View Vacancy - Public Relations & Marketing Manager - EO - Colombo

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.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)

"Note: It is mandatory for all applicants to complete the online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and competency questions. The applications which completed all required fields will only be thoroughly reviewed by us. Forms that are incomplete in any aspect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

Main purpose of job:

To plan and deliver public relations activity and publicity events for the British High Commission (BHC) in Sri Lanka.   To deliver communication campaigns and plans that communicate UK policy to target audiences effectively.  To market the UK government’s scholarship programmes and cultivate a network of alumni.  Organise networking activities with alumni to help the BHC further its policy goals.

Roles and responsibilities: 

We are looking for a creative, dynamic and confident Public Relations and Marketing Manager.  

This is a busy and demanding role. You will report to the Head of Public Diplomacy, as well as the High Commissioner and senior management team. You will work closely with policy leads across the wider mission to organise and deliver high profile publicity events such as the annual King’s Birthday Party, and you will directly support Ministerial and senior official visits. 

You will be responsible for creating and delivering campaigns to raise awareness of the UK and all it has to offer in terms of education, culture and sport, as well as promoting the UK-Sri Lanka relationship, our people-to-people links and strong commonwealth ties.  You will work closely with the British Council and other organisations, businesses and charities, identifying areas for collaboration, and leading on delivery. You will need strong networking and communication skills to develop and manage a wide range of contacts. You will need to be resilient, adaptable and creative in order to deliver progress in areas central to the success of the BHC’s objectives. 

You will design marketing plans for the UK government’s Prestigious Chevening scholarship and fellowships. You will be responsible for delivering those plans to encourage a wide and diverse range of applications demonstrating UK values on inclusion and diversity. This will include travelling across the country, speaking at businesses, universities and government ministries, delivering presentations on the scholarship and all it has to offer. You will manage the selection process, arrange interview panels, and maintain close engagement with the cohort. 

You will lead the BHC’s relationship with Sri Lanka’s Chevening Alumni network, as well as connecting with the British Council’s alumni network. You will manage and deliver an alumni engagement plan that supports BHC policy goals, developing new areas of activity targeting future leaders including among alumni networks, leveraging the next generation’s connections to the UK. You will identify opportunities for the High Commission to engage with influential Sri Lankans and build on our successful Chevening scholarship programme to ensure we get the best candidates, maximising future connections between the UK and Sri Lanka.    

You will be expected to identify communications opportunities for the BHC, including producing personalised communications for the High Commissioner in line with UK policy priorities. You will need to take a proactive approach, spotting upcoming opportunities (such as Commonwealth Day; significant sports events; people-to-people stories), promoting all the positive aspects of the UK-Sri Lanka relationship. You will need to provide input on speeches, press releases and briefings for visits and media interviews. 

As a member of the Public Diplomacy and Communications team, you will be expected to cover other roles, such as the Head of Team and the Communications Officer. This will include providing close support and advice to the High Commissioner on communications opportunities, drafting and publishing communications, liaising with the local media, and media monitoring and reporting. 

You will need to be proactive, organised and energetic, and be able to work well with internal and external stakeholders. You will also need to be resilient, flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities. 

Language requirements: 

Language: English 

Level of language required: The jobholder should be fluent in written and spoken English. Sinhala and Tamil language skills would be an advantage.

Learning and development opportunities:   

The job holder will attend an International Communications Skills training course, delivered by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This could take place virtually, regionally or in the UK. The job holder will also be able to access a wide range of online and face-to-face learning.

Essential on arrival:

  • Previous marketing & public relations experience aimed at delivering on a business plan.
  • Experience in campaign planning in the fields of communications and public relations.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Familiarity with digital communications platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), and ability to deliver key messages through social media.
  • Experience of helping an organisation to build a network of contacts and then draw from that network to fulfil its business plan.
  • Confidence in public speaking.
  • Understanding of the Sri Lankan media environment.

Desirable:

  • Previous experience working in an international organisation.
  • Photography skills.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
4 December 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term
40
24 months
South Asia & Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Colombo
British High Commission
1
LKR
LKR 140,099 + EPF 12% + ETF 3% per month per month. The current equivalent USD salary paid (at fixed corporate exchange rate from March 2022) is USD 692.00 per month.
3 January 2023

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply. 

For other than BHC candidates, starting salary will be LKR 140,099 + EPF 12% + ETF 3% per month per month. The current equivalent USD salary paid (at fixed corporate exchange rate from March 2022) is USD 692.00 per month. Other benefits include 13 month’s salary (pro-rated) and medical insurance coverage.

'Please note that the current salaries are being dollarized and processed in USD (pegged to a fixed corporate exchange rate from March 2022) to provide cushion against the current external market conditions. This is a temporary measure and is subject to review at regular intervals. The payroll will revert to local currency processing once the external market conditions are normalised.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. 

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system.  The High Commission takes pride in its organisational culture and its strong and diverse team. We offer leave entitlements as per Sri Lankan labour laws.  

We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

Please note that applications will only be considered with (a) and (b):

(a)  Complete the Online Application Form

(b)  Complete the Motivation 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). They should also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications received by ­­midnight on 04th December 2022 (Sri Lanka Standard Time).  

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

  • 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. However, the status will be updated on the recruitment software which will be viewed by the applicant.
  • The appointment will be subject to police and other checks including references, educational and professional. 
  • We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed.

NOTE:

  • The British High Commission in Colombo is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
  • Staff recruited locally by The British High Commission in Colombo is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
  • The successful candidate will be subject to reference checking and security clearances checks.
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.