View Vacancy - LAO - Policy and Communications Officer B3(L)
Main purpose of job:
The jobholder leads on all communications efforts by the British Embassy and advises the Ambassador in this area. He/she will work as part of the Embassy team in a friendly and supportive environment. The jobholder should have experience in communications work and an interest in international affairs.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:
Policy work:
- Close working with Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission and other members of the political team to develop co-operation between the UK and Laos, with delegated responsibility for the development of the policy agenda in specific thematic areas.
- Background research on domestic and regional political and economic issues affecting Laos.
- Support to project management for projects funded under the Foreign Office’ Global Britain Fund.
- Liaison with government, civil society, UK business and other stakeholders.
Communications work:
- Develop and implement campaigns for communicating the breadth of the Embassy’s activities to an external audience
- Manage and edit the Embassy’s website, Facebook page and Instagram account
- Regular liaison with Lao and international media outlets
- Organising press conferences, drafting press releases, articles and speeches and setting up media interviews for the Ambassador and other UK visitors to Lao
- Lead on Embassy events and promotional activities
- Advise the Ambassador and DHM on communications and media opportunities
- Develop and lead on the implementation of GREAT campaigns (marketing campaigns for specific areas of UK expertise)
- Fluent written and spoken English.
- At least 3 year experience working in a communications/business/political role in an office or Embassy, some if which must have been gained in an international or English-speaking environment.
- Interest in social media and finding creative ways to connect with people
- A good general understanding of the political and economic landscape in Laos.
- Ability to work under own initiative, and at times under pressure, but also to work effectively as part of a small team.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience of working with government and the media an advantage.
Training opportunities will be provided, as necessary, for the successful applicant. This will involve travel to the UK and an opportunity to undertake consular regional training and other Foreign & Commonwealth Learning & Development opportunities.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and the British Embassy, Vientiane is an excellent place to work to enhance your L&D and your skill set, with a varied array of training courses (online and classroom-based) available, as well as the opportunity to bid for job-shadowing and participate in overseas workshops and courses. You will receive good training to become familiar with this role and also be expected to ‘buddy’ any new starts in the office.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain work authorisation for Laos in order to apply.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Vientiane are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Lao employment law.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Only short-listed applications will be called for personal interviews.
The British Embassy is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
All applications must be received before 7 September 2018 23:55 Laos Time.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
