Senior Information Officer – Childcare and Early Years

Purpose of post

The Social Justice and Equality Communications Team leads the planning and delivery of strategic communications and marketing activity that supports Welsh Government priorities across a broad range of social justice, equality, and childcare policies. The team works closely with policy officials, Ministers, stakeholders and communication professionals to develop effective communications that inform, engage and influence target audiences. 

The Senior Information Officer (SIO) will play a leading role in the development, commissioning, delivery and evaluation of integrated marketing and communications campaigns and wider communications activity. They will provide expert communications and marketing advice, ensuring that activity is strategically aligned, insight-driven, cost-effective and delivers measurable outcomes. 

The postholder will be the communications lead for the Welsh Government's expansion of funded childcare, providing strategic communications support for one of the government's key policy commitments. They will lead the development and delivery of communications relating to the rollout of childcare provision across Wales, working closely with Local Authorities, delivery partners and stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach. In addition, they will lead communications activity across wider Children and Early Years policy areas, ensuring communication strategies support policy objectives and public understanding. 

Key tasks

As communications lead for the Welsh Government's expansion of funded childcare, you will be expected to: 

• Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of integrated communications and childcare marketing campaigns, working closely with policy officials, press office and other communications disciplines. 

• Develop strategic communications plans and coordinate communications activity to support the successful rollout of childcare provision across Wales 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Local Authorities and other key stakeholders, meeting regularly with childcare and communications leads to ensure a coordinated approach to campaign planning and delivery. 

• Develop communication and marketing strategies informed by audience insight, behavioural evidence, evaluation findings and organisational priorities. 

• Commission and manage communications and marketing activity, including the development of briefs, specifications and procurement documentation, budget management and contract oversight, ensuring value for money and effective use of resources. 

• Advise and brief Ministers, Special Advisers and senior officials on communications plans, emerging issues, campaign performance and evaluation findings. 

• Identify upcoming communication opportunities and risks through horizon scanning, developing proactive communications plans and clear narratives to support key policy announcements. 

• Ensure robust evaluation frameworks are in place for all campaigns and wider communications activity; using data and insight to measure impact, demonstrate outcomes and inform future activity. 

Development opportunities

This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop and strengthen expertise across a broad range of communications disciplines within a high-profile policy area. This role will also develop along with the new government vision, as policy delivery progresses. This role will have an element of the incumbent shaping it to support the policy as required.

The successful postholder will gain experience in: 

• Strategic communications and marketing campaign planning and delivery. 

• Campaign procurement, commissioning and contract management. 

• Campaign measurement, evaluation and evidence-based decision making. 

• Behaviour change communications and the use of audience insight to influence outcomes. 

• Ministerial and senior stakeholder engagement, including briefing and advisory responsibilities. 

• Leadership and people management through line management, coaching and staff development. 

• Partnership working and stakeholder engagement across government, public sector and third-sector organisations. 

• Developing communication strategies aligned to organisational and policy objectives. 

• Project management methodologies and risk management techniques. 

• Applying inclusive leadership behaviours and creating positive, collaborative working environments. 

Other vacancy related information

• While this job is classed as Pan Wales, the Minister and policy team are based in Cardiff and attendance will be required on a regular basis.
• In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months. 
• Whilst not essential, Welsh language skills would be beneficial for this role. Candidates who identify Welsh language proficiency within the evidence provided in their application should be aware that these skills may be tested at interview to assess their level of competence. Where candidates achieve the same assessment score, Welsh language proficiency may be taken into consideration when determining the final merit order.