represent the organisation confidently, and build strong, productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Proven organisational and co-ordination capability, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, adapt under pressure, and work effectively both independently and collaboratively to deliver high‑quality outcomes.

• Advanced digital and technical competence, including expert knowledge of delivering online and hybrid events using Microsoft Teams, proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), and confidence in learning new systems.

• High attention to detail and commitment to inclusive, well‑governed delivery, including sound budget management, compliance with financial procedures, knowledge of accessibility requirements, and a proactive, flexible approach to contributing expertise across an organisation.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in government, the public sector, within a communications or events role.
• Familiarity with project management, event management platforms, online registration systems, or intranets.
• Understanding of government communications frameworks, such as OASIS or campaign planning processes and evaluation methods.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,579, Planning Inspectorate contributes £10,886 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

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, Strengths and Experience.

Application

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
• Behaviour Examples:

Delivering at pace (250 words) Describe a specific example where you had to plan and deliver an event or project while managing competing priorities or working under pressure. What did you do and what was the outcome?

Communicating and influencing (250 words) Describe a specific example where you had to communicate complex or technical information to an audience who wasn't familiar with the subject. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?

If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application

• A Personal Statement (Lead Sift) (750 words max): Using specific examples, tell us how your skills and experience demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for this role, as listed in the job description.

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will:

• Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
• Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, strength, and technical questions
• Written Exercise

Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.

Other Information

Shortlist Date: 11- 15 May 2026

Interview Date: 01 - 05 June 2026

Interviews will be held remotely using MS Teams. The interview will not be recorded or retained, other than usual interview protocol and in line with Civil Service Jobs privacy notice.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Future matches

Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.

We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.

ID and documents

If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.

We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.

Visa sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.

Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable adjustments

The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers.

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 : Alex Port
• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission. https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitme…

Attachments

EVP(Great_Place_To_Work) Opens in new window (pdf, 534kB)