Job Title: Communications Officer – Hydrant Programme
Salary: The starting salary is £37,510.
The salary is broken down as £37,510 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £40,141.
Location: Remote working nationally within UK. The Hydrant Programme is currently based at Moss Way Police Station, Moss Way, Sheffield, S20 7XX. As such, occasional travel to this location will be required. In addition, travel may be necessary to the NPCC office, currently situated near St James's Park Underground Station in London, as well as to other police premises across the UK. We encourage applications from candidates living across the UK. Further details on flexible arrangements will be discussed at interview stage.
Contract – Fixed Term Contract until 31/03/2027 (with the potential for further extension subject to funding and performance).
THE NATIONAL POLICE CHIEFS’ COUNCIL (NPCC)
Policing is operating in a time of global change and uncertainty, the public and our staff need a service which is responsive, able to tackle future challenges and embrace opportunity.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) brings UK police leaders together to set direction in policing and drive progress for the public.
We achieve this through:
- Coordination – by joining up the operational response to critical national policing issues to deliver policing today and shape the future.
- Collaboration – by working in partnership as part of the whole policing system and beyond to improve public safety.
- Communication – by sharing the collective expertise, views and action of UK police chiefs.
NPCC - HYDRANT PROGRAMME
The Hydrant Programme is a national policing programme supporting the work of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Child Protection and Abuse Investigation Working Group. Originally established in 2014 to coordinate the response to non-recent child sexual abuse but now supporting forces across all child protection and abuse investigation issues.
Hydrant develops policy and strategy on behalf of the NPCC, develops and delivers best practice advice including a learning, review and improvement function, provides a strategic analysis capability and partnership engagement with key stakeholders and partners.
THE ROLE
The successful candidate would need to have the following experiences and skills:
- A comprehensive understanding and applied knowledge of communication principles, public relations practices, and media relations.
- Highly Proficient in creating engaging and informative content for various platforms, including press releases, newsletters, and social media platforms including but not limited to LinkedIn, website content management systems and Youtube.
- Familiarity with issues related to child protection and abuse investigation, particularly within the context of law enforcement.
- Exceptional ability to convey information clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats including in email, press releases and PR/Digital content.
- Strong organisational abilities, attention to detail and quality, and capability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - If you join and work for us, you will get access to:
- A competitive salary with yearly increments.
- Support networks, free Employees' Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
- Flexitime, with the ability to undertake your hours flexibly and in line with business need.
- Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely dependent on role.
- Competitive pension scheme.
- Company sick pay.
- Job related equipment supplied.
- Specialist equipment supplied, under Occupational Health referral.
- Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one-off payment of £5).
- Development, coaching and mentoring opportunities available.
- Supportive and flexible onboarding plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
VETTING
Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo RV and CTC level before taking up the post.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Please provide a CV and evidence against the following competencies, (350 words maximum per competency) which are based on the knowledge, skills and experience set out in the job description and the competencies in the Competency and Values Framework (CVF). Please note, CV’s will not be assessed within the initial application, answers to the CVF questions alone determine next steps. Once candidates identified for interview has been confirmed, CV’s will then be shared with the appropriate Hiring Manager.
- We are collaborative, Level 2 - Can you describe a time when you worked closely with others to achieve a goal? Please explain how you built rapport, communicated clearly, and supported colleagues to ensure a shared understanding and a positive outcome.
- We are emotionally aware, Level 2 - Can you describe a time when you had to stay calm and respectful in a challenging or emotionally charged situation? Describe how you managed your own emotions, understood the perspectives of others, and communicated clearly to achieve a positive outcome.
- We take ownership, Level 2 - Describe a time when you took responsibility for solving a problem or improving a situation. How did you show enthusiasm for delivering a high-quality service, seek or give feedback, and take ownership of your actions, especially if things didn’t go to plan?
Should you want to know more about the role, we would strongly encourage you contact hr-recruitment@npcc.police.uk to arrange an informal conversation.
- Please do not attach 2 copies of your CV.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Occasional national travel may be required. Travel expenses will be paid if location allowance is not being received, or when travel falls outside of the home to work journey. NPCC will pay for overnight accommodation if required.
The Metropolitan Police manage HR for NPCC recruitment.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 15th March 2026.
Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence from 16th March 2026.
Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates are to be confirmed.
Online applications will only be accepted for external candidates, or existing Met employees. If you are external to policing, please ensure you apply through the External Oleeo link available via - https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/c/careers/police-staff-roles/police-staff-vacancies/.
