View Vacancy - Public Diplomacy and Communications Officer (43/19 CPT)

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

Main purpose of job:

To promote the UK’s reputation in South Africa and amplify key messages, by delivering targeted events and developing content for digital and traditional media. Working remotely with the British High Commission’s Communications Team, Public Diplomacy Team and the Regional Campaigns Hub in Pretoria, and the Department of International Trade Team in Johannesburg, you will lead and deliver the UK’s communications strategy in the three Cape Provinces, and support delivery of communication priorities across South Africa.     

Roles and Responsibilities:

The jobholder will be expected to build on the UKinSouthAfrica Communications Strategy by developing and delivering a targeted communications plan to promote UK priorities in the Cape Provinces.

Public Diplomacy Events

  • Conceptualise, plan and deliver an ongoing series of traditional and creative high level events, targeting key figures, but also new, and young audiences, to promote the UK’s objectives. Events will primarily take place in Cape Town, but it will also be important to capitalise on ad hoc opportunities across the Cape Provinces.

Press/Digital Media

  • Produce content (including videos, photos, articles, interviews, op-eds) for use on the UKinSouthAfrica digital platform in support of the Communications Officer and Digital Manager in Pretoria.
  • Contribute to media scripts, and localise for the audience in the Cape Provinces.
  • Act as back-up to digital manager for all UKinSouthAfrica digital channels.
  • Monitor local media for issues of interest to the UKinSouthAfrica.
  • Contacts management and media contact development.

Visits

  • Contribute to the planning and management of communications elements of inward visits by senior diplomats, Ministers and VIPs.
  • As part of the visits team, support logistics for inward and outward visits.

  • Over 2 years’ experience in PR, communications, media/social media ideally in government, business, academia or other high-profile organisations.
  • Digital communication experience.
  • Some event management experience.
  • Pro-active, self-driven approach.

Language requirements:

Language: English   

Level of language required: Fluent 


  • Experience of social media content development.
  • Degree in relevant subject.
  • Confidence in Xhosa, Zulu and/or Afrikaans.

3 July 2019
Executive Officer (EO)
Permanent
Africa
South Africa
Cape Town
British Consulate
R22,600.62
1 August 2019

Learning and development opportunities:
 
The British Consulate prides itself on the learning and development culture within the organisation and the opportunities it offers to its staff. You will therefore have access to excellent programmes for professional development through the UK’s Diplomatic Academy, in areas such as Personal Impact, Diplomatic Practice and Communications. For someone who is proactive about their own L&D there is scope to learn a huge amount in the role. L&D is achieved through a combination of on-the-job learning, shadowing and mentoring opportunities, and formal training. The Regional Learning and Development Centre is based in Pretoria and offers a range of training courses over the year. The High Commission also runs regular ‘Teach-in’ sessions about different policy issues and there is ad-hoc learning through shadowing opportunities, including during diplomatic meetings.


  • 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




The application process may include time bound written tests which will accompany a competency based interview.

  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Pretoria are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa.
  • All applicants must be legally able to work in the country of application with the correct visa/status or work permit.
  • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
  • Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted.
  • If you don’t already hold a valid SA Police Clearance Certificate, we recommend that you apply for the certificate at the time of your application.
  • Any questions you may have about this position will be answered during the interview, should you be invited.
  • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework
  • Complete the application form in full as the information provided will be used for screening purposes.
  • Check your application before you submit, as you will not be able to make any changes once submitted.
  • The British High Commission will never ask you to pay a fee or money to apply for a position
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.