View Vacancy - Digital, Press and Public Affairs Officer B3 (04/21 ABJ)
(Main purpose of job:
The British High Commission wishes to recruit a creative, organised and dynamic strategic communications professional to join the UK Government’s Communications network in Nigeria as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be part of our small but busy Communications team to support and lead on the management and evaluation of impact of our digital communications work and take an active role in the broader communications delivery as a part of our busy press and media engagement portfolio.
The Digital Press Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the UK government in Nigeria is able to communicate effectively and innovatively across a range of digital media channels, including our gov.uk website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, capitalising on links between digital, traditional and public diplomacy events. Duties will include, but will not be limited to, designing text and audio-visual material for use on the BHC media channels, and working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver HMG messages through digital platforms.
The successful candidate will also provide tailored communications planning support to HMG departments working on the BHC platform and be required to deliver excellent public diplomacy events.
The successful candidate will be a confident and effective communicator and an able strategist who can identify the correct audiences, calibrating the right key messages and innovatively help to shape the UKs narrative as a global force for good through a range of digital, traditional and if necessary unconventional communication channels, with a primary focus on digital outreach, monitoring and digital and traditional media evaluation.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Design, implement, monitor and evaluate impact-driven cross HMG digital communications strategies that includes effective positioning, stakeholder engagement and advocacy to create and leverage communications opportunities
- Manage the British High Commission Abuja webpages and digital media platforms, including .gov.uk, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram ensuring content is up to date and of high quality
- Monitor and analyse current events and opinion in the media including preparing media reviews detailing the success and reach of messaging, working with internal and external partners to identify and flag topics of interest or reputational risk related to the UK Government in Nigeria
- Work with Abuja and Lagos based HMG departments, including British Council, DFID, DIT, UK Border Force and UKVI to establish and implement appropriate digital and campaign plans and to ensure that HMG communication is coordinated, audience focused and impactful
- Initiate and maintain effective relationships with key internal stakeholders (including policy and programme leads across HMGs network in Nigeria) and external partners (other international donors, civil society, academia, business, government agencies, etc in close coordination with internal policy and programme leads) to identify opportunities for possible strategic partnerships and to strengthen the UK Government overall effectiveness and image in Nigeria
- Keep a well organised electronic library of photos and audio/visual files for use in publications, productions or for release to the media
- Photograph and record BHC and other HMG departments’ activities as required
- Monitor digital, print and broadcast media for issues of interest to the UK mission in Nigeria
- Prepare draft news releases for the press
- Provide briefing and media handling support to the Head of Communications, the High Commissioner and other senior officials as required
- Qualified to undergraduate degree level or equivalent demonstrable work experience
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English
- Highly organised, able to take initiative and to work accurately within deadlines and with limited supervision in a fast paced environment
- Strong networking and relationship management skills and the ability to work collaboratively with staff of all levels from within the Nigeria Communications Team, across HMG teams working on Nigeria, the Africa Comms Hub and with the Nigeria Unit in London, as well as with external partners where necessary
- Good knowledge of social media, including the ability to design, strategise and analyse usage in order to shape BHC engagement and to focus campaigns
- Familiarity with messaging for digital diplomacy
- Attention to detail and comfortable producing accurate digital content under pressure
- Experience working in an international organisation
- A willingness to learn new skills and champion your own professional development agenda
- Previous experience in public relations, marketing or media, including developing and implementing media communication plans/media campaigns and managing events
- Project or event management/experience
Learning and development opportunities:
The British High Commission is proactive in supporting learning and development. There will be opportunities to attend International Communications, Digital in the FCO, online and regional training courses.
Working patterns:
Flexible arrangements should be discussed with the hiring manager.
- 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, 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.
- Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Abuja are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
- All applicants must be legally able to work in the country of application with the correct visa/status or work permit.
- 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.
- Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted.
- Any questions you may have about this position will be answered during the interview, should you be invited.
- Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework
- Successful candidates not resident in Country will be personally liable for costs and arrangements to relocate, including accommodation and work permits.
- Complete the application form in full as the information provided will be used for screening purposes.
- Check your application and attachments before you submit your application, as you will not be able to make any changes once submitted.
- The British High Commission will never ask you to pay a fee or money to apply for a position.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
