View Vacancy - Political and Press Officer B3(L) (03/18 FT)

Main purpose of job:

To support the work of the British High Commission’s political section in its political and communications work.

Roles and responsibilities:

This is an exciting opportunity for a policy officer to work at the heart of the British High Commission’s political section, helping to build and manage the UK-Sierra Leonean relationship through the UK’s public image and the UK Government’s policy priorities. The UK has been a long-standing friend and ally of Sierra Leone, with many shared values and objectives. Your work will support both the promotion of UK activity in Sierra Leone, the joint policy work with the Sierra Leonean Government. You will help lead the mission’s communications strategy and provide detailed analysis of the Sierra Leonean political landscape.

Main duties include:

• To support the delivery of the British High Commission’s policy priorities in Sierra Leone, including on Climate, the Commonwealth, Education, Gender, Health, Human Rights, and the Illegal Wildlife Trade. You will work with London leads and Sierra Leone ministries on furthering a shared agenda in these areas. This could include guaranteeing representation at summits, identifying suitable partners, working up bids for funding, reviewing reports, and analysing the current situation on these topics.
• To support the press and public affairs work of the British High Commission, including finding stories, producing press releases, monitoring local and international media, building strong working relationships with local journalists and editors, and organising media events on behalf of the High Commission. This also includes co-ordinating communications across the British mission on local press and public affairs requirements.
• To manage the High Commission’s social media accounts on a day-to-day basis, responding to queries, acting upon commissions from London central communications teams, identifying positive stories about the UK and amplifying these, and creating narratives and counter-narratives that promote UK interests. You will conduct social media analysis to ensure that High Commission communications objectives are being achieved.
• To provide detailed political insight to the section and wider mission on political developments of interest to the UK. You will strengthen our network of contacts within Government and beyond in order to broaden the High Commission’s outreach capabilities. You will assist the political section on other priorities, including on incoming visits by UK officials and Ministers, as well as organise Political Section events.

This position offers you the opportunity to strengthen our privileged position within government and the diplomatic community. Through your own initiative and creative thinking, you will have an opportunity to shape how the High Commission engages with its partners to deliver its strategic objectives.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Contribution to the management of the Press and Public Affairs budget

• Knowledge of social media
• Knowledge of the Sierra Leonean political system and the local media
• Strong IT skills (Windows and Office)
• Strong academic record to degree level or above
• Strong organisational skills and initiative
• Experience in a communications or political environment