Secondment – Station Manager (SM) Fire Services Operational Communications Team – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

Open to Existing Station and Watch Managers or equivalent role within a UK Fire and Rescue Service.

Hours – Grey Book 42 hours Flexible Working plus on call option

Pay – £57,402 plus 20% On-Call allowance (if applicable)

Closes midnight 18^th October 2026

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in transforming how fire and rescue services across England communicate?

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are seeking a dynamic Fire Communications Officer. This role will primarily involve supporting the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and working with the MHCLG on the delivery of Emergency Services Network (ESN). The successful candidate will act as the ESN Liaison Officer, playing a key part in fire services operational communications projects.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a vital workstream within the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP), supporting the transition from the current Airwave system to the ESN.

The role will be regionally focused, with successful applicant(s) covering either the North, Central or the South of England. A key aspect of the role will be to drive consistency, foster collaboration, and support Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in their preparation for and transition to ESN.

The immediate vacancy is for the South of England, with anticipated positions in the North and Central regions expected to follow. Please note If there are several suitable candidates, they may be placed on a waiting list for six months and considered for any ESN Liaison Officer vacancies that arise nationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary liaison for designated FRS regions, ensuring alignment and standardisation.
• Build strong relationships with FRS stakeholders, advocating for the ESN transition.
• Support FRSs with business change activities and readiness for transition from Airwave to ESN.
• Track and report on FRS progress, supporting delivery of key work packages.
• Represent the ESMCP at regional tactical board meetings and support regional leads.
• Conduct regular 1:1s with Project Managers and support Business Change and Assurance reviews.
• Provide guidance on ESN mobilisation and delivery, including technical and operational aspects.
• Identify and escalate risks, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Participate in the MHCLG Fire Duty officer rota. A 20% flexi duty allowance will be provided for these responsibilities, contingent on relevant prior experience.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong communicator with excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
• A proactive leader who can inspire confidence and drive change.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and foster collaboration across diverse teams.

Why Join Us?

• Be at the forefront of a national transformation in emergency communications.
• Work with a passionate, multi-agency team dedicated to public safety.
• Make a tangible impact on the future of fire service operations across England.

Applicants must:

• Be a Station Manager, competent wholetime Watch Manager, or equivalent role with relevant experience in a UK Fire and Rescue Service.
• Have no current/outstanding development action plans, performance improvement action plans or capability issues related to competency.
• Be free of current formal disciplinary awards throughout the entire process.
• Be willing to travel around the country as required for the role.
• Have the support and approval to undertake the secondment from your current FRS’s.

The selection process will comprise of:

• Stage 1 – Completion of an application form
• Stage 2 – Shortlisting
• Stage 3 – Presentation and Interview

Application Form

Applicants must complete and submit an application form which will require them to detail how they meet all the essential criteria for the role. Applicants should only write a maximum of 150 words for each criteria detailed on the personnel specification.

Shortlisting

Following the closing date, submitted application forms will be forwarded to the Shortlisting Panel for consideration. All applicants will be advised via email and/or telephone call whether or not they have been successfully shortlisted.

Interview and presentation

Applicants will be required to present a 10-minute presentation followed by an interview, lasting approximately 45 minutes.

Timeline:

• Applications Closes: 18^th October 2026
• Shortlisting: Week Commencing 19^th October 2026
• Presentation/Interview: Week Commencing 2^nd November 2026

Applicants must submit an application form detailing how they meet all the essential criteria for the role to ACFO Keith Donnelly at keith.donnelly@homeoffice.gov.uk

The closing date for applications will be midnight 18^th October 2026, However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy before the closing date if a large/sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, we encourage early applications.

For an informal discussion about these roles, please contact either:

• ACFO Keith Donnelly, email at keith.donnelly@homeoffice.gov.uk or telephone: 07927 529495
• AM Steve Holt, email at steve.holt@homeoffice.gov.uk or telephone: 07356 309000

Pension Considerations:

Annual Allowance 

Please note that it is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying/accepting this position it would result in any Annual and/or Lifetime Allowance implications. A breach in these allowance threshold(s) could result in a Tax charge.

Apply now

Application Form ESN Liaison Officer

Fire ESN Liaison Officer JD