Communications Operating Model Review and Channel Review

Communications channel review Review of the communications operating model Programme Management

· Ensuring a fit for purpose communications function - that is strategic, proactive and has the right tools and skills to effectively engage our diverse audiences both internally and externally, is a priority for DE&S. We wish to recruit and retain the very best talent and ensure our employees are fully informed and engaged. We also want to ensure we build, protect and enhance our reputation.

· The current environment means that there is now increased focus on efficiency with a real focus on reducing operating expenditure. This is driven internally in response to the Integrated Review and externally through the Reshaping Government Communications Service (RGCS) /Defence Communications Change Programme (DCCP) reviews. However, DE&S is not part of the single employer model for GCS.

· From April 2021, a new corporate strategic risk was agreed, focusing on building, protecting and enhancing our reputation. Therefore, there is a real need to focus our activity strategically to target key stakeholders and invest in the right communications channels, insight and evaluation tools. Understanding the changing needs of our people, the effectiveness of our communication channels (including our leaders and line managers as key communication channels) and the communication roles required to drive our objectives are key in elevating the function and making it fit for the future. It is also critical to further improving our employee engagement scores in our People Survey.

· COVID-19 and the move to using digital channels and hybrid/smarter working has exacerbated the need to undertake a full communications channel and operating model review to ensure our channel strategy and future communications meet the needs of our people going forward and we have the right people, with the right skills in the right roles. Future proofing our communications organisation.