Communications Manager

From £37,471 per annum pro-rata

Location: Edinburgh - While the role will primarily be based in Edinburgh there is flexibility for hybrid working. Reserve applicants will be identified to be considered for similar posts that may arise elsewhere within reasonable travelling distance of Edinburgh over the next 12 months. 

Contract type: Fixed term (5 months) – This post will be in place for five months in order to test the business viability of a job share arrangement in relation to the role of Communications Manager to the Council. 

Hours and days of work: 21 hours per week as part of a job share: Monday, Tuesday and Friday

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service a great place to work, learn and develop

ABOUT SCTS

SCTS plays a key role in the administration of justice. We fulfil our purpose by providing the people, buildings and services needed to support the judiciary, the courts, devolved tribunals and OPG. Our work focuses on improving access to justice, reducing delay and cost within the justice system, modernising our services in line with reform, and using leading technology to improve our services for everyone. 

The Judicial Office for Scotland are seeking applications for the right candidate to join them as Communications Manager within the Scottish Sentencing Council on a fixed-term, part time (21h) job share basis for 5 months. 

The Scottish Sentencing Council is an independent advisory body made up of judges and representatives from across the justice sector. Among its varied work, it prepares sentencing guidelines for the criminal courts and raises awareness of sentencing across Scotland. This is an exciting time to join the Council as it develops sentencing guidelines on topics including sexual offences, domestic abuse, sentencing for guilty pleas, environment and wildlife, and sentencing and mental health. 

What will your role involve? 

Working as part of a job share, you will act as the principal source of communications support to the Council, and will play a lead role in managing its public profile. You will work to significantly increase the promotion, awareness and understanding of sentencing across Scotland using a variety of approaches. 

You will be responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive and wide-ranging communications and engagement strategy which includes a focus on three specific areas: sexual offences and gender-based violence; sentencing practice; and sentencing and mental health. You will work proactively and positively with the media, justice partners, and other stakeholders to promote awareness amongst the public as well as practitioners, policymakers and those with experience of the criminal justice system. You will have responsibility for social media content, and key website development. This will involve:

·        proactive media and social media campaigns;

·        supporting the development of educational resources; and

·        assisting with organising conferences and events.

 You will also provide support to the Council’s dedicated Communications Committee in all aspects of its work. 

What will you bring to the role?

Essential criteria

·        With professional communications and media handling experience, you will have excellent oral and written communications skills, including experience of drafting and delivering a variety of material to different audiences across a range of media and platforms.

·        You will have experience of website development or content management systems and working experience of social media management.

·        You will have the ability to master new factual material quickly, providing advice to tight deadlines, and will be creative and open to new ideas and ways of working.

·        You will have excellent interpersonal skills to support productive working relationships, be comfortable working with senior office bearers, and have the ability to offer constructive challenge where appropriate.

·        Acting both autonomously and with colleagues to ensure deadlines are met, you will be pro-active and work flexibly to shape objectives and manage priorities.

·        You will understand the principles underpinning judicial independence, have political acuity, and have an awareness and understanding of the criminal justice system and the issues affecting those involved in it.

·        Desirable criteria

·        An understanding and awareness of parliamentary processes, and Scottish criminal law is desirable.

·        Experience of supporting a Board, or similar group, in reaching decisions collectively is desirable.

·        Proficient use of Umbraco and InDesign is desirable. Supported learning will be provided.

 Minimum qualification requirements and/or experience required

·        You will have both communications training and practical experience. 

To apply, please visit our website. 

Closing date: 24 November 2024.

Interviews will be held week commencing 2 December 2024. 

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is exempt from the protections of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This permits us to ask applicants details of both spent and unspent convictions, along with details of any formal cautions that you may have. Individuals without existing security clearance will always be considered as all successful applicants will require a standard level Disclosure check completed before employment can commence.