View Vacancy - Spokesperson C4 Madrid (ESP18.125)

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

The British Embassy in Madrid is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now recruiting for a Spokesperson.

This is an exciting and unique role at the British Embassy, Madrid, working on varied, fast-paced and often political issues, in the heart of our dynamic communications team. As spokesperson, you will be responsible for our relations with the media in Spain, for the Ambassador’s engagement with the media, and in support of our broader communications strategy to help deliver the top priorities for the Embassy, ranging from Brexit, to bilateral policy and reducing passport theft as part of our consular prevention work.

Prior experience working with the Spanish media is essential.

You will be a key part of our friendly comms team, working closely with almost all other Embassy teams, and across the network of consulates that the UK has across Spain. It is an exciting time to be working at the heart of the UK-Spain bilateral relationship, and there will be opportunities for travel with the role, alongside a full package of learning and development. The British Embassy in Madrid is a supportive working environment which also embraces flexible working.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • British Embassy Madrid spokesperson, providing responses and government lines to Spanish media, English language media, and British correspondents based in Spain, in co-ordination with UK Foreign Office and other UK government media offices.  
  • Proactive media engagement, spotting opportunities to showcase UK policies and underlining the strength of our bilateral relationship with Spain, in line with Embassy and UK government priorities. Working across teams in the Spain Network.
  • Developing HMA media engagement plan, including with key contacts in the Spanish media, at national and regional level, including key editors and commentators.  Arranging interviews and briefings for HMA with Spanish media.
  • Oversight of media monitoring and analysis, including evaluation of media tone and sentiment, in order to produce daily reports for London.
  • Crisis media manager, developing contacts and understanding Embassy crisis procedures.
  • Deputise for the Director of Communications.
  • At least 5 years of communications and media experience in Spain.
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
  • Fluent Spanish and English (minimum Level C1 – see Notes).
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Ability to grasp complex issues quickly and communicate them in an effective way.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines under little supervision.
  • Ability to respond flexibly to changing priorities, and occasionally work out of hours.
  • Experience in crisis communications.
  • Willingness to travel within Spain and to other countries when required.
  • Experience or knowledge of working in an international environment.
  • Awareness of the work of the British Embassy and Consulates across Spain.
  • Keen interest in the politics, economics, current affairs and modern history of Spain.
  • Knowledge of UK and Spanish government institutions and procedures.
  • Line-management experience.
4 April 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Spain
Madrid
British Embassy
EUR
52,427.90
1 May 2018

This is a full-time permanent contract. The working hours are Monday- Friday 09:00-17:30.

The successful candidate will be subject to a confirmation of a background check and security clearance.

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Spanish Social Security Scheme and will therefore not be entitled to any gratuity from the Embassy/Consulate based on gross annual salary.

The British Embassy is a Diplomatic Mission with tax exempt status and does not collect taxes for other States. Employees are fully responsible for payment of Spanish income tax at the legally required rate. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Spain are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Spanish employment law.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. 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. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

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.