Job Title: Communications Officer
Band D: The starting salary is £40,519, which includes allowances totalling £3,009.
The salary is broken down as £37,510. basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £40,141. Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: Remote working nationally within UK. NPCC is currently based in close proximity to St James’ Park Underground Station, London and therefore occasional travel will be required to this premise and other Police locations 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 COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
The NPCC Communications Team plays a crucial role in communicating the collective views and action of UK police chiefs to the public, government, and stakeholders, building and maintaining confidence in policing at the national level and supporting effective engagement with stakeholders.
THE ROLE
To support the delivery of external, internal and digital communications activity that promotes the work and priorities of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). This role will contribute to proactive and reactive media engagement, digital communications, stakeholder engagement and communications campaigns, helping to build public trust and confidence in policing. Working as part of the NPCC Communications Team, the post holder will support the delivery of high-quality communications across owned and non-owned channels, contributing to the management of sensitive and high-profile issues with national significance.
The successful candidate would need to have the following experiences and skills:
- Knowledge of external, internal and digital communications channels and how they can be used effectively to engage different audiences.
- Awareness of current affairs, the media landscape and the challenges facing modern policing.
- Ability to adapt messaging and content for different channels and audiences, including media, digital and internal communications.
- Good digital communications skills, including the use of social media, websites and multimedia content to support engagement and storytelling.
- At least one year's experience working within a communications, media, public affairs or related environment within a large organisation with a significant public profile.
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/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.
Please note, the job description is used as a framework to review and manage performance when an individual is in post, and therefore not all knowledge, skills and experience are required from the outset. We are looking for someone who can demonstrate some of these and is willing to learn and achieve objectives set.
- We deliver, support and inspire, Level 2 - Give an example of when you have used effective communication to respond to a challenging, sensitive or fast-moving situation. Explain how you adapted your approach. Dealt with any obstacles and helped achieve a positive outcome.
- We are collaborative, Level 2 – Give an example of when you have worked with colleagues or stakeholders to deliver a piece of work or communications activity. Explain how you built a shared understanding, managed different needs or views and contributed to the outcome.
- We are innovative and open minded, Level 2 – Describe a time when you identified a way to improve a process, a piece of work or communications activity. Explain what you suggested or changes, how you adapted your approach and what difference it made.
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.
REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS
With all recruitment processes, we support reasonable adjustments. This aligns with the Equality Act 2010 and reflects best practice in inclusive recruitment. Please let us know in advance so we can support you appropriately. See the following examples of adjustments recommended by Optima Medical Team for prior candidates.
- Assistive technology e.g. transcription software
- Advance access to interview questions
- Extra time for assessments and interviews
IMPORTANT NOTICE FAIR RECRUITMENT COMMITMENT / INTERVIEW CONDUCT
We ask all candidates to complete interviews and assessments independently, without the use of AI, automated tools, or external assistance.
However, we recognise that AI can be a helpful tool in the preparation phase of the application process. Candidates may use AI to help structure their thoughts and refine their CVs providing the content remains truthful and accurately reflects their own experiences and capabilities.
Should you require assistive technology as part of a reasonable adjustment (e.g. transcription software), please let us know in advance so we can support you appropriately.
We value honesty, integrity, transparency, and personal accountability. Demonstrating these qualities throughout the recruitment process is essential.
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.
This role does not attract Shift Disturbance Allowance. If you are currently in a shift-working role, SDA should cease upon appointment to this job.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 18th October.
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 19th October.
Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview.
Please note that if you are applying as a secondee from another national police force or government organisation, please contact HR-Recruitment@npcc.police.uk, do not apply online via Oleeo. 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/.
