View Vacancy - Politics, Press, and Public Affairs Officer

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

Main purpose of job: 

Supporting the Consul General in building key political, academic, business, media and other significant relationships around the region.

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

  • Lead Boston’s input to the Washington Embassy’s internal communications, including network bulletin, Comms note, network-wide newsletters and the Com Dip note, to ensure interesting, accurate portrayal of value-add work of the Consulate across HMG proprieties, including identifying a broad range of useful local contacts and passing on insights gleaned from them;
  • Plan and implement communications strategy, with Head of PPPA, which enhances HMG’s reputation and adds value to the British Consulate-General’s activities, including management of relationships with media contacts and of an external digital communications platform incorporating multiple social media channels, collaboration with colleagues across the Consulate, and effective use of the Residence as a diplomatic tool;
  • Assess current events informed by research and interviews with external contacts to produce high-quality reporting / input to Washington-led reporting, with added local colour on political, economic and other issues. Produce regular reporting on key electoral races in the Consular district, the UK’s reputation in New England, and other issues in the news;
  • Identify, develop and maintain a network of relationships with stakeholders across New England covering politics, economics, trade policy; developing strong links with contacts who need senior attention from CG, including national and state politicians. Cultivation and nurturing of these contacts such that they are disposed to UK positions on matters of mutual interest
  • Contribute to Post’s delivery of effective official visits (generally led by Head of of PPPA), through programme planning and briefing, accompanying, and developing clear expectations and deliverables;
  • Oversee regional Marshall Scholarship application and selection process in coordination with regional committee chair; lead efforts for university outreach and applicant recruitment throughout the year along with regional alumni engagement;
  • Communicate UK policies on foreign affairs and global issues to relevant thought leaders, opinion shapers and future leaders and analysing their positions;
  • Identify and implement creative ways to raise the positive profile of the UK in New England, including with future leaders;
  • Present a professional, modern and informed face of the UK to New England alongside CG / Senior Staff; brief credibly on the record for the UK government in the US and brief journalists on background; drafting and /or input into senior-level speeches (including for CG and visitors);

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • Managing @UKinBoston digital accounts (Twitter, Instragram, LinkedIn)
  • Managing Press Inquiry Inbox
  • Hire/Supervise PPPA Interns
  • Hire/Supervise Season Marshall Admin Support
  • Bachelors’ degree required
  • Three to five years prior experience in a public diplomacy, communications or political role; in-depth knowledge of the political and economic makeup of New England states and trends in the region.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with a good understanding of the challenges and sensitivities of working in the world of government and politics.
  • Excellent digital communication skills, with particular knowledge and experience on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn; experience with creation of original digital media content a plus.
  • Strong ability to work across teams and with all colleagues, and skilled interaction with external contacts of all levels.
  • Strong research skills and familiarity with key regional information sources including the ability to identify and access a range of online resources.
  • Reliable, capable under pressure, able to complete multiple tasks and high volume of work on deadline with colleagues and with considerable autonomy.
  • Track record of successful delivery of projects through co-ordinating work of diverse teams, including at a distance and with external organisations, making creative use of opportunities, resources and technology.
  • Appreciation and understanding of multicultural Britain.
  • Ability to work occasional long hours, including early mornings, evenings and sometime weekends, flexing to the Consulate's needs.
  • Ability to travel across the Consular patch, occasionally elsewhere within the US (particularly Washington DC), and the UK.
  • Political science or communications degree preferred
30 September 2020
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Boston
British Consulate General
1
USD
$62,721
16 November 2020

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.
Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with US, state, and/or local employment law.
Individuals who are not a US taxpaying citizen will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

Due to COVID-19 we are unable to confirm any start date of employment but will continue to monitor progress and developments, and will advise applicants of any significant changes throughout the recruitment campaign.

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.