Media and External Affairs Officer Ref. 2751

Stonewall Top Employer AwardSocial Mobility Foundation AwardThe Times Top 100Disability confident leader

Specialist Roles
London
Full-time and part-time opportunities (flexible working hours available)
£64,575 - £66,804 depending on experience

About Us

MI5 safeguards the UK against threats such as terrorism, espionage, cyber and sabotage. We investigate suspect individuals and organisations in the UK to obtain, collate, analyse and assess secret intelligence relating to these threats. Alongside our British Intelligence partners MI6 and GCHQ, we provide the UK government with the information they need to protect national security. At MI5 you’ll enjoy varied and rewarding work in a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.


About the Role

We’re looking for an ambitious & innovative Media Relations & External Affairs professional to join a growing communications team with the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure.

The is an exciting time to be joining CPNI, as we embed a new Communications Strategy and build capability across the organisation. The successful individual will play a key role at CPNI in forging new communication partnerships and relationships to expand and grow the reach of our guidance and advice amongst priority audiences.

A dynamic and creative person, the successful candidate will shape the way CPNI communicates with its external audiences on high priority issues and campaigns.

The role is ideally suited to someone who likes working across multiple communications disciplines, with excellent judgment, an appreciation of other stakeholders’ perspectives and an eye for the news agenda.

They will be innovative in identifying new angles and ideas for how CPNI can effectively communicate its guidance and advice. Telling CPNI’s story in new and compelling ways to reach and resonate with new audiences in an impactful way.

Through the communication partnerships and relationships built, they will positively grow how CPNIs work is understood, talked about and its advice acted upon by priority audiences and sectors.

The day to day split of the focus on ‘External Affairs’ and ‘Media’ work will vary depending on priority campaigns and the associated communication plans the successful candidate will play a key part in helping to shape and develop.


Main responsibilities:

The Media & External Affairs Officer will:

 (Media)

   Work in an integrated way with our Campaigns and wider communications team.  You will identify & deliver opportunities to promote CPNI campaigns, guidance and advice through trade, specialist and online press.
   Advise colleagues on media relations and provide clear guidance on communications.  Write a range of briefings and communication materials.
   Ensure we are responsive and proactive in our communications and that we actively manage reputational issues and risk.

(External affairs)

   Build relationships with communication counterparts at external organisations with reach to our priority audiences. 
   Identify and deliver opportunities with external partners to amplify CPNI key messages, guidance and advice on other organisation’s channels.   
   Define and deliver the external affairs component of our broader Communications strategy, delivering measurable communications impact at pace that meets agreed communications objectives.
   Build relationships with peers and civil service colleagues across departments and agencies.
   Horizon scan for communications opportunities and risks for our relationships with key external stakeholders.


About You

   We would expect the individual to have experience of working in a challenging external facing communications role, with a demonstrable track record in media relations. 
   Previous experience in working with the media, journalists, and press.
   Accustomed to working on own initiative and be keen to adopt a proactive approach, investing the required time and effort to build positive working relationships with stakeholders.
   Experienced in identifying and building mutually beneficial communication partnerships with other organisations to reach new audiences. 
   Experience in managing relationships around complex issues.
   Alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit our work. 
   An enthusiastic team-player with a proactive and collaborative attitude.
   Excellent political awareness.
   Innovative, ability to think outside the box, excellent relationship skills.
   Interest in Communications and marketing and public relations


Training & Development

CPNI runs external course and events which the individual would be encouraged to attend to gain a better understanding of CPNI

Training as part of the job would also be made available to allow the individual to retain their skill set as well as management skills training.

There is also a full CPNI induction programme.


Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £64,575 - £66,804 (depending on skills and experience) plus other benefits including: 

   25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
   Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
   Interest-free season ticket loan
   Personal Learning Budget 
   Excellent pension scheme
   Cycle to work scheme
   Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
   Paid parental and adoption leave. 


Equal Opportunities

At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/diversity


We’re Disability Confident

MI5 are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme.  This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.  Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role.  This is our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are: 

   Passing the application sift carried out by the Hiring Manager


What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

   Initial application
   Full application
   Application sift, looking at your motivation for the role and the organisation
   Assessment centre
   If successful you will receive a conditional offer of employment, subject to vetting

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.


Before You Apply

To work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

The role with MI5 is based in London, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. An interest-free loan via our benevolent fund is available to assist with relocating into privately rented accommodation to take up the offer of employment. 

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member. 


Right to Withdraw Statement:

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. 

This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.