View Vacancy - AUS (Canberra) - Head of Australia Network Communications, D6(L)
Main purpose of job:
To lead the UK government’s communications work in Australia. To provide strategic oversight of and ensure alignment between communications from all UK government departments present in Australia. To devise and deliver high quality communications strategies and products that promote the full range of UK government priorities.
This role is a 0.8 FTE, or 4 days per week equivalent.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the UK government’s communications effort in Australia by bringing together all communications strands under single leadership to develop and deliver communications strategies in Australia. Ensure alignment of UK government communications while enabling operational autonomy of Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department of International Trade communications teams.
- Specific responsibility for developing and delivering communications approaches to cross-cutting trade, prosperity and political campaigns. This will include communications aspects of our FTA, COP26 and Soft Power campaigns, all of which have trade, public and political components. Liaise closely with communications leads in relevant UK arms-length bodies present in Australia (e.g. British Council and Visit Britain) and with government departments in London to tailor wider communications strategies to Australian audiences and objectives.
- Direct oversight of Foreign and Commonwealth Office communications, including Consular and Foreign and Security Policy products and delivery. You will ensure that communications acts as a delivery tool in pursuit of UK objectives such as consular prevention work, the UK as a force for good in Australia’s region and the wider world, and our security collaboration with Australia.
- Joint oversight with the Head of Trade and Investment for Australia and New Zealand of the DIT Communications and Marketing Team’s output in Australia, ensuring that it aligns with the UK’s broader priorities as well as delivering high quality, targetted trade campaign.
- Work directly to the High Commissioner, acting as the High Commission’s Press Secretary and where necessary Official Spokesperson, working with a variety of media including print, broadcast, digital and social media to maximise her public profile.
- Provide direct support to Ministers and other senior visitors, as well as Consuls General and other senior staff in Australia on their communications and media engagement, leading on the development and delivery of comprehensive communications plans as required to ensure high impact communications outcomes for public facing elements of visits and other work.
- Maximise accurate coverage of the UK, reflecting the British government’s viewpoint by proactively and reactively briefing media contacts and responding to their questions, providing media and digital support to colleagues across the Australia network; organising press events; writing media talking points or a speech for the High Commissioner etc.
- Lead on crisis communications and crisis communications preparedness, ensuring that communications best practice is embedded and that non-communications specialists are appropriately skilled to be able to join the communications team should a crisis emerge.
- Act as Senior Regional Communicator for the Oceania region, providing support and guidance to communications teams in 8 countries, sharing best practice and, where necessary, coordinating shared communications approaches.
Please note: this role is being advertised as a fixed term contract for one-and-a-half years. There may be the possibility of extending depending on the status of the FTA negotiations and the wider context of the UK priorities in Australia. A decision on extension will be taken towards the end of the fixed contract period.
The role is being advertised as 0.8 FTE, or the equivalent of four days per five day working week. This arrangement will be subject to review at the point that a decision on extension is taken.
Please note that this job specification may be subject to change in line with evolving business priorities.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Direct Line Management of the FCO Communications Manager. Countersigning of DIT Head of Communications and Marketing for Australia and New Zealand and FCO Communications Officer. Management of a small budget to support communications activity in Australia.
Essential on arrival:
- Good working knowledge of the Australian media environment and the UK system of government and international priorities.
- A strong record of developing and delivering communications strategies across a range of priorities, ideally in a government communications context.
- A record of communicating with impact, using a range of oral and written formats, in a clear and concise style. Understand how to use of different forms of media, including new media, for reaching different audiences.
- Ability to handle the media confidently and professionally, building trusting relationships and communicating messages effectively and accurately.
- Ability to build cooperative and productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders regardless of status.
- Good knowledge of Trade Policy issues, including but not limited to knowledge of trade negotiations, the WTO and its functions and wider trade related issues.
- Knowledge and understanding of the UK’s climate change policies, and domestic and international security and foreign relations priorities.
AUD 148,519 per annum for 1.0 FTE (prorated pay $118,815.20 for 0.8FTE) +11% superannuation
Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.
Open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and partners/ dependents of UK-based diplomatic staff currently posted in Australia.
A security check (and clearance) may be required prior to employment.
Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission and its Consulates is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Australian employment law. Interstate applicants will be required to meet their own travel and relocation expenses.
The British Government supports flexible working practices for all employees. Within the Australia Network of posts, employees are supported by the Flexible Working Policy. Any flexible working arrangement is to be agreed between the line manager and successful candidate.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the FCO Diplomatic Academy.
There are opportunities to job-shadow other staff, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in broader British High Commission activities.
The British High Commission is committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.
Working patterns:
The British High Commission supports flexible working – but there are some limitations in this role due to the need to support the High Commissioner closely. Work outside of core hours may sometimes be required.
The British High Commission is a dynamic, supportive environment and there will be opportunities to be involved in the wider work of the mission.
Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”
Applications must 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.
Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
