View Vacancy - Chief Communications Officer – Foreign Policy & National Security

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 job:

The British Embassy in Washington is seeking a highly motivated and creative individual for the position of Chief Communications Officer – Foreign Policy and National Security. The job holder’s priority will be to communicate the UK’s foreign policy priorities to a US audience, highlighting the UK-US national security relationship and promoting the UK’s standing as a major player on the international stage.

They will work closely with the British Embassy’s US network to support and improve communications across its eight consulate-generals and build strong links with counterparts in London.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

  • Act as the day-to-day lead on foreign policy and national security communications.
  • Identify opportunities to deliver on the embassy’s foreign policy communications plan, develop key messaging and proactively find opportunities for engagement.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key state department, diplomatic and national security correspondents to promote the work of the UK.
  • Use creative and engaging ways to promote the UK-US’ shared foreign policy priorities, working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Monitor media, to identify opportunities to promote the UK-US global security partnership and to counter negative and incorrect reporting.
  • Lead on media arrangements for Ministerial visits from the UK, identifying opportunities and delivering on media engagement.
  • Accompany senior foreign policy officials, and visiting senior officials on media engagements – providing briefing and support as required.
  • Provide out of hours press office support.
  • Work to the Deputy Head of Communications (Foreign Policy & Defence) and wider team to deliver the foreign policy communications strategy.
  • Cultivate and maintain excellent relationships with US and UK counterparts including in key government departments to coordinate communications and promote long-term events.
  • Work closely with the digital communications team to gather and create content for use across social media channels.
  • Support the internal communications of the US network: collating and distributing information for foreign policy colleagues to ensure they are informed and equipped to carry out their roles.
  • University degree or equivalent qualification
  • 4+ years relevant experience in communications, public relations or media
  • Understanding of and interest in global foreign policy and national security
  • In depth understanding of US media landscape
  • Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in communicating with senior level officials, politicians or executives
  • A proactive, self-starter with strong time management skills
  • Experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders and broad network of contacts

Knowledge of UK media landscape

4 March 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time, Temporary
40
12 months
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
$62,721
26 April 2021

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

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.

The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

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.