View Vacancy - Head of Internal Communications- HEO, Islamabad

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

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Kindly expect some delay in response and please reach out to SAAD.Recruit@fcdo.gov.uk, if you have any further questions.

Main purpose of job: 

To work with a great team to deliver first class internal communication and engagement on issues that matter to our staff across the Pakistan Network.

The Head of Internal Communication will lead and implement an insight-led internal communication plan for UK in Pakistan which includes the largest mission – Islamabad – in our overseas network; advise leaders; engage with our diverse staff and community in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi; deliver change communication especially following the merger of FCO and DFID into FCDO; and provide regular evaluation on impact and staff morale/motivation. 

The successful applicant will be passionate about employee engagement and understand how it is at the heartbeat of successful organisations; have knowledge of building a strong culture and values in  the workplace; have experience of taking teams through change; work well under pressure including in crisis situations; and be able to work independently and as part of a team.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The ideal candidate will have a communication/PR/marketing background ideally with experience of working in internal and/or change communication in the public or private sector.

This job is at the heart of our efforts to better engage and communicate with colleagues around the world including in Pakistan. You will oversee key areas of our internal communication work, from policy priorities to the corporate issues that staff really care about, and help to shape the development of our communication channels.

A major part of the job will be helping to take our network through change in the context of global uncertainty by advising senior leaders on effective staff engagement, and ensure that all internal communication is relevant, timely, honest and transparent. You will help to nurture a strong values based culture (our values are Respect, Collaboration and Professionalism) and further develop our sense of one community and values.

You will bring creativity and new ideas to develop and improve our internal communication channels, including making the best use of digital and to enable more virtual ways of working. You will liaise with the internal communication team in the UK providing feedback on how messaging is landing in Pakistan and develop networks to help join up our internal communication effort overseas.

You will need to be creative and curious, confident enough to share your ideas, and perceptive enough to encourage others to share theirs too.  We encourage a fun and creative atmosphere where we can turn thoughts into ideas and ideas into action. This is key to give us the leading edge when we are looking at how we can make the most difference.

The ideal candidate should be a good team player and loves being part of a nice but busy team. This means you’re committed, can be counted on to get the job done and are inclusive and respectful of other people’s opinions.

You will be able to prioritise work and be flexible when needed for example helping out during crises. A big part of the role includes reaching out and developing good relationships with a diverse range of partners.

You will enjoy delivering through virtual teams and empowering others, enabling staff to deliver their very best.

Day to day responsibilities include: 

  • Draw on insight to develop and improve our internal communication channels so that we reach and engage staff more effectively. Ensure that our impact is evaluated regularly with any actionable insights applied.
  • Work with the Pakistan Board and leadership teams to increase the impact of our internal communications on Pakistan strategy.
  • Research and monitor staff perceptions to help inform internal communication activity.
  • Build capacity of line managers to effectively communicate with staff and the network on corporate priorities
  • Develop and implement focused internal communication measurable campaigns with SMART objectives applied
  • Progress quality conversations on our values – Respect, Collaboration, Professionalism – through creativity and innovation in channels.
  • Engage with colleagues across the global network on our internal priorities and ensure a regular flow of case studies from Pakistan, sharing best practise and applying lessons learned.
  • Editorial control over staff newsletters and chair weekly all staff meetings.

Resources Managed:

2

Learning and development opportunities:

We want to attract the best diverse talent to join the @UKinPakistan team, and in return are committed to ensuring that all of our staff are able to be their very best and flourish.  We’re committed to supporting staff aspirations and goals.

Our strong L&D offer includes access to training provided in house; shadowing and mentoring opportunities; access to funds for professional qualifications; regular masterclasses from experts (including from private and public sector); and opportunities to get involved in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office corporate agenda across our global network.   

There are regular opportunities to travel overseas including to present at conferences on strategic communications, and to support capability building of the global network through visits to Posts.

We are a supportive and fun team to work in. We hold regular team lunches, back each other up during busy times,  and celebrate our achievements and lessons learned together.  

You will get to work on real world issues which means that no day can be the same; and you will get to see the difference that effective communications can make first hand.

  • 3-7 years of experience of using research tools and evaluation techniques for communications.
  • PR, advertising and/or communication skills including experience of working in a busy communications environment and developing cutting edge campaigns activity.
  • Ability to develop strong narratives for internal and external use
  • Experience of delivering change in large and/or global organisations
  • Knowledge of international affairs
  • Championing and promoting diversity and inclusion policies

Language requirements:  

Language: English and Urdu 

Level of language required: Fluent


Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
23 May 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time
41
South Asia & Afghanistan
Pakistan
Islamabad
British High Commission
1
PKR
PKR 234,123 per month
1 August 2022

Salary Details:

For BHC candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply. For other than BHC candidates the basic salary will be ­­PKR 234,123 per month.

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance. 

Around half of our work forces are women.  We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment. 

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

’Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

To Apply: 

Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.

A.    Complete the Online Application Form

B.    Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 23rd May 2022 (latest by 23:55 hours PKT).  

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission

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. 

Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.

The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

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.