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Media Officer

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Media Officer – Department of Health and Social Care

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is recruiting Media Officers to join its Communications team in London or Leeds.

This is an opportunity for experienced communications, media, or public relations professionals to work in a fast-paced government communications environment.

Job Overview

Employer: Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
Job Title: Media Officer
Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Reference: 478975
Location: London or Leeds
Salary: £34,816 in Leeds / £39,202 in London
Additional Allowance: £5,000 Out-of-Hours Duty Allowance
Contract: Fixed-term, loan or secondment
Duration: 12 months
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, job share and flexible working
Positions Available: 2
Business Area: DHSC – Group Operations – Communications
Closing Date: 11:55 pm, Wednesday 16 September 2026

About the Role

The DHSC Communications team is looking for Media Relations Officers who can confidently work with journalists, prepare press releases, support high-profile campaigns and produce occasional digital content.

The successful candidates will help shape news coverage, respond to media enquiries, monitor traditional and social media, rebut inaccuracies and keep ministers and senior advisers informed as stories develop.

Applicants should have substantial demonstrable experience in media, public relations or communications.

Key Responsibilities

The Media Officer will:

  • Respond to journalists and manage media enquiries.
  • Monitor news coverage and social media.
  • Ensure the DHSC’s position is accurately reflected in media coverage.
  • Rebut inaccuracies and misinformation.
  • Brief ministers, senior officials and advisers on emerging media issues.
  • Identify reputational risks and proactive communications opportunities.
  • Support ministers with communications relating to their policy responsibilities.
  • Accompany ministers at interviews, visits and events where required.
  • Develop proactive media announcements supporting departmental priorities.
  • Participate in out-of-hours and shift rotas.
  • Build strong relationships with journalists and communications teams across government.
  • Work with arm’s-length bodies and partner organisations to coordinate communications.
  • Help plan and evaluate communications activity in line with Government Communications Service standards.
  • Use audience insight to develop effective communications.
  • Develop basic social media, video and photography skills to support ministerial activity.

Essential Skills and Experience

Candidates should demonstrate:

  • Substantial experience in media, public relations or communications.
  • Experience delivering proactive and reactive, audience-focused communications.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • The ability to communicate effectively with different audiences.
  • The ability to remain calm under pressure.
  • Strong workload management and prioritisation skills.
  • Experience using evaluation to improve communications.
  • The ability to build and maintain professional networks.
  • Experience developing and delivering creative campaigns using audience insight.

Salary and Out-of-Hours Allowance

The salary is:

Leeds: £34,816 per year

London: £39,202 per year

The HEO Media Officer position also attracts a non-contractual £5,000 annual Out-of-Hours Duty Allowance.

The allowance is pensionable and subject to annual review. The role requires participation in an out-of-hours rota and regular unsocial working, which may include mornings, evenings and weekends.

Working Arrangements

The normal contractual workplace will be either London or Leeds.

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DHSC currently offers non-contractual hybrid working, with an expectation that employees spend at least 60% of their working time in the office.

Some homeworking may be available, subject to individual circumstances and business requirements.

The role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Some travel across the DHSC estate may also be required.

Behaviours Assessed

Candidates will be assessed against:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Working Together

Technical Assessment

Candidates will receive a scenario shortly before the interview.

No preparation is required beforehand. Candidates will prepare and present the scenario at the beginning of the interview.

The technical assessment will consider writing ability, judgement and the ability to communicate effectively.

Application Process

Applications will be assessed using the Civil Service Success Profiles framework.

Application sift: Week commencing 21 September 2026
Interview: Week commencing 5 October 2026
Interview format: Video interview

Applications will initially be assessed on:

  • CV
  • Personal Statement

The personal statement must be no more than 500 words and should explain how your experience meets the key skills and experience requirements listed in the vacancy.

Civil Service Pension and Benefits

Successful candidates will have access to a Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Other benefits include:

  • Learning and development tailored to the role.
  • Flexible working options.
  • An inclusive working environment.
  • Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
  • Annual leave of 25 days on entry, increasing to a maximum of 30 days with service.
  • King’s Birthday privilege leave.
  • 37-hour working week for full-time staff.
  • Occupational sick pay.
  • Six-month probation period.

Security Requirements

Successful applicants must undergo the required pre-employment checks.

The role requires:

  • Basic or equivalent criminal record check.
  • Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
  • Internal Fraud Database checks as part of pre-employment screening.

Nationality Requirements

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:

  • UK nationals.
  • Republic of Ireland nationals.
  • Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
  • Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and qualifying family members with relevant EUSS status.
  • Individuals with eligible limited or indefinite leave to remain.
  • Eligible Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Applicants should check the official Civil Service nationality requirements before applying.

Artificial Intelligence and Applications

Candidates may use artificial intelligence tools to support their application, but all information, examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and based on their own experience.

Applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.

Important Information

The roles are currently expected to continue beyond 31 March 2027, but DHSC and NHS England integration may result in changes to organisational structures, reporting lines, teams or workforce requirements.

The temporary arrangement may therefore end earlier than expected.

A reserve list may also be maintained for up to 12 months, allowing further appointments to be made where similar vacancies arise.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy.

Job Reference: 478975
Closing Date: 16 September 2026 at 11:55 pm

Official application:
https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?jcode=2012164

Important: Check the full vacancy requirements, eligibility criteria and application instructions before submitting your application.

Final Reminder

This vacancy is particularly suited to applicants with professional experience in media relations, public relations, communications, press relations or communications campaigns.

 

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