£40,014 - £42,859
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
London
Region
London
Closing Date
12-Oct-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
22719
Job description
Intro: The Law Commission is recruiting permanently for a HEO Publications Officer in the Communications team. This is a role for someone who takes pride in getting things right — who understands the importance of a well-designed, produced, and accessible document.
The Law Commission offers an unrivalled opportunity to work on some of the most complex legal and policy questions facing our society. It offers stretching, high quality work, the chance to make a positive difference to our society, access to fulfilling learning and development, and a positive work-life balance.
The Commission has, for 60 years, had a unique role – independent, but at the heart of Government. Its aims are:
The Law Commission is an independent non-departmental body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. It has a judicial Chair, four Commissioners, and around 80 members of staff. Its work is organised into four areas: Property, Family and Trust Law; Commercial and Common Law; Public Law and the Law in Wales; and Criminal Law.
Further information about the Law Commission and its work can found at www.lawcom.gov.uk/.
Further information can be found at https://lawcom.gov.uk/working-at-law-commission/.
The Communications Team sits within the wider Corporate Services Team. It is a small, friendly, expert team working across all communications channels; website, intranet, social media, press and media. We work closely with teams across the Law Commission to advise and implement communications plans. In the team, ideas are heard, and the work is genuinely interesting.
As Publications Officer, you will be the central point of expertise for publication production across the Law Commission's project teams. You will guide colleagues through the full production lifecycle, often to tight timescales from finished text to final printed or digital product working closely with external designers, translators and printers to deliver high-quality, accessible publications on time and within budget. This is a role that requires creativity and the ability to work with autonomy.
The Law Commission produces a wide range of publications reports, consultation papers, summaries — each with its own timeline, and requirements for different formats. You'll be the person who holds all of that together, guiding colleagues through the process with confidence and keeping everything on track even when timelines are tight.
Our publications need to meet brand guidelines and accessibility standards. You'll work closely with external designers, translators and printers to ensure every publication is something we're genuinely proud of, and you'll help embed that same ambition across the organisation.
Some of our most significant publications are laid before Parliament, which brings specific procedural requirements and little margin for error. You'll own the relationship with the Ministry of Justice Parliamentary team and their printers, making sure every report that goes before Parliament is exactly as it should be.
Our internal guidance and production processes are functional — but you'll have the opportunity to review them critically and propose improvements. If you can see a smarter way to do something, we want to hear it.
This is primarily a publications role, but we're a joined-up communications team and there will be real opportunities to get involved in the wider work — whether that's digital, media, press relations and, especially, our growing programme of communications in Wales.
This is a varied, collaborative role that requires strong organisational skills, sound judgement and a working knowledge of design and print production processes.
Desirable criteria:
At the Law Commission we believe and promote alternative ways of working, these roles are available as:
The Law Commission operates flexible working arrangements including a flexi-time scheme and the opportunity to work compressed hours, subject to business needs.
If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: Diversity and inclusion – Law Commission
This position is based at 102 Petty France, London SW1H 9AG
This position is eligible for hybrid working. All full-time Law Commission staff are expected to attend the London office at least 2 days a week. This hybrid working arrangement is not contractual and as a result staff could be asked to attend their base location more frequently.
This role is graded at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Grade. New staff will normally be appointed at the starting point of the scale; higher starting salaries will be considered in exceptional circumstances.
If you are already a civil servant and are successful in an external recruitment competition for a role with us, your starting pay will be the better of:
The post is full-time.
You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.
You will be asked to provide a CV during the application process. This will be used to assess your career history, achievements and any demonstrable experience relevant to the role.
You will also be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability of no more than 500 words demonstrating how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements set out in the job description and why you are interested in the Publication Officer role.
Behaviours
During the application process you will be asked to provide an example of how you have met the following behaviour (see Annex A for more information):
Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:
Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of Managing a Quality Service. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing behaviours.
If you have any questions about the role or have any reasonable adjustments, please email: recruitment@lawcommission.gov.uk. Please quote the Job Role in the subject line.
If you require any assistance, please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email: Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely.
During the panel interview, you will be asked behaviour-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of, and to also explore what you enjoy, and your motivations relevant to the job role.
In addition to the Behaviour(s) listed in the application form, you will be asked by the interview panel to provide examples of how you meet the additional behaviours listed below.
Interviews are expected to take place in Early November 2026.
If your application is successful, you will receive a formal letter offering you an appointment that will explain your terms and conditions of service in detail. Your appointment will include a period of probation.
If appointed, you will become a civil servant and will be subject to the Civil Service Code and there will be restrictions on your ability to undertake private practice.
Suitable candidates who are not successful will be held on a reserve list for future posts; such posts may be available in the next 12 months and offered to suitable candidates on the reserve list.
At interview stage, if candidates do not score high enough to be appointed to the HEO role, but have passed the minimal requirements, they could be offered a role at EO.
Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about the role or what it is like working in our team recruitment@lawcommission.gov.uk
Using the STAR method can help you give examples of relevant experience that you have. It allows you to set the scene, show what you did, and how you did it, and explain the overall outcome.
Situation - Describe the situation you found yourself in. You must describe a specific event or situation. Be sure to give enough detail for the job holder to understand.
Task - The job holder will want to understand what you tried to achieve from the situation you found yourself in.
Actions - What did you do? The job holder will be looking for information on what you did, how you did it and why. Keep the focus on you. What specific steps did you take and what was your contribution? Remember to include how you did it, and the behaviours you used. Try to use “I” rather than “we” to explain your actions that lead to the result. Be careful not to take credit for something that you did not do.
Results - Don’t be shy about taking credit for your behaviour. Quote specific facts and figures. Explain how the outcome benefitted the organisation or your area. Make the outcomes easily understandable.
Keep the situation and task parts brief. Concentrate on the action and the result. If the result was not entirely successful describe what you learned from this and what you would do differently next time. Make sure you focus on your strengths.
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).
For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference 22719
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference 22719
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Managing a Quality Service
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please provide a statement of no more than 500 words demonstrating how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements set out in the job description and why you are interested in the Publication Officer role.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Interview Dates
Interviews are expected to start in early November
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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