Job summary
The successful candidate will hold a key role in Television and Broadcasting team (TVB). The team is responsible for a wide range of high profile policy areas including supporting the UK broadcasting sectors to adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing media environment, engaging with public service and international broadcasters and on-demand providers, and ensuring appropriate regulation and protections for audiences.
The TV and Broadcasting team sits within the wider Media and International Directorate (MINT) which covers a broad range of work on sectors including: TV, radio, press, and advertising; as well as having a key role leading the department’s international work.
We pride ourselves on our inclusive and respectful team environment, with ample opportunities to get involved in corporate work such as our social committee and staff networks. Our staff survey scores show positive engagement in all areas, with a high level of interest in our work.
Job description
This is an exciting and stretching senior policy role working in the Content Policy Team. This role will consider the current and future needs of UK audiences, the role of regulation, and the position of the television and video-on-demand sectors, to develop and deliver evidence-based policy.
The successful candidate will also contribute to wider work relating to content policy. This includes supporting work on a range of topical and reactive issues with significant political interest and exposure; leading on emerging policy priorities; and responding to Ministerial and Parliamentary requests.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to further their experience of policy development and delivery, while working on a high profile policy area, with the potential to have a positive impact on people’s lives across the UK.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead on developing and implementing policy around unregulated internet TV channels – including publishing policy statements and accompanying secondary legislation and impact assessments.
- Supporting work to implement enhanced regulation of video-on-demand services (e.g. ITVX) following Royal Assent of the Media Act 2024.
- Leading policy development on the future of content regulation and to improve the accessibility of TV and on-demand services (e.g. subtitling).
- Lead engagement work with key stakeholders including Ofcom, other departments and industry players to understand and fill the gaps in our evidence base.
- Lead on relevant content (TV and video-on-demand) Parliamentary Questions, briefing, correspondence etc.
Person specification
The ideal candidate will have the following key skills and experience:
Essential requirements:
- Experience developing evidence-based recommendations for senior leaders, supported by strong data analysis and research skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex issues confidently.
- Ability to manage multiple sets of work at once, prioritise effectively and be flexible in responding to new and changing priorities.
- Ability to work at pace on complex issues, problem solve effectively, and deliver through a number of different partners and teams.
- Ability to work collaboratively with both colleagues and external stakeholders, build effective partnerships, and use these to deliver organisational goals.
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Harry Burt (Head of TV Content and Distribution Policy), and will take place on 1pm, 28 August 2024.
The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.
Please register your interest by filling out this form and you will be sent an invitation.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
- Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working – DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
- 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
- Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
- 3 days of paid volunteering leave
- Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
- Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
- Occupational sick pay
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
- Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
- Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
- Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply for this vacancy, you will need to submit the following documents which will assessed against the experience success profile:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the “Job History” section on Civil Service Jobs on the Civil Service Jobs application form.
- A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted.
For the shortlist, we will assess your experience and select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability. Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.
For support in writing your application and interviewing, please refer to the ‘Application and Interview Guidance’ document attached to the job advert.
The interview process will assess behaviours and strengths and potentially include a presentation.
The behaviours to be tested at interview are:
- Seeing the big picture
- Communicating and influencing
- Making effective decisions
- Delivering at pace
You will not be made aware of the strengths being assessed prior to your interview.
As part of your interview, you may be asked to deliver a short oral presentation. Full details of this, including the topic, and whether or not you will need to use
visual aids, will be sent to you prior to your interview.
Your interview will take place remotely via GoogleMeets.
For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.
Further Information
If the vacancy is offered as FTA/Loan, existing Civil Servants must join on a Loan basis only., Prior agreement to be released on loan must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Department for Culture, Media and Sport from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the ‘Information for Applicants’ document.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process.
In order to request an adjustment, please:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or a verbal test rather than a written one.
Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the ‘contact point for applicants’ section of the job advert.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Harry Burt
- Email : harry.burt@dcms.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/