Communications Officer (09/22 PTA) at British High Commission

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission in South Africa maintains and develops relations between the UK and South Africa. From building strategic partnerships – in important areas, including tackling climate change, protecting security, improving trade and promoting inclusive growth – the UK and South Africa work together internationally, regionally and nationally. This is an opportunity to join the fast-paced UK in South Africa Communications Team.

• We are looking for a dynamic, creative individual to develop engaging and strategic communications campaigns about the UK’s partnership with South Africa.
• This role would be ideal for someone with an interest in a wide-range of international issues, offering the chance to design media plans for joint moments on the world stage – such as President Ramaphosa’s attendance at the G7 Summit in the UK last year – and showcasing progress on joint UK-South Africa priorities – such as the ground-breaking International Just Energy Transition Partnership agreed at COP26 in November. The role will also have opportunities to deliver media around high-profile visits.
• The individual will be a communications expert with journalist relationships and experience in designing and delivering media moments. You would need the ability to flex around the UK’s priorities at different times, and be confident creating media materials, including press releases and media lines.
• There is the opportunity to deputise for the Head of Communications.

Roles and responsibilities:

External Communication

• Work with the Head of Communications and policy officers to create innovative communications strategies in key policy areas, including crisis and consular communications
• Building relationships across UK in South Africa teams, in order to deliver UK in South Africa policy objectives through effective communications campaigns and activity
• Build and maintain a network of relationships with South African and international media, including the management of a comprehensive media contacts database. Provide media advice to UK in South Africa leadership team, including the British High Commissioner
• Generate content including press releases, opinion pieces, scripts and media lines, working closely with a range of policy teams across UK in South Africa
• Work with the Digital Communications Officer in developing digital content, ensuring high quality output across UK in South Africa social media channels 
• Resources managed: GPC cardholder, corporate credit card holder
• Management of subscriptions and budget for subscriptions, branding and communications products

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Media/Journalism/Communications or relevant qualification
• Three years professional experience in media, communications or PR, with proven digital and social media skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience of engaging with the press and securing interview slots and other media opportunities
• Strong copywriting skills and experience of writing press notices and other written materials
• Excellent organisational and self-management skills to respond effectively to tight – and changing – deadlines and priorities
• The ability to learn quickly and work with a high degree of autonomy
• A positive “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges
• Evidence of research to inform communications advice and of using evaluation to learn lessons and improve communications
• The ability to build and maintain networks with counterparts in other organisations
• Experience of designing and delivering proactive and reactive communications plans

Language requirements:

• English Level of language required: Excellent written and spoken

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Strong digital skills and experience in developing content including digital, press releases and articles, layout capabilities, media experience and photography
•  A good standard in one or more additional official South African languages
• Required competencies  
• Seeing the Big Picture, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace

Application deadline  

• 2, March 2022

Salary  

• R 23,997.87

Start Date  

• 1, April 2022

Other benefits and conditions of employment  
Learning and development opportunities:

• Digital communications training through the FCDO Communications Directorate in London
• Access to the UK’s Government Communication Service training
• Close working with the UK Government’s Africa Campaigns Hub

The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.

• Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
• Working hours per week of 36.5

Additional information  
Working patterns:

• Some flexibility possible to compensate for relatively frequent out of hours working.