Publications & Digital

Position: Publications & Digital Support
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for a Publications and Digital Support (Inside IR35) for a contract up to 31/03/27 based  the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards.

We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:
* To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future.
* To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production.
** To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs [1]  Year Environment Plan -  [2] [3] .

The role:

Natural England is looking for a Publications and Digital Support professional to join its Publications Team and provide short-term operational and technical support across publications, digital and administrative activities.

The Publications Team is responsible for publishing Natural England-commissioned reports and journal publications. The role will have a particular focus on preparing, formatting and quality-assuring documents for publication, requiring strong Microsoft Word skills and exceptional attention to detail.

You will also support wider digital and information-management activities, including Microsoft 365 applications, publication records, Microsoft Lists and Forms, mailbox management and process improvements.

This is a varied role where priorities may change, so the successful candidate will need to be adaptable, organised and comfortable supporting a range of activities.

As a Publications and Digital Support, your main responsibilities will be:
* Prepare and format complex documents for publication using advanced Microsoft Word skills.
* Apply and manage Word styles, structured formatting and multilevel heading numbering.
* Use section breaks, headers, footers, tables, captions and cross-references to produce professional documents.
* Troubleshoot and resolve complex Microsoft Word formatting issues.
* Quality-assure documents before publication, checking accuracy, consistency, presentation and accessibility.
* Review documents to identify errors, inconsistencies and areas requiring correction.
* Support the preparation and publication of reports, journal publications and other digital content.
* Maintain accurate publication records and information, including applying appropriate categories and metadata.
* Support information and records management activities across relevant digital systems.
* Create and maintain Microsoft Lists and Microsoft Forms within the Microsoft 365 environment.
* Identify practical opportunities to improve and streamline administrative and digital processes.
* Manage and monitor the team mailbox, triaging enquiries and allocating actions where appropriate.
* Draft or coordinate clear and professional responses to enquiries and correspondence.
* Support wider communications, quality-assurance and administrative activities within the Publications Team.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues while managing competing priorities and responding flexibly to changing requirements.

Essential:
* Strong publications experience, including preparing, formatting, reviewing or quality-assuring documents or content for publication.
* Advanced Microsoft Word skills, including styles, structured formatting, multilevel heading numbering, section breaks, headers and footers, tables, captions and cross-references.
* Ability to troubleshoot complex Microsoft Word formatting issues and produce consistently professional documents.
* Excellent Microsoft 365 skills and confidence working across digital systems and applications.
* Strong attention to detail and the ability to identify errors, inconsistencies and quality issues.
* Experience of copywriting or drafting clear, accurate and professional written communications.
* Experience of mailbox management, including monitoring, triaging and responding to enquiries or allocating actions.
* Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
*…