View Vacancy - SIN - Communications Manager, EO
Main purpose of job:
Singapore and the United Kingdom are like-minded, innovative and forward-looking partners. This relationship is poised to grow even stronger in areas as diverse as international trade, science & innovation and climate change & energy.
To drive our media engagement around these and several other vital and varied issues, the High Commission is looking for a Communications Manager.
This is an exciting, fun and high-profile role which will offer candidates the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through their work. We are looking for a seasoned communications expert with experience in delivering high-impact media engagement, leveraging a diverse mix of channels in print, broadcast, & social media and building an extensive network of media partners.
You’ll be part of a small, but mighty, Communications Team that works collaboratively with colleagues across the High Commission in Singapore and counterparts in London. You will not only have a front row seat to important global events but also gain valuable experience of working inside a diplomatic mission and witness first-hand the real world impact of our work.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?
You will work cross-functionally to help communicate with journalists and other thought leaders; devise communications materials and campaigns; engage in face-to-face meetings with influencers, bloggers and commentators; and develop print and web-based material to support these campaigns.
You have scope to define your own priorities but your day to day work is likely to involve:
- Developing clear, concise, and differentiated external communications to improve perception of the UK in Singapore
- Developing and implementing media plans, including cultivating relationships with key journalists
- Researching, writing, and distributing press releases, maintaining media lists and coordinating with news services
- Prepare briefings, quick-fire ‘explainers’, op-eds and speaking points on strategic and topical policy issues
- Setting up interviews and placing articles
- Handling media engagement around important VIP and ministerial visits
- Developing a working network of relevant journalists and media outlets.
Essential on Arrival:
- Professional experience in media, journalism, PR or public policy
- A wide range of established media relationships in Singapore
- Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills
- Working knowledge of current and strategic political, media and communications issues
- Proven background in liaising with journalists and key stakeholders
- Track record of developing and delivering (end-to-end) effective comms strategies
- Ability to build great relationships and coalitions with diverse stakeholders
- Self-starter, happy to work in an often-changing, flexible way, meeting tight deadlines, juggling tasks and rolling up sleeves.
VISA/Passport Requirements:
We welcome applications from candidates in countries from which travel to Singapore is feasible under the prevailing Covid-related border restrictions. Singapore will only allow entry for those fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved under the WHO EUL. Successful overseas applicants are responsible for all costs associated with relocating to Singapore.
Desirable:
- University or college degree (preferably in communications, journalism or public policy)
- Experience in working in government, non-profit or news organisation will be an advantage.
- Background in business journalism or broadcast media would be an advantage.
We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary of SGD 4,738 per month and a generous annual wage supplement (as part of total guaranteed remuneration) of an additional 2 months’ salary paid out in December each year, Central Provident Fund (CPF) payment in lieu for non-Permanent Resident foreign nationals, 23-days annual leave entitlement and a health insurance plan. The basic salary is non-negotiable.
We have a generous leave offer including: 23 days annual leave, increasing to 25 after 5 years' service, with the option to carry over up to 10 days into the subsequent leave year; 13 public holidays; generous maternity and paternity leave; and childcare leave. We encourage volunteerism and offer up to 3 days paid volunteer leave.
We offer medical insurance to support staff with the high costs of healthcare in Singapore and periodic reimbursement for the cost of eye tests and replacement eye wear.
Learning and development opportunities:
We offer time and financial support for the successful candidate to take advantage of professional learning and development opportunities inside and outside of the organisation.
The BHC has an active Learning & Development Committee which works hard to provide a comprehensive L&D offer. There is a wide range of options available for personal development including training courses, coaching and mentoring, job-shadowing, presentations and learning sets. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the International Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all available opportunities.
All new hires undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses that must be completed in order to pass probation.
Working Patterns:
Normal working hours are 37.5 per week: 8.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday.
BHC Singapore supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering.
Please note that the High Commission is currently operating on the basis that all staff will work from the office for a minimum of 60% of their time. The post holder may also be required to work flexibly to staff in-person events and visits out of hours, subject to operational requirements. Flexible working hours and time off in lieu arrangements apply in these circumstances
Other Information:
In addition to the duties which this job normally entails, you may from time to time be required to undertake additional or other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the High Commission, including playing a part in the corporate life of the mission and supporting any crisis response.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a local work permit which we will sponsor.
Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Singapore employment law.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Only short-listed applications will be called for personal interviews.
The British High Commission is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation. Our values of Collaboration, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence (CORE) are our guiding principles. We aspire to live our values consistently in order to make the British High Commission a great place to work where staff feel valued, supported and inspired to be their best.
Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Singapore employment law. Applicants should be aware that Singapore government has mandated that from 1 January 2022 only employees who are fully vaccinated can return to the workplace and from 14 February 2022, workers will need to have taken a booster dose to maintain their fully vaccinated status beyond 270 days from the last dose in their primary vaccination series.
Please note that all successful candidates will be expected to serve a minimum of 6 months in their new role before being eligible to apply for further positions within the British High Commission.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline."
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
