Careers
COI aims to recruit retain and develop people who share our values and meet our high standards of service.
To do this, the Human Resources team provides effective recruitment, performance management, reward and work/life balance solutions that attract people who are right for COI's business.
We are committed to staff development and have a Staff Development Services team dedicated to providing staff with the development they need in order to deliver the vision to be the centre of marketing excellence for government.
COI has held Investors in People accreditation since 1999 and has been listed in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to work for in four of the last five years.
Human Resources and Staff Development Services' role is to lead learning in COI, creating a culture where people take responsibility for their own learning, share it with others and are supported by the organisation.
For details of COI's vacancies and how to apply, please visit the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway and use COI in the Search Filter.
GovGap
GovGap is a new service from COI and offers easy and flexible access to interim communications roles in government departments and agencies.
This information is for people interested in applying to register with GovGap; for information on using the GovGap service to meet your recruitment needs, please see the COI HR and Development Services page.
The pace of change within government can be fast. As a result, departments often need access to talented and experienced communications professionals to fill short or long term gaps.
If you've always had an ambition to make a difference in government, now is the time to join our pool of talented professionals. If you have communications skills and expertise plus a record of achieving results, we can find you an exciting and challenging role.
GovGap currently provides government departments with communications professionals to meet the needs of government departments by providing press officers, strategists, researchers, marketeers and internal communications experts.
Below are some comments on candidates we have recently placed.
Commission for Equality and Human Rights - Communications Strategy and Development Consultant
GovGap placed Stephen Brunt at the Commission for Equality and Human Rights in Manchester to help set up their communications department. Stephen said:
"Being embedded in the Commission gave me a fresh insight and the opportunity to learn more about their vital remit of bringing together strands of equality and linking them to human rights, something that affects us all. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the client, focus on implementation, and make sure that communications are at the heart of the organisation from the start."
Department of Health - Senior Campaign Manager
Peta Simey was able to develop her understanding of policy via a GovGap opportunity at the Department of Health. She worked on a sexual health campaign targeting 18 to 24-year olds. Peta commented:
"I now appreciate how many different viewpoints need be taken into account and this GovGap role has given me a real insight into how the Department of Health works."
Army - Regional Marketing Manager
James Pearson is working as one of the Army's Regional Marketing Managers. He comments on his GovGap experience:
"The recruitment process was seamless and efficient. As my contract is with COI, it means I receive a good benefits package including low-contributory pension and the corporate annual bonus.
"I had a two-day induction where I met key HQ and agency staff and experienced Army selection procedures first-hand. This included completing various command tasks such as getting equipment across 'mine fields' and 'swollen rivers' and lobbing grenades at the enemy. All great fun, though it took me several days to recover!"
If you would like to register with GovGap, send a copy of your CV to govgap@coi.gsi.gov.uk and one of the team will be in touch to discuss current opportunities.
Alternatively you can contact GovGap on 020 7921 2744.
Graduate Recruitment Scheme
Each year, COI looks for a handful of outstanding graduates to join our exciting graduate programme. This group of exceptional candidates works alongside and learns from some of the most talented and dedicated people working in government communications. Graduates rotate around key teams within the COI and gain a broad understanding of the innovative and exciting strategies COI uses to meet the challenges facing government communications in the 21st Century.
The deadline for applications for 2009 has now closed.
