View Vacancy - Temporary Head of Communications

The British Embassy, Israel has vacancy for a Temporary Head of Communications (Maternity Cover), Grade – C5 (L) for 6 months.

Overview of the role:

Alongside senior Embassy colleagues, the temporary Head of Communications serves as the public face of the Embassy, driving forward an ambitious programme of public diplomacy events and delivers the Embassy’s communications strategy. This role requires high quality communication and political judgement, an ability to identify and exploit communication opportunities, and to navigate challenging stories.

The temporary Head of Communications will play a key role in the Embassy’s high-profile public diplomacy and media work. Reporting to the Deputy Ambassador, the successful candidate will be tasked with developing and implementing the Embassy’s communications strategy. Through the work of the Communications section, the individual will be responsible for securing high-profile coverage and public exposure of Embassy activities.

She or he will lead the communications team, made up of a Deputy Head of Communications and two Communications officers, and will oversee the Embassy’s outward-facing activities, including digital and large-scale public events. This includes responsibility for the section budget and leading a detailed Learning & Development effort.

The successful candidate will be hired for a temporary period for a maternity leave cover.

Main Responsibilities:

• Developing and overseeing delivery of a wide-ranging Comms strategy incorporating all aspects of the UK’s objectives in Israel.
• Shaping public messaging and providing real time advice to the Foreign Office in London, on a daily basis and during crisis, on how to best convey UK policy to local audiences and promote outreach to the Israeli public.
• Leading a high performing team of four to deliver high profile exposure and events for the Embassy. This includes responsibility for the section budget and leading a detailed Learning & Development effort.
• Providing high quality comms advice, analysis and insight to the Ambassador and senior Embassy staff, liaising with internal and external comms stakeholders to ensure that core UK messages are heard.
• Overseeing a savvy public profiling of the Ambassador and the UK in the media and social media, through speaking opportunities; VIP visits; relationship with prominent media outlets; and outreach to the Jewish community in the UK.
• Act as a member of the Embassy’s senior management team, making a significant contribution to the corporate management of the Embassy.

Key Competencies:

• Seeing the Big Picture - Having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs. Focussing your contribution on the activities which will meet Embassy goals and deliver the greatest value.
• Leading and Communicating - Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.
• Making Effective Decisions - Effectiveness in this area is about being objective; using sound judgment, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.
• Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
• Demonstrating Resilience - This is about helping our people to build resilience in international roles, supporting their ability to adapt to working in difficult and varied international environments and to bounce back from crises and setbacks in these contexts.
• Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

Essential:

• Mother tongue level of written and verbal communication skills in Hebrew and English.
• At least five years’ progressively senior experience in media and/or public relations.
• At least five years’ experience in managing a team.
• High-level leadership skills.
• Strategic awareness of UK-Israel relations and the role of the British Embassy in delivering UK objectives.
• Top-level communications skills.
• Highly-developed interpersonal, people management and team working skills.
• Creativity, flexibility and ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn).
• Motivation and enthusiasm to work as part of a small, agile, ambitious team.
• Knowledge and contacts in the Israeli press and foreign media based in Israel.
• Excellent IT skills.