Senior Regional Communications Officer HEO (m/f)

Description

• The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow
• Main purpose of job: To raise the profile of the UK’s activity in Mozambique and the wider Southern Africa region through delivery of targeted communications activities, including social media output, press releases, soft power activities and more. Working with colleagues across government, you will develop and deliver a strategy for campaigns and media engagement, and deliver tailored advice to the Head of Mission and teams from across the British High Commission, with particular attention paid to social media (especially Twitter) but also traditional media and soft power events
• This role is primarily (80%) Mozambique focused, but 20% of your time will be dedicated to developing campaigns and materials for use around the region, with a particular focus on Lusophone Africa

Duties

• This is a fast-paced role working at the centre of the busy and fast-growing British High Commission in Mozambique. Managing a small comms team (1 x full time EO, plus 10% of two other colleagues time) you will be responsible for overseeing the UK in Mozambique’s communications output, ensuring it is supporting delivery of UK objectives and giving a positive profile to the UK’s work in Mozambique, including through increasing our reach and impact on social media. In addition you will support comms activities in the wider Southern Africa region, with a focus on Lusophone Africa. In particular you will:

Mozambique

• Develop, deliver and monitor a communication strategy for the British High Commission Maputo which is aligned with UK strategic objectives
• Strategically identify and plan for future communication opportunities. Maximize the communications potential of Ministerial visits, High Commissioner engagement, programme launches etc.
• Work with the Africa Campaigns Hub to deliver priority UK comms campaigns
• Deliver and maintain a x-mission ‘Core Script’ of top lines, key messages etc.
• Draft press releases, speeches etc; act as High Commission spokesperson
• Carry out media monitoring of political developments and stories of interest to the UK
• Coordinate evaluation reports and actionable insights from major comms activities and campaigns. Use data-driven analysis and evaluation to demonstrate the impact of digital campaign and communications work and apply that learning to future activities
• Oversee internal communications to ensure that information is being shared effectively across the mission
• Increase the UK’s presence and reach on social media, and widen our network of contacts of journalists, government spokespeople, opinion formers and other key figures working in communications
• Raise the profile of UKAid through effective use of branding, social media, and working with partners to amplify messages
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with local media, influencers and other key stakeholders
• Act as Comms Manager in a crisis

Regionally

• Generate creative ideas for campaigns and other high-profile media engagement. Act as a regional Lusophone comms expert responsible for sourcing Portuguese content from other regions and developing social media content
• Build capacity and comms expertise across the Lusophone region; provide mentoring, coaching and advice on comms activity
• Provide regional support/resilience during crises or other high profile events
• Use data-driven analysis and evaluation to demonstrate the impact of digital campaign and communications work and apply that learning to future activities across Lusophone countries
• Member of the global Lusophone network
• Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
• 1 x EO Communications officer
• Comms team budget of up to £10, 000 per annum, plus potential to manage discrete project funds

Requisites

• Essential qualifications, skills and experience
• Fluent in English and Portuguese
• Experience of working in media or communications
• Experience of running campaigns
• Social media expertise (particularly Twitter and Facebook)
• Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
• Experience of working in government and/or development
• Required behaviours: Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

• Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
• The British High Commission places a lot of value on supporting the development of its staff, and you will be encouraged to participate in L&D training and get involved in corporate activities. As well as successful completion of relevant online learning for the role, the successful candidate will be required to complete an introductory training course in the first three months of the job. There are also opportunities to job shadow at other British missions in the region
• Working patterns: Some working from home or flexible hours would be possible. The successful candidate will be required to travel in accordance with the demands of the job

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organizational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow
• Please complete the application form in full. Failure to do so may result in a determination that you do not meet the requirements for the position
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Maputo are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Mozambique
• All applicants must be legally able to work in Mozambique with the correct visa/status or work permit
• Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount
• Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted
• Any questions you may have about this position will be answered during the interview, should you be invited