View Vacancy - Communications Officer (DEU19.176)

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.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media

The British Embassy in Berlin is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is currently looking to recruit a full-time Communications Officer.

This role is at the heart of the UK’s embassy network in Germany and is an opportunity to work on high-profile political, economic and cultural issues. The jobholder will be part of a team of eight communications experts, responsible for all external and internal messaging and campaigns for the embassy in Berlin as well as the consulates in Dusseldorf and Munich. They will be supporting the team in delivering innovative and engaging content, with organising public diplomacy events and assisting with media handling for the ambassador and senior staff as well as helping to run the internal communication channels. The main aim of the communications team is to enhance the UK’s reputation in Germany and encourage closer cooperation between our two countries.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Support Embassy Comms Team’s work in organising large events and activities, which promote the UK’s brand as an open and responsible partner for Germany. 

  • To provide administrative and logistical support on internal communication (incl. drafting and issuing internal newsletter) and co-ordinating the GREAT Friends campaign.

  • To support media handling for senior staff in the Germany network, including the Ambassador, as well as for visiting ministers, officials and members of the Royal Family.
  • To produce engaging content for Embassy digital channels including social media platforms and FCO network websites. Exploring chances for external partnerships, and running campaigns independently.

  • To support the team leader on a whole range of communications measures, including during a crisis, during absences, and for larger projects.

  • To undertake other duties that may reasonably be required and which are in accordance with the grading and core competencies of the job, and contribute to the wider objectives of the British Government’s Germany network.



  • Proficiency in English and German (written and spoken, minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework);

  • Experience in communications, journalism or a related field;

  • Experience in developing and delivering communication campaigns;

  • Knowledge of social media management and digital communication;

  • Ability to work independently and show initiative with limited day-to-day supervision while operating as part of a wider team with shared goals and wide-ranging objectives;

  • Organisational skills: preparing press engagements such as press conferences & background briefings as well as public diplomacy events;

  • Media skills: classic media handling, drafting press releases, briefings, & statements; interview and opinion pieces placement;

  • Availability to travel across Germany and occasionally work in the evenings or on weekends, including in the case of a crisis affecting UK nationals in Germany.


  • Knowledge of and contacts in German media (broadcast and print);

  • Filming and editing skills for videos and infographics;

  • Photography skills;

  • Knowledge of UK politics and culture.




16 April 2019
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Germany
Berlin
British Embassy
1
EUR
€43,152 gross per annum rising to approx €48,472 gross per annum after a qualifying period in addition to performance related pay. (Salary is not negotiable)
19 May 2019

This is a permanent, full-time position of five working days 37.5 hours per week.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Germany are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local German employment law.

The British Embassy in Berlin has a strong ethos of Learning and Development, including our Learning and Development Week. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend external seminars and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all Embassy staff.

The successful applicant will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the Embassy, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government’s Germany network and supporting the Embassy’s positive working environment.

Visa/passport requirements: Must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Germany and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance.

* Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C2 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.