View Vacancy - DXB - Strategic Communications Officer B3(L)

The British Embassy Dubai has a vacancy for a Strategic Communications Officer for a fixed-term contract of one (1) year, with a possibility of extension.

The jobholder will provide strategic advice to the UK Government’s Regional Communications Hub based at the British Embassy in Dubai, to the network of embassies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and to other UK government departments working in the region on how best to achieve their communications objectives and how to evaluate progress and adapt strategies. You will be the source of best practice and will be expected to maintain up to date skills and knowledge and use wide variety of tools to provide audience insight and evaluation. The role will suit a strategic communications expert with an intimate knowledge of local media landscape and an extensive contact list.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Working closely with the Regional Communications Hub team and Communications, Policy, and Operational colleagues across the UK Government, draft a communications strategy for the Regional Communications Hub to increase interaction with Arabic speaking audiences on UK Government channels, provide compelling Arabic language information on HMG policy priorities, and counter inaccurate messaging about the UK and western values.
• Working alongside colleagues in London and locally, use the OASIS planning model to design, implement, and evaluate targeted communications campaigns which contribute to the delivery of this strategy.
• Work closely with Senior Regional Communicator and with Press and Public Affairs Teams in our embassies across the region to support the design of effective local campaigns and its implementation, evaluation and learning.
• Use data-driven analysis and evaluation (including use of Brandwatch, Newswhip, Audiense, or similar) to report on the impact of digital campaigns and communications work, including evaluating the extent to which Embassy and Hub channels are succeeding in engaging the target audiences and in influencing.
• Drawing on analysis, advice Embassies and Hubs on action needed to grow target audience in key countries and options for achieving this.

Key competencies required:

• Seeing the Big Picture - Having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs, focusing your contribution on the activities which will meet the organisation’s goals and deliver the greatest value. Scanning the political context and taking account of wider impacts to develop long term implementation strategies that maximise opportunities to add value to the citizen and support economic, sustainable growth.
• Collaborating and Partnering - Creating and maintaining positive, professional, and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation to help get business done. Working collaboratively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.
• Building Capability for All - Having a strong focus on continuous learning for oneself, others, and the organisation. Being open to learning, about keeping one’s own knowledge and skill set current and evolving. Creating a learning and knowledge culture across the organisation to inform future plans and transformational change.
• Delivering at Pace - Focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way.

• Degree in Communications and work experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating communications strategies and campaigns.
• Has an excellent list of contacts and intimate knowledge of local and regional media landscape.
• Familiarity with the OASIS planning model.
• Native or near native Arabic language skills and fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Understanding of regional audiences.
• Familiarity with tools for audience insight and evaluation. Strong focus on using evaluation and data to improve continually.
• Creative thinker and digital savvy.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills. Proven ability to engage, influence, and collaborate with specialists in different areas and across teams.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes.