View Vacancy - Press & Public Affairs Assistant

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

Applications are invited for the full-time position of Press and Public Affairs Assistant in the Communications Team at the UK Mission to the United Nations (UKMIS). The successful candidate will at the UK Mission to provide administrative support, organise public diplomacy events and act as the Mission’s photographer.

The post holder will join a team of four responsible for communicating UK government policy objectives and actions at the UN to the UK and international press as well as the wider public. The team’s work covers the breadth of UKMIS priorities including international peace and security, development and human rights.

The Communications Team has a strong reputation with journalists, other Missions and the UN for being a go-to source of information on the top issues of the day. It is a busy, high-energy team, at the heart of the Mission, working closely with the UK Ambassadors to the UN. As a team, we are committed to learning and development and being creative and innovative when furthering UK objectives. The post holder will be expected to develop their photography skills so that they can act as the Mission’s photographer in support of social media activity or Ministerial visits.

The post holder will also provide essential administrative support to ensure the timely flow and management of information from the Comms team to the wider Mission and UN press corps. The post holder will be responsible for managing logistics around weekly press briefings by the Ambassador to the UN press corps as well as logistics for ad hoc meetings and public diplomacy events, such as exhibitions at the UN. The successful candidate may also be required to take on occasional support tasks for teams from across the Mission depending on the overall priorities and workload. 

  • Prepare and issue Mission press releases and draft routine correspondence.
  • Gather and distribute press cuttings of international media coverage.
  • Transcribe public statements made by the Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador, distribute to journalists and prepare for website.
  • Organise logistics for weekly press briefings, regular student briefings and other meetings.
  • Maintain PPA media documents and contact databases.
  • Handle media accreditation requests for visiting journalists to the UN.
  • Support the work of the Head of Digital and contribute to the Mission’s social media presence with content, including still and video photography
  • Lead on the planning of public diplomacy events, including Mission sponsored events held at the UN (exhibits, conferences, performances)
  • Act as the team contact point with UN Event and Security Teams.
  • Take photos of relevant meetings, and act as the official UK photographer for high-level events and Ministerial visits.
  • Bachelor’s degree or minimum of two years work experience in a relevant field.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a larger team.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities across a range of tasks and responsibilities that require long-term planning as well as reaction to urgent day-to-day developments.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet based search tools.
  • Strong understanding of social media.
  • Interest in photography.
  • Public sector experience.
  • Knowledge of the work of the UN.
  • Familiarity with the UK Government
  • Photography experience
1 May 2016
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
UK Mission to the United Nations, New York
International Organisation Delegation
1
USD
$43,056
27 June 2016

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package.  This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.

The target salary for this position is $43,056 to be confirmed upon offer of employment. Individuals who are not US taxpaying citizen will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status.

Staff recruited locally by the UK Mission to the United Nations are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local US employment law.

Resume and a cover letter with salary history should be submitted by 1 May 2016. Please identify in your cover letter whether you are currently eligible to work at the Mission.  Internal candidates must address their resumes through the Head of Group before applying.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. 

We welcome candidates of any race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, age, or any other category. The Mission is committed to building a diverse environment. UKMIS New York prides itself on upholding the principles of diversity and inclusion and providing equal opportunities for all.

We strive to nurture a diverse workforce by promoting policies that emphasize fairness, transparency, creativity and a comfortable and safe working environment in which individual differences are respected and the contributions of all staff are recognized and valued. The Mission values honesty, integrity, professionalism, and teamwork. Treating all colleagues with respect is fundamental. We have a zero tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment and discrimination. 

We want staff to express themselves freely, to think creatively and to feel free to challenge policy perspectives constructively. The Mission supports the professional learning and development of all colleagues.  While the UN schedule can be demanding and occasionally inflexible, the Mission’s leadership is committed to doing all it can to improve the work/life balance of its staff, and encourages flexible working when possible.

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.