View Vacancy - Communications Officer, Syria Office Beirut

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to develop and lead the UK’s communication work on Syria to work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. Based in the UK’s Syria Office in Beirut, and working with colleagues in London, Istanbul and Dubai, you will be responsible for the communications of the UK Government’s network of offices that focus on Syria, in support of UK policy objectives.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

You will be responsible for producing fast-paced media and communications on a constantly evolving conflict, improving the reach and impact of the UK’s messages, and helping to influence global opinion.

With direction from colleagues in London, and working with colleagues in the Syria Overseas Network, you will provide a major contribution to the UK Government’s main digital platform for Syria – UK for Syria – using your knowledge to create effective strategic and rapid-response communication campaigns that helps raise Syrian voices, mobilise social and mainstream media and promote UK policy (proactively, and in rapid response to the news-cycle). You will ensure that there are regular and strategic updates to our social media properties, working with staff in London and across the Syria Overseas Network to develop and execute campaign strategies, narratives and tactics, strengthening our digital media influencing. You will be responsible for developing and designing a rich calendar of dual-language (English and Arabic) social-first digital content, tracking and reporting back on the performance and impact of communications on UK for Syria properties.

This role will require you to ensure our communications support the whole spectrum of the UK’s Syria policy, from shining the spotlight on human rights abuses, to raising understanding of the UK’s support for a political solution to the conflict, to pressing for humanitarian access and promoting the UK Government’s Chevening scholarship programme to Syrians.

You will need to build an effective network of Syrian and international journalists and key partners working on Syria to allow you to promote UK messages and gather information on the situation on the ground in Syria, as well as the media and political situation in Syria.

You will be working closely with the UK Government’s communications teams based in London and the regional media hub in Dubai, providing guidance and advice on the Syrian media landscape and audiences, and supporting the UK’s Special Representative for Syria, raising his profile when he is in the region. This will include supporting him on digital communications, arranging interviews with the media and ensuring he is well briefed on media developments.

Additionally the candidate will also promote closer working and collaboration amongst UK government staff working on Syria from across the region (Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey) and the UK.

Key Competences required for the job:

• Leading and Communicating - Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.
•  Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. For all staff, it’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way.
• Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
• Seeing the Big Picture - Seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.

- Excellent communication skills in English language (oral and written)
- Excellent communication skills in Arabic language (oral and written)

- Resilience and ability to work under pressure and on own initiative
- Excellent organisational skills and flexible team player
- Excellent digital media and campaigns skills (planning and execution) including on online platforms including Twitter and Facebook
- Good interpersonal and communication skills with a strong client focus approach