Role: Fixed term (at least 12 months with potential for extension), part time: 25 to 28 hours per week
Office base: Hybrid, dual location – Westminster in central London and your home address. You will work from the office from time to time. This will not follow a regular pattern as we get together as and when needed to meet business needs. Travel expenses from home to office are funded for required business travel. You must be willing and able to commute into the office as and when required.
Grade: Officer
Salary: £44,700 to £54,650 (pro rata) plus 10% non-contributory pension scheme and pro-rata 28 days leave per year plus bank holidays, and a range of optional benefits such as health cash plan and private medical insurance.
Reports to: Assistant Communications Manager
Please note, the recruitment for this role is being administered by the Local Government Association on behalf of Public Sector Audit Appointments
About PSAA
Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA) is an independent company limited by guarantee incorporated by the Local Government Association in August 2014.
We are a not-for-profit company with 35 employees and a Board of six directors.
In July 2016, the Government specified PSAA as an appointing person under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015. As an appointing person PSAA is responsible for appointing auditors, setting scales of fees for eligible bodies that have chosen to opt into its national scheme, overseeing issues of auditor independence and monitoring contract compliance of the audit firms with whom we contract.
For the period from 2023/24 to 2027/28, over 99% of local government bodies, such as local councils, police and fire bodies and national parks, opted to join our scheme rather than appoint their own auditor. In late 2022 we completed our very significant procurement of external audit services for the delivery of an annual audit for the next five years to over 450 local government bodies, our clients.
The company is staffed by a team with significant experience of working within the context of the regulations to appoint auditors, managing contracts with audit firms, and setting and determining audit fees, and a small team providing business and project support services.
In December 2024 the Government announced plans to create the Local Audit Office (LAO) and to transfer all PSAA’s functions into this new organisation. The date of transfer is likely to be between Autumn 2026 and April 2028. The government has begun early discussions with us about PSAA staff transferring into the LAO.
You can find out more about who we are and what we do in the About Us section of our website.
About The Role
This is not a typical Communications Officer role. We are looking to recruit a proactive, highly organised and experienced communications professional who enjoys operating as an all-rounder, to support the delivery of our critical communication and engagement workstreams as we prepare to transition to the LAO. Working collaboratively within a small and busy team, the role will focus on ensuring the smooth delivery of PSAA’s internal and external communication plans over a 12-to-18-month transition period.
Working closely with the Assistant Communications Manager, you will play a supporting role in keeping all stakeholders informed and engaged. You will help manage and maintain digital assets, contribute to the transition programme communications, and support efforts to uphold and enhance PSAA’s reputation.
This is a hands-on, varied role that requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple projects, a curious mindset and a flexible, can-do approach to problem-solving.
About You
Please read the attached job profile, and the role-specific behavioural competencies and technical proficiencies to find out more about the key responsibilities of this exciting new role and the skills and competencies we are looking for in the successful candidate.
You must have the right to work in the UK, PSAA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.
To apply
If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the requirements of the role using the skills described in the job profile, the behavioural competencies framework and technical proficiencies before the closing date.
We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria so ensure that you address them in your supporting statement:
Delivery of Communications – demonstrate your ability to deliver internal and external communication plans, including the creation and distribution of content across a variety of channels, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent, timely and engaging.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement - emphasise your exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including your ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels, adapt messaging for different audiences and proactively encourage feedback and dialogue.
Content Management and Digital Assets – detail your experience of managing content on digital platforms such as websites and social media accounts, including familiarity with content management systems. Describe your approach to auditing digital assets and your understanding of digital dependencies.
Written Communication and Attention to Detail - highlight your exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills, and your ability to produce highly accurate, clear and engaging content under pressure. Demonstrate your ability to maintain high standards of professionalism in all written outputs.
Project Support and Data Analysis – showcase your ability to manage multiple priorities, support cross-team projects and track actions and deadlines. Provide examples of how you analyse complex data and apply your IT and problem-solving skills to deliver effective communication outcomes.
Collaboration and Initiative - describe your experience of working flexibly and collaboratively across teams, building positive stakeholder relationships and contributing to a culture of trust and collaboration. Show how your curiosity, initiative and can-do attitude help you work independently while knowing when to seek advice.
PSAA values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names.
Please refer to the below documents for a detailed outline of the role.
