View Vacancy - Head, Press & Communications, C4, Chennai

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

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Please note that due to Covid-19 outbreak, the start date of employment mentioned in the advert is tentative, subject to normal business of British High Commission. All recruitment campaigns will remain open for applications, we will progress the recruitment process as swiftly as possible and continue to review all applications, monitor progress and developments. We will be in touch with you for the interviews/ should there be further updates on the application, however given the circumstances, kindly expect some delay in response and please reach out to SAAD.Recruit@fcdo.gov.uk if you have any further questions.

Main purpose of job:

To lead the Press & Communications work for the British Deputy High Commission Chennai. Working to the Deputy High Commissioner Chennai the jobholder will promote UK activity in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. The jobholder will work with the wider UK in India Communications network to lead planning, delivery and measurement of communication campaigns around priority activities. They will lead digital and vernacular engagement in the region.

Roles and responsibilities:

Campaigns (20%)

  • Lead the local design of India-wide campaigns across UK priority areas.
  • Lead delivery of these campaigns locally (designing/leveraging targeted communication outreach around GREAT/Global Britain/Chevening etc) in liaison with BHC Delhi and the wider Indian network.
  • Develop specific implementation plans for BDHC Chennai, considering how best to use a wide range of media to deliver priority messages (covering e.g. Trade, Tech, People to people links).
  • Lead on monitoring and evaluating of BDHC communications activities - both for one off events and long running campaigns.
  • Lead design/delivery of coherent BDHC Press & Communication activities - drawing on, as required, the full suite of content and tools – news releases, backgrounders, articles, speeches, photos, videos, scripts, communication plans, on/off record press interviews/briefings by DHC Chennai/other senior spokespersons.

Press/Media & External Comms (30%)

  • Lead regional Press/Media relationships across English and vernacular press, TV, radio, internet ensuring regular, positive coverage of UK activities and priorities.  Act as first point of contact for local press and arrange all press engagements.
  • Lead on design/deployment of Press Lines in consultation with DHC Chennai & Head, Political [cross-department issues/defensive lines]; rebut potentially high-impact false media stories as and when they appear
  • Leverage fluent vernacular skills (Tamil) to create/sustain Post vernacular media outreach/messaging to regional target audiences especially via digital platforms.
  • Lead communication media handling during public engagement by DHC and senior UK officials across the mission, including during high profile visits/events.

Digital (30%)

  • Lead digital activity at Post, creating high quality content in the dedicated Green Room for the India Digital Hub covering the range of UKinIndia digital platforms e.g. – Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn.
  • Lead design/leverage of the DHC Chennai regional Twitter handle, ensuring regular production of tailor-made stories.

Internal Comms, Living Bridge/Scripts, Branding (10%)

  • Lead BDHC Chennai’s Internal Comms showcasing/celebrating staff effort/success across the wider network [via Network tools such as the India Bulletin.
  • Lead Post internal/external use of approved FCDO branding/collateral.
  • Lead design/deployment of diaspora stories so it contributes to our India narrative and country business plan.

Learning & Development /Self-Management & Cross-Post (10%)

  • Lead/support to key elements of cross-Post work eg: Queen’s Birthday Party, high-level visits/events
  • Prism, budget management related to Press/Communication work
  • Act as Media Manager as part of the Post Crisis Committee
  • Learning and Development (L&D) tied to Personal Development Plan (PDP) for ongoing personal/professional development

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • Staff – NA
  • Budget – PPA Chennai Budget approx. Rs.500,000

Language requirements:

  • Language: English & Tamil
  • Level of language required: Fluent (written and spoken)

 Learning and development opportunities:

  • On the job mentoring from Press & Communications Group BHC Delhi
  • Press & Communications specialist courses off the India/FCDO L&D platform

Working patterns: Regular working hours

 

Essential:  

  • At least 3-5 years successful and proven record in a leadership Press/PR/Communications role in a professional PR/Communications team/institution.
  • Proven management/leadership in design/deployment of digital content across digital/social media platforms. Fluency/expertise in use of cross-digital skills (skill in still photography, videography for use on digital platforms and skill in loading content to/deploying the full range of social media platforms/channels – Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook
  • Proven record in managing/leading/delivering largescale/high-profile Press/PR/Communication/Digital campaigns in a competitive market.
  • Extensive contacts/ and understanding of English & Vernacular Press & Broadcast & Digital Media in the region.
  • Post-graduate degree

Desirable:

  • Leadership/operational experience in a multi-department/team, international organisation
  • Experience of working with a wide range of teams/individuals to achieve corporate Press/Communication goals
  • Professional Press/Communications/PR and/or Digital Media/Marketing professional qualification/certification
Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace
27 July 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
Chennai
British Deputy High Commission
1
INR
INR 1,10,484 per month with 12% Provident Fund and 6% Special Allowance
13 July 2021

Salary Package:

BHC candidates, the Local BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be INR 110,484 per month plus 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance.

Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided. Notional tax will be deducted if you are not liable to pay local tax.

Please note - Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.

Around half of our work forces are women.  We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that British High Commission has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

To Apply: 

Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.

A.    Complete the Online Application Form

B.    Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 27th July 2021 (latest by 23:55 hours IST).

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount. 

Please note - Provident Fund Transfer in and out from EPFO is not possible as BHC PF is managed by a private PF trust governed by Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The staff still has the option to transfer out and in from a privately held PF trust which are not governed by EPFO.

Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.

The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

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.