View Vacancy - JPN (Tokyo) - Head of Press and Publications, Higher Executive Officer

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:

Lead the Japan Network’s strategic media relations approach to ensure appropriate Japanese and UK media are used to effectively promote UK values, government policy and deliver on the Japan Network’s Country Plan objectives. 
 
Cultivate and maintain effective relationships among key Japanese media personnel (print, TV, digital) in Japan and Japanese media based in UK to help further strategic objectives of Japan Network.
  
Ensure media opportunities are taken and successfully managed during visits to Japan by VIPs and for cross network events and campaigns.  
 
Provide strategic planning and advice on press engagement to others in the Japan Network and contribute effective press engagement plans for campaigns and wider communications plans, guiding and supporting two press and communications officers to ensure they are both capably reactive and proactive in their work.   

Ensure quality and tone of translated Japanese language materials for public dissemination, such as press releases, opinion pieces, brochures, speeches and adverts, providing guidelines on style.

What will the Jobholder be Expected to Achieve:

Develop and analyse strategic media engagement and communications plans (30%):

  • Develop effective strategic media engagement plans that enhance the delivery, outcomes and impact of the Japan Network objectives.
  • Evaluate effectiveness of media engagement plans and apply lessons learned to future planning.
  • Ensure that media monitoring tools, such as Meltwater, are used effectively to evaluate, inform and improve communications activities and campaigns.
  • Direct and maintain oversight of Japan Network’s channels and means of communications, such as social media and media engagement, through clear forward planning tools.

Cultivate and maintain a powerful media network (20%): 

  • Pro-actively develop and maintain a network of media contacts and influencers and use these to effect change in Japanese press reporting and public perception on the UK, engaging support of senior/relevant Japan Network colleagues as appropriate.
  • Build an extensive network of relationships across government communications individuals in Whitehall, including the FCDO, DIT and the Prime Minister’s office, to confidently adapt or deliver successful media support to campaigns or VIP visits.

Effective management of press handling for events and VIP visits (20%) including: 

  • Liaise directly with government departments; take responsibility for press engagement work for VIP visitors to Japan, identifying and suggesting best opportunities and liaising as needed with visit officers in Japan and the UK.  
  • Manage media activities such as press conferences and products, such as press releases. Take a lead in the planning stages to ensure strategic focus, measurable impact, relevance for the audience and professional delivery. Will be expected to chair or MC press events.

Excellent people management and leadership (20%) including: 

  • Line management of 2-3 press and communications officers in Tokyo and Osaka; invested in staff development and performance.
  • Effective management of busy workflows; ensure adequate resourcing during staff leave.
  • Confident engagement with senior management; provide advice and training to other Japan Network staff on press engagement and media insight.
  • Act as head of department when required and be part of department management team. Take a key role in Crisis Media team.

Editorial guidance and oversight (10%), including: 

  • Responsible for consistently in quality and tone in the output of Japanese written communications products, from brochures, advertorials and press releases to briefings and speeches, created for the Japan Network.  
  • Create and update guidelines on editorial standards for Japanese language materials from the Japan Network that help build understanding and capacity.
  • Ensure any material translated into Japanese (e.g., press releases, briefing documents and opinions pieces) are of a high quality and suitable for targeted audiences e.g., business audiences.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

  • Line management of up to 3 communications officers.
  • Budgets: FY translation, travel, entertainment and representational budget.
  • 5+ years’ experience in senior public relations position.  
  • Experience managing diverse staff.
  • Proven experience working with Japanese media  
  • Deep knowledge of Japanese media and proven ability to engage Japanese audiences.
  • Strong IT skills, (including standard Microsoft Office programmes and familiarity with latest digital tools).
  • English language at IELTS band 7 or TOEIC 875 points or above or equivalent, with experience of working in an English-speaking environment

Language Requirements:

  • Language: Japanese and English
  • Level of language required: English (spoken and written) business level; Japanese (spoken and written) fluent.
  • Holds relevant industry qualification or certification in communications, marketing and/or project management.
  • Expertise in relevant digital platforms, production and techniques.
  • Familiarity with government communications, policy and priorities.
  • Budget management skills and experiences.
Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
3 February 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Asia Pacific
Japan
Tokyo
British Embassy
1
JPY
JPY 726,846
3 March 2023
  • 1 month salary bonus equivalents payable in June and December
    (Note: Salary may be reduced due to tax status)
  • Commuting allowance of up to JPY35,000 per month (paid on an actual cost basis)
  • 25 days paid annual leave (calculated pro rata)
  • Health Insurance and Employee pension (kenko hoken/kosei nenkin)
  • Employment Insurance (koyou hoken).

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must be eligible to work and reside in the (country) and candidate's residence/work permit is your own responsibility.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Staff recruited locally by the (Embassy) is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local (country) employment law.

Working Patterns:

The British Embassy Tokyo supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering. This particular role allows for flexibility in start and end times, working compressed hours, remote working for up to two days per week, and the possibility of a job share arrangement, subject to agreement with management.

Office attendance is required at least three days per week to process in-person tasks. Working from home is possible for one-two days per week.

Learning and Development Opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The British Embassy offers comprehensive learning and development opportunities that will be fully available to the jobholder. We regularly run both work area specific training, as well as more general skills development in project management, finance, and leadership. Each year the job holder will be encouraged to use 5 development days to pursue job related and personal development goals.

All staff are required to take a role in the embassy’s crisis preparation and response. Full training will be provided for this, and regular opportunities will be available to test and develop your skills.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

Note: 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.
 
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

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.

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.