Prison Digital & Communications Manager-HMP Woodhill

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

The successful candidate will be responsible for writing our communications strategy, as well as overseeing the planning and production of our internal comms, (both written and visual) including staff & prisoner notices and newsletters, posters and external comms via our twitter account. We are looking to provide communication which is timely, consistent and meets the needs of our closed community.

As part of the application process, please send an example of visuals to evidence your technical skill, which should be sent to commsWoodhill@justice.gov.uk by the same closing date. This will inform the sift process alongside your application form.

As part of the interview process, candidates who are sifted will be asked to share a case study, (based on a provided written brief) to show-case your ability to create impactful digital communications and written word. This should last no more than (7-10) minutes. In addition to sharing your creative visuals, we are keen to understand your translation of the brief, purpose of the comms, audience, messaging, content curation, intended response/reaction and success measures/outcomes. The prepared case-study must be sent to commsWoodhill@justice.gov.uk by 20:00hrs, the day before the interview.

HMP Woodhill IT platform uses Microsoft 365, including Microsoft Sway which allows both photos and MP4 content alongside prose. We have recently purchased a range of equipment that allows us to create media content for podcasts and vlogs.

Overview of the job

As the Prison Digital & Communications Manager, the job holder will play a key role in driving the future of digital services and technology in prisons and helping to modernise the prison service.

The job holder will be responsible for managing digital and technology user adoption and engagement on site, and planning and producing high-quality local digital communications content.

This is a non-operational role in a prison environment with people management responsibilities (1-2 direct reports).

Summary

The job holder will manage digital and technology adoption and engagement locally, and champion user needs across all groups.

They will also work closely with staff, residents, and the central Hub team to plan, design and produce local digital communications and engagement content. They will be responsible for identifying opportunities for digital services, digital content and technology to improve operational efficiency, staff experience, and resident experience.

They will be accountable for delivering a set of operational targets for digital and technology management and support on site, and support central teams to measure benefits.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

Local Digital Communications Management:

· Defining local communication requirements and working with SMT, residents and the central Content Designer to build a roadmap for local digital content.

· Creating high-quality written, visual and audio content to communicate local news, events and updates, via the Hub (our digital communications platform), creating a strong brand for local prison communications.

· Adhering to government and industry guidelines on publishing and maintaining content and reviewing page analytics and feedback to evaluate content success and engagement.

Prison Digital Services & Technology Management:

· Delivering site-level digital and technology related operational performance targets, preparing a monthly report to identify and escalate any issues, risks and/or opportunities.

· Working with SMT, HMPPS and MOJ to contribute to Digital and Technology roadmap and priorities and identifying and escalating site needs.

· Supporting the central MOJ D&T in the design and delivery of new digital services and technology programmes.

User Management:

· Managing staff within the digital change network, building knowledge, keeping them engaged and training them to support current and future digital services and technology programmes.

· Leading engagement, support and training for staff and residents to ensure the safe, secure and effective use of digital services and technology on site.

Operational Security:

· Communicating and advocating device related guidance with residents and staff, escalating when policies or procedures are not being followed.

· Working with staff and residents to reduce rates of improper use of devices and/or digital services and reduce rates of intentional damage.

The job holder will be expected to lead daily stand-ups, attend the prison morning meeting with senior staff, conduct monthly operational review meetings, attend weekly hub team meetings, and lead digital change network meetings.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Behaviours

· Communicating and Influencing

· Working Together

· Delivering at Pace

· Managing a Quality Service

Experience

Essential:

· Proficient writing skills

· Experience in written, audio and video communications

· Experience filming and editing audio and visual content Desirable:

· Experience working within a prison establishment

· Experience working with Digital and Technology

· Experience in content planning

· Experience with Content Management Systems

· Experience in Project Management