View Vacancy - Communications Officer (CHEB21.512)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media

The British Embassy in Berne is part of a worldwide network representing the UK’s political, economic and consular interests. 

We are currently recruiting for a Communications Officer in our Communications & Politics Team.  This is an exciting and fast-moving job, helping to promote the UK in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.  You will work on a wide array of issues from media relations and public diplomacy to event management and digital outreach. 

We are offering you the opportunity to be part of a friendly and supportive working environment, working across the whole of the Embassy, to help us communicate our work effectively. 

 

We are looking for a dynamic, creative and proactive individual who has experience in communications, journalism, public relations or a relevant field.   You will bring that experience to bear in helping us to identify and engage with our target audiences in an appropriate manner.  You will also have strong interpersonal skills, helping us to build a network of key contacts across the media, and identifying opportunities for engagement.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will work to positively influence thinking and perceptions of the UK in Switzerland and Liechtenstein; in particular during 2022 with HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the UK’s ongoing presidency of COP26.  You will help officers in the Embassy and in the UK Government communicate their work on UK priority issues. Responsibilities will include:

  • Strategic communications:  Working with Embassy colleagues to develop, deliver, monitor and evaluate communication campaigns.

 

  • Digital diplomacy:  Develop our social media channels and audiences to provide informative and creative content for our followers. 

 

  • Networking:  Develop and maintain a network of contacts in the media (press, broadcast and digital) offering them regular opportunities for engagement.

 

  • Event management:   Deliver events in support of our priorities, including press conferences and other media events.

  • Media monitoring: Provide daily summaries of the local news to help inform Embassy colleagues and others of key issues. 

 

  • Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
  • Degree-level qualification, preferably in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field.
  • Professional experience of working in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field (minimum 2 years).
  • Experience of delivering communications campaigns, including monitoring and evaluation.
  • Strong organisational skills including the ability to work to tight deadlines and multi-task effectively.
  • Familiarity with UK culture.
  • Experience of writing for professional purposes including press releases, social media updates, and internal communications.
  • Experience of designing visuals for social media including awareness of photography, video editing skills, and use of infographics to explain complex topics. 
  • Experience of building networks and using third parties to promote key messages.
  • Experience of engaging effectively with different levels within an organisation, including senior leaders.
  • Ability to engage and influence colleagues to utilise communication tools as part of their work.
  • Experience of organising events.
5 December 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Permanent
40
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Switzerland
Berne
British Embassy
1
CHF
7175.00
1 February 2022

This is a full-time permanent contract, of 40 hours per week inclusive of a compulsory lunch break of 45 minutes (Mon-Thu).

Gross monthly salary is CHF 7175.00. In addition, staff are entitled to a 13th month salary pro rata. The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year pro rata and the Embassy also enjoys a maximum of 14 Swiss/ UK public holidays per year.

The Embassy operates flexible working patterns within our opening hours of 07:30-18:00 hrs (Mon -Thu) and 07:30 -13:00 hrs (Fri). Staff can expect to work a maximum of one day per week from home post-Covid. Time off in Lieu is available in exceptional circumstances where staff are required to work beyond their contracted hours and where agreed in advance with the line manager.

FCDO is committed to continual learning and development. The Embassy will provide funding in line with L&D requirements and a variety of learning and development is provided throughout the year both directly at post and virtually through the FCDO International Academy. There will be opportunities to attend training, lectures etc. on the job.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearance. The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation for Switzerland in order to apply. All applicants should have the right to live and work in Switzerland.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions service according to Swiss employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Switzerland and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the FCDO will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job. We offer the opportunity to conduct interviews virtually.


*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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.