Policy, Enforcement & Research 2023

Overview

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as protecting viewers and listeners form harmful material in TV, radio and on-demand programmes. We also oversee the universal postal service, the radio spectrum over which wireless devices operate, and also help to make sure people don’t get scammed and are protected from bad practices.

We have recently taken on the regulation of UK-established video-sharing platforms such as Tik Tok and Twitch, and we are preparing for a future role as the Online Safety regulator under the Governments proposed new laws. Protecting consumers is at the heart of what we do.

On our graduate scheme, you will embark on a two-year series of intensive job placements, moving regularly between projects and departments to ensure that the knowledge and insight you are exposed to is as broad as possible. One week you might be devising new policy directives; the next, monitoring content standards of broadcast programmes.

Ofcom is a forward-thinking, inclusive, diversity champion, and disability confident employer.

Join us, it has never been a more exciting time to join Ofcom as the communications sector and regulatory environment evolves to tackle new online challenges.

The Role

The Policy, Enforcement & Research pathway is wide and varied, reflecting Ofcom’s work. Graduates will have the unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in all areas of Ofcom on this rotational programme.

You could be working to promote effective competition and informed choice in our Consumer team, helping to maintain and strengthen public service broadcasting in the Content Policy team, or ensuring best use of the UK’s spectrum resource as part of Spectrum Policy. You can also work on our strategy – setting the agenda and direction for the future of the sectors Ofcom regulate. We now have graduate rotations in Ofcom’s new Online Safety Policy team where you may be working to develop the future regulatory framework for online safety.

Ofcom’s enforcement teams are at the heart of ensuring consumers are treated fairly and audiences are protected. As part of the graduate programme you might be leading regulatory investigations in the Consumer Enforcement Team or considering audience complaints against the Broadcasting Code in our Standards & Audience Protection team.

Ofcom is a leader in world class in market research and intelligence. In our research and intelligence team, you could be publishing sectoral insights or leading consumer research projects to provide an evidence base for policy development.

Graduates at Ofcom have the opportunity to work across our full regulatory remit and immerse themselves in the fast-paced and evolving communications sector. As such, there is no ‘right’ degree to have studied. Strong academics coupled with a willingness to learn and enthusiasm are a must.

Being on Ofcom’s graduate scheme will enable you build on the communication experience and knowledge you already have, contributing to one of the UK's largest industries.

Candidate Profile

At Ofcom, we're looking for:

• Ambitious and passionate individuals who live by our values of: Excellence, Collaboration, Agility, Empowerment and Respect
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Graduating by September 2023 in any discipline 

Benefits

• Flexible benefits allowance
• Pension allowance
• 25 days’ holiday
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Annual health check
• Income protection insurance

Application 

The application process consists of four stages:

• Initial application
• Blended assessment & video interview
• Assessment Centre (to be held virtually February - March 2023)

For this role, you can be based in either the London, Cardiff, Belfast, Manchester or Edinburgh offices. We also support flexible ways of working, wherever possible.

Diversity & Inclusion at Ofcom

Ofcom is a forward-thinking, inclusive employer and recognises the value of diversity to truly “make communications work for everyone”. Here at Ofcom, our vision is to ensure people are part of an environment when they can truly strive and be themselves, therefore we aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – irrespective of social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability. We are an organisation that strives to be truly representative of the whole of the UK and our aim is to be an employer of choice for everyone.

We champion flexible working and so wherever possible we support flexible working patterns including job shares.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview disabled applicants who meets the minimum selection criteria of the role as outlined in the job specification, if applicants would like to be considered under this scheme. We pride ourselves on ensuring all candidates are treated fairly throughout the application and selection process including making our process as accessible as possible. You can find more information on the scheme here. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/jobs/disability-confident-scheme

Should you require any adjustments to be made, please do contact us directly at ofcomresourcing@omnirms.com

For more information and guidance please visit: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/ask-for-adjustments-at-interview