Closing Date:
02/10/2024

Group:
Online Safety Group

Management Level:
Senior Associate

Job Type:
Permanent

Job Description:

Please note this role will close at 00.01 on 2nd October so we advise making your application by midnight on the 1st October.

About Ofcom

As the UK's communications regulator, we are delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we will stay connected with each other.

Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We are also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone.

Job Description

Almost every part of our lives is now online. As well as bringing many benefits, there are also real risks posed online by harmful or illegal activity - from hate speech to bullying and harassment to child sexual exploitation, and more. The UK Government has appointed Ofcom as the new regulator for online safety. There has never been a more meaningful time to join Ofcom on our mission to create a safer life online.

About the Team

The Online Safety Technology team conducts research to build knowledge and understanding in subject areas fundamental to online safety. This includes, for example, AI and machine learning, digital identity, privacy enhancing technologies, decentralisation, user experience, gaming, network infrastructure, and digital forensics. The team provides technical expertise to policy, supervision and enforcement colleagues in the wider Online Safety Group, and others in Ofcom, during policy development processes and industry engagement activities.

The Online Safety Technology Team works with colleagues across the organisation and with external stakeholders to continually develop the skills and understanding required to ensure Ofcom keeps pace with the rapid rate of change and innovation in online and trust and safety technologies.

The team's mission is to monitor, engage and shape development of technologies that provide trust and safety for citizens online; and structure standards/best practice to promote innovation and influence service design, benefitting both citizens and industry as outputs inform Ofcom's regulatory approach.

Purpose of the Role:

As a Senior Associate in the Online Safety Technology team, you will play a crucial role in developing and managing a programme of work that supports Ofcom's strategic objectives in online safety. You will ensure the alignment of the team's efforts with Ofcom's broader Online Safety Group, actively identifying risks and implementing solutions. You will also contribute to operations, business planning, stakeholder engagement, and communication strategies.

The successful candidate will be accountable for managing the Online Safety Technology Director's day to day programme of work and ensuring this continually ties into the wider Online Safety programme of work. This role will need to pro-actively identify risks and escalate items where appropriate, working across the Team.

They will support the Team Director and wider OST Team with aspects of operations including administrative support, risk management, business planning, analysis/reporting, communications and liaison, contingency planning, finance and staff skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the work programme for the OST Director, ensuring efficient time management and preparedness for internal and external meetings.
• Develop and execute the OST team's quarterly business reviews and objectives, ensuring alignment with Ofcom's strategic priorities.
• Support the Director in managing stakeholder relationships and coordinating internal and external engagements.
• Identify and mitigate risks in the programme of work, proactively addressing any emerging issues.
• Collaborate with the Online Safety Group to ensure cross-functional alignment on priorities and strategy.
• Design and execute engagement plans for both internal and external stakeholders, tailoring communications and reporting outcomes.
• Support in organising OST team away days and ensuring the team's programme of work contributes to broader organisational goals.
• Oversee team meetings and manage actions to ensure progress on key initiatives.
• Contribute to creating and implementing communication strategies, in partnership with Ofcom's communications team, to ensure clarity and transparency in the flow of information.

The skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success

• Executing Plans: Organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Experience in project management, with the ability to execute plans, manage resources, and track progress against goals. Experience in developing and implementing business processes and communication strategies to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
• Building Solutions: Proven decision-making skills, using evidence-based methods to solve problems and make well-informed recommendations.
• Articulating Ideas: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical issues to non-technical audiences.
• Forming Relationship: Demonstrated ability to build and nurture positive relationships with stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Empowering development: Strong leadership skills with the ability to empower and mentor team members, fostering a culture of growth and development.

Distressing Content Material

• Applicants should be aware that a key element of this role will be assessing and investigating complaints about audio-visual content. This may include potentially distressing content and material and/or themes.
• Ofcom is committed to safeguarding our colleagues who undertake this type of work. We endeavour to reduce exposure to distressing content, material, and/or themes wherever possible. Where this isn't possible, we control the risk by ensuring that colleagues who are exposed to DCM are appropriately protected and supported. We offer a range of tailored support options, psychological screening assessments and access to specialist therapeutic support where required.

Inclusivity:

Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do.

Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible - no matter your gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or social background.

Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs.

We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break - for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at #removed# or call #removed#.

As a Disability Confident employer, we offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our advertised roles. When you apply, you can let us know if you would like your application to be considered under this scheme (sometimes known as 'guaranteed interview scheme'). Find out more about the scheme here: https://#removed#/about-ofcom/jobs/disability-confident-scheme

Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible - no matter your social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability.

Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs.

We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break - for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at #removed# or call #removed#.

As a Disability Confident employer, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here. https://careers.ofcom.org.uk/careers/how-we-hire/