View Vacancy - Assistant Press and Communications Officer - B3, Kolkata

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 the job:

This is a new role in the Press and Communications Group at the British Deputy High Commission Kolkata. 90% is press and communications; 10% is crisis preparedness and outreach, including capacity building for staff.

The jobholder (JH) will:

  • implement the United Kingdom’s press and communications objectives in the states of Assam and Odisha, leading and delivering through colleagues based in the respective capitals;
  • assist the Head of Press & Communications (the Communications Officer) in campaign planning and delivery, production of media content, support for events and monitoring impact and outcomes; 
  • deputise for the Communications Officer when absent;
  • work with colleagues to improve understanding of and perceptions about UK-India relations and links in the 13 States and 1 Union Territory of East and North-eastern India;
  • strengthen and maintain a network of contacts to facilitate both public diplomacy and crisis response;
  • act as the Deputy High Commission’s crisis coordinator and take responsibility for high-profile outreach events where there is a consular interest;

Roles and responsibilities:

As part of the PCG Group, you will play an active and fulfilling role in planning, implementing and evaluating our communications effort to promote the UK-India relationship under the leadership and guidance of the Communications Officer (CO).  You will have specific responsibility for our public diplomacy objectives in the states of Assam and Odisha where you will lead, manage and deliver through our two locally based Press & Public Affairs Assistants.  You will be a self-starter who is comfortable taking the initiative in building all-weather relationships across a wide range of traditional and digital press and media. You will use this engagement to deliver effective multi-media campaigns that showcase UK-India people-to-people ties (our “Living Bridge”), our shared commitment to a rules-based international system and a free and open Indo-Pacific (“Force for Good”), and the UK’s rich and varied work taking place across East & North-eastern India.  

You will assist the Communications Officer in campaign planning and delivery, in the production of cutting-edge media content, in supporting events and monitoring impact and outcomes. You will use your experience in journalism, marketing or communications in the creation and design of graphics, social media banners, and click and edit photographs.  You will assist in shooting and editing videos to deliver our digital communications.  You will be at ease with social media, contributing creatively and actively to increasing the impact of our Twitter channel - @UKinKolkata.  You will use your event management skills to coordinate multiple teams in assisting the CO to deliver our public diplomacy event – the Queen’s Birthday Party. You will help in drafting press invitations and press releases. You will work closely with colleagues from Prosperity, Political and Chevening, and Department for International Trade Teams in Kolkata and specialist colleagues from elsewhere in India Network to help achieve their objectives through effective communications.

A new element to this job is crisis preparedness, outreach and co-ordination.  You will develop and maintain your network outside Kolkata ensure we have links with the governments and agencies on whom we will depend for a fast and effective response to a crisis involving British Nationals.  You will provide back-up to the Deputy High Commission’s Consular Section and take a leading role at high-profile events where consular input can make a positive difference (e.g. the annual Remembrance Sunday Service).

Specifically, the job holder will:

  • Delivery the UK Government’s communications objectives in Assam and Odisha and line manage the two Press and Public Affairs Assistants in Bhubaneshwar and Guwahati to deliver campaigns;
  • Providing support in local budget allocation for the Kolkata Communications Team;
  • Deputise for the Kolkata communications Manager in his absence;
  • Assist the CO in building a campaign strategy and narrative, and developing and maintaining a calendar of our campaigns for East and Northeast India;
  • Support the production of content and stories of our campaigns to deliver them on @UKinKolkata social media channel and traditional and mainstream media.
  • Manage the production of suitable photos, videos, stories and other material as input to UK-in-Kolkata and other digital channels produced by professional media service providers.
  • Engage closely with and contribute to the work of the wider communications network in India, Participate in the PCG Network calls and follow-up;
  • Be able to take on responsibility independently and deliver communications during VIP and VVIP visits to our office;
  • Support Internal Communications by actively contributing to India Bulletin and other suitable internal channels to increase the visibility of our work in E&NE India;
  • Establish and develop a network of political, government and media contacts in the wider E&NE India network to support public diplomacy and crisis response; 
  • Become the Deputy High Commission’s Crisis Coordinator, identifying and bringing to the attention of senior management any shortcomings, building and maintaining capacity within Team Kolkata, and leading in high-profile events where there is a consular interest (e.g. the Remembrance Sunday Service).

Resources managed:

2 x A1L Press and Public Affairs Assistants

After one year in the job, the jobholder will be expected to be a highly competent communications practitioner and adept at crisis preparedness and response.

Language requirements:

Language: English, Bengali and Hindi (minimum); some of Assamese, Nagamese, Nepali, Odia and Sylheti an advantage.

Level of language required:  The jobholder should be fluent in written and spoken English and Bengali. A written test will be included as part of the recruitment process. Working knowledge of Hindi is desirable.

Other skills / experience / qualifications:

Essential on arrival:  

  • Excellent written communication skills, to be able to draft press releases and communications materials. Functional knowledge with different digital platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube) and proven skills in generating digital content.
  • Should have at least 3-5 years of relevant work experience.
  • Previous experience in media, public relations, or campaigning. Either as a journalist in traditional or digital media, campaign manager or in the wider communications field.
  • Understanding of campaign planning and experience in designing and delivering a campaign.
  • Be able to work closely with photographers, video makers and others to produce material for digital media.
  • Experience working with a diplomatic mission.
  • Crisis preparedness and management.
  • Knowledge of free graphics editing tool (Canva).
  • Have a degree in journalism, mass communication or public relations / Graduate in other subject with a post-graduate diploma in journalism/mass communication/public relations.
Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace
27 June 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
Kolkata
British Deputy High Commission
1
INR
INR 67,767 per month with 12% provident fund and 6% Superannuation Fund
15 July 2021

Salary Details:

For BHC candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply. For other than BHC candidates the basic salary will be INR 67,767 per month together with 12% provident fund and 6% Superannuation Fund.

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 FCDO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

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 June 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.