View Vacancy - JPN (Tokyo)- Press Officer A2
Main Purpose of Job
The Press Officer will deliver professional and effective handling of Japanese/international media audiences, generating measurable engagement and high-impact coverage to promote the UK’s priorities in Japan, working closely with the Media & Communication Section’s digital and marketing staff and Department of International Trade colleagues on campaign work primarily targeted at Japanese audiences.
Roles and Responsibilities
Professional press handling & media relations, including:
• Deliver professional handling of Japanese/international media, generating measurable engagement and high-impact coverage to promote the UK’s priorities in Japan.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with Japanese media and in-country media in print, broadcast and online.
• Respond effectively to public enquiries, working with A1 MCM Assistant.
• Respond to media enquiries and identify best media opportunities for senior management to deliver HMG messages (e.g. press conferences, media briefings, roundtables, luncheons, dinners).
• Lead on arrangements for media interviews, accompanying and supporting interviewees.
• Arrange media calls for HMA, DHM, and senior management to maintain relationships with influential figures from media outlets in Japan.
Proactive collaboration with MCM team, other Japan Network sections and external partners, including:
• Proactively collaborate with sections, partners and digital/marketing staff to ensure integrated communications approach.
• Working under the direction of Senior Press Officer & Strategic Communications Manager, primarily responsible for effective delivery of media outreach activities: proactively engaging with other sections, sharing recommendations and delivering creative media activities to engage and influence their target audiences.
• As a team player, create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people among the team and outside the embassy to help get media work done.
• Willingly share media knowledge that would help the team do a better job.
• Work to agreed goals and activities, and deal with challenges in a responsive and constructive way to deliver media activities together with relevant sections.
• Lead on press elements that complement the work of the marketing and digital team within the Media & Communications section, particularly in consumer industries and press work to support Department of International Trade’s business objectives.
• Work closely with Digital Diplomacy Officer to ensure that latest digital tools and channels are integrated into press outreach.
• Understand team members / colleagues’ priorities and needs; arrange press activities accordingly to showcase UK capabilities in their sectors.
Develop quality press content based from VIP visits and Japan Network events, including:
• Project-based ownership of media activities and events, ensuring professional delivery and generating impactful media engagement.
• Produce clear written materials in plain simple language and check the materials for spelling and grammar, learning from previous inaccuracies.
• Support Press & Strategic Communications Manager by taking project-based ownership of media activities and events, ensuring professional delivery and generating high levels of media engagement.
• Leading from the front and communicating with clarity, identify best opportunities and liaising as needed with visit officers in Japan and the UK.
• Use networking to build knowledge of UK government policy in order to confidently design recommendations, challenge and deliver press activities.
Ad-hoc media monitoring, including:
• Occasional drafting/translation of summaries, news releases and website articles.
• Produce clear and concise ad-hoc media monitoring reports of coverage on Japan Network priority areas and events, shared with relevant sections.
• Contribute to weekly Global Britain media monitoring for London of UK-related coverage in Japanese media.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following key skills or experience:
- Experience in media or related communications industry preferred;
- Knowledge of the Japanese media landscape, including good understanding of current digital media tools, channels and influencers is essential;
- Strong writing skills and ability to convey messages in a clear and concise manner, even when content is complex or industry-specific;
- Experience in delivering professional media events, briefings and interviews for business organisations;
- Strong IT skills (Microsoft Office) and fluent in English (IELTS band 7 or TOEIC 875 points or above or equivalent), with experience of working in an English speaking environment;
- Undertaken relevant studies related to the field of communications;
- Country knowledge and proven ability to engage Japanese, UK and international audiences;
- Fluent, native level Japanese language skills (JLPT level 1 or equivalent) are also required. Experience working in a Japanese speaking environment would be a clear advantage. Able to perform ad-hoc translation.
- Relevant industry qualification or certification in communications, PR, marketing;
- Expertise in related online media platforms and digital tools;
- Familiarity with government communications, policy and priorities;
- Fluent in English (IELTS band 7 or TOEIC 875 points or above or equivalent), with experience of working in an English speaking environment.
Benefit package includes:
- The job is being offered on a permanent contract subject to a 6-month probation period.
- Working hours: Monday to Friday, generally 0900-1730 with flexible working opportunities and occasional out of hours working required
- Salary of JPY323,000 per month with 1 month bonus equivalents payable in June and December (Note: Salary may be reduced due to tax status)
- Commuting allowance of up to JPY35,000 per month (paid on an actual cost basis)
- 24 days paid annual leave (calculated pro rata)
- Health Insurance and Employee pension (kenko hoken/kosei nenkin)
- Employment Insurance (koyou hoken)
- Excellent training and development opportunities
- Work-related travel in Japan/the region/to the UK
- Expected interview date is in August 2017. You may be asked to complete a written test as part of the interview.
- Start date: As soon as possible.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
The applicant must have work authorisation for Japan however if a foreign national, the British Embassy/Consulate General will support a visa application if required.
Our Values
As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) the Embassy aims for excellence by:
- Taking responsibility
- Encouraging innovation
- Working together
Our values support a vibrant culture where all staff takes on stretching responsibilities, where ideas thrive and the status quo can be fearlessly challenged. We work together effectively with all our partners to make a greater difference for the UK.
The successful candidate will be prepared to use their initiative and take personal responsibility for their work in line with clear tasking and supervision from Head of Section, and to be flexible and creative when adapting to various roles as circumstances change. They must be a team player, engaging in all aspects of the team’s work, building links with other teams and contributing to the wider Embassy’s working environment.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
