View Vacancy - NZW - Communications Officer - Wellington, A2(L)

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)
Economic and Prosperity

Main purpose of job:

Are you a communications professional with an interest in diplomacy, trade and foreign affairs? The British High Commission in Wellington is looking for a Communications Officer to join our whānau and help foster UK-NZ relations.

At the British High Commission in Wellington, our work covers the full range of UK government interests – political, trade, defence, science, economics, visas and consular policy. We operate in a fascinating, fast-paced environment, working closely with New Zealand on a wide range of issues that reinforce our shared values. Our Wellington-based Communications Team supports the whole UK in NZ network, and works closely with colleagues in smaller missions across the Pacific region.

Good planning, self-management and creativity are all part of this exciting job. Working to the Communications Manager, you will support the delivery of UK in NZ communications campaigns covering the full range of our work. You will produce high-quality digital and social media content, run events, and engage with media to promote the diverse and exciting range of UK interests in NZ.

You will need to build your relationships across the UK team to understand policy priorities, and how your role supports these, feeding back on public perceptions of the UK through media monitoring and reporting. You will advise on the most appropriate channels to use - whether social or traditional media, public events, or working through others to promote our messages. 

You will be jointly responsible for the day to day management and use of social media channels and evaluation of our engagement. You will ensure our message remains consistent, clear and relevant to the New Zealand audience.

You will also lead our event management, working closely with policy leads and the High Commissioner’s Residence team to design and deliver events tailored to specific policy priorities and maximise their impact through public messaging when appropriate. You will support the production of our  podcast series, spotting opportunities for potential subjects, planning, recording and uploading our content.

Your external relationships will also be important, as will your understanding of the NZ media landscape and ability to build relationships with media. You will monitor traditional New Zealand media as well as digital channels to spot potential stories that can be used to support our interests. You will be able to understand, digest and communicate complex policy, ranging from climate change, to free trade, in creative ways, and identify proactive communications opportunities. As the potential for international travel evolves, you will also support the Communications Manager and Political Team with Ministerial and senior visits to NZ.

You will join a vibrant and friendly High Commission team which welcomes challenge and takes a collaborative approach to shared challenges. The role will offer the ability to work flexibly.

The diversity of our workforce is one of our greatest strengths. The British High Commission is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We aspire to reflect the bicultural nature of New Zealand. 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, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

Roles and responsibilities:

Campaigns – 40%

  • Work with the Head of Political and the wider Team to understand overarching policy objectives.
  • Work with the Communications Manager to deliver UK in NZ campaigns across multiple channels (digital, TV, radio, print, events).
  • Stay attuned to emerging issues that affect the UK in NZ, formulating responses in coordination with relevant sections/departments.
  • Evaluate and report on UKinNZ public campaigns to inform future approach

Event Management – 20%

  • Plan and deliver a variety of events tailored to policy objectives. Develop and deliver associated comms plans where relevant.

Digital – 30 %

  • Planning and production of digital media (podcasts, video, live-streams) 

Media monitoring – 10%

  • Monitor local and global media and to provide timely, relevant reporting on UK coverage and public perceptions of the UK or UK priorities.
  • Knowledge of the NZ media landscape, including familiarity with digital and social media, and willingness to learn new skills
  • Interest in, and understanding of, NZ and UK political landscapes
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to treat others with respect and courtesy regardless of work pressures
  • Ability to work effectively and supportively with colleagues, both individually and in teams
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Flexibility to meet the demands of a varied work schedule and contribute to the wider work of the British High Commission
  • Experience of developing and delivering events
  • Design skills and experience with using design software to produce in-house videos and infographics
1 December 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
36.25
Asia Pacific
New Zealand
Wellington
British High Commission
1
NZD
NZ$66,265 per annum ($5,522.08 per month) plus up to an additional 5% of salary as an employer superannuation subsidy
3 January 2022

The British High Commission is committed to learning and development for all staff, placing a strong emphasis on both personal and team development.

This job itself offers huge scope for personal and professional development, covering the full range of the UK’s public messaging in New Zealand, with reach across the Pacific to our regional network. In addition, a wide range of Learning & Development opportunities are available, with access to specialist courses and training, our annual L&D camp and some international travel (COVID-permitting), including to the UK. We would recommend early completion of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office International Communications Skills course.

Normal office hours are 8.45am to 5.00pm. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop a pattern of working that works best for you and the wider team. The BHC supports flexible working, including some working from home. There will be a requirement for occasional and limited out-of-hours work around major events and visits.

Appointment is subject to a 90 day trial period and gaining and maintaining Posts security clearance requirements.

Open to New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and partners/dependents of UK-based diplomatic staff currently posted in New Zealand. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Candidates must have or be able to obtain work authorisation for New Zealand in order to apply.

Due to the NZ border being closed to all but New Zealand residents and permanent residents please do not apply for this role unless you can guarantee being able to be in country by February 2022.  The British High Commission Wellington will not sponsor your application. 

Staff recruited locally by the High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local New Zealand employment law.  Only short-listed applicants will be contacted regarding the next phase of the selection process.

For more information on the work of the British High Commission, visit our website - http://www.gov.uk/government/world/new-zealand.

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 that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

Applications must address experience against the role responsibilities and required competencies in the cover letter and also include a current CV.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

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.