View Vacancy - Newsdesk Officer, B3, New Delhi
Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Please note that due to Covid-19 outbreak, the start date of employment mentioned in the advert is tentative, subject to normal business of British High Commission. All recruitment campaigns will remain open for applications, we will progress the recruitment process as swiftly as possible and continue to review all applications, monitor progress and developments. We will be in touch with you for the interviews/ should there be further updates on the application, however given the circumstances, kindly expect some delay in response and please reach out to if you have any further questions.
Please Note: This is a fixed term position for a period of 2 years.
Main purpose of job:
To actively promote positive stories about the UK in India to the press, to log and respond to media enquiries, and build close working relationships with a broad range of Indian journalists. Lead on monitoring UK-India news and preparing daily media summaries for the organisation.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The role
The Newsdesk team sits at the heart of the British High Commission, dealing with queries from a range of journalists and promoting stories about the UK’s activities in India. You will help promote the UK Government’s policies and activities in India, in response to phone and email enquiries from journalists, working closely with colleagues across the British High Commission to draft concise, accurate and robust responses and appropriately escalating issues of particular importance. You will build strong working relationships with journalists, knowing when to use off-the-record briefing to temper or rebut inaccurate reporting. You will also identify key contacts across the Indian media landscape for effectively promoting positive stories about UK activities and priorities.
You will work with the Head of Newdesk and the Campaigns Team to identify news hooks and opportunities for media engagement, draft press material (including statements and press releases) and proactively promote it to the media. You will know what makes a positive and compelling story, and will work with colleagues to create and disseminate them. You will work on high-profile events and directly support Ministerial and senior official visits, in particular through identifying, setting-up and helping to manage interviews and press conferences.
Specific responsibilities of the job holder will include:
- Actively monitoring the news for relevant UK-India stories and preparing in-house daily media summaries
- Logging media enquiries and drafting/issuing official responses
- Writing and editing various written outputs (including press releases and articles) across a range of subjects
- Providing media advice and guidance to colleagues – including on timing, format and which platforms to use – to deliver key messages effectively
- Facilitating and supporting media engagements (interviews, press briefings, managing media representatives at events etc.)
- Evaluating and measuring performance of communication outputs and media engagements
- Acting as on-call press officer through a rotational duty system
The job holder
You will need to be proactive, organised and energetic – able to swiftly digest and get to the heart of complex issues, keeping up to speed with stories that unfold quickly. You will be good at building relationships – with policy colleagues, other communications specialists and journalists alike – and be a real team player. You will need to be familiar with the opportunities and challenges of all forms of media, including digital, print, and broadcast.
You’ll have excellent writing skills and be able to swiftly pull together compelling media products. You’ll have a solid understanding of the Indian media landscape (covering both English and vernacular, and mainstream and regional media) and the key players within it. You will need to be flexible and motivated, working across a variety of topics and a wide range of people.
Resources managed:
Management of media interns as required
Language requirements:
Language: English and Hindi
Level of language required: The jobholder must have full professional fluency in English with at least working knowledge of written and spoken Hindi. Knowledge of additional languages of India is also desirable.
A written test will be included as part of the recruitment process.
Essential on arrival:
- Previous experience in journalism, corporate communications, or public relations.
- Proven ability in writing and editing
- Solid understanding of Indian media landscape
Desirable:
- Confident public speaker with an ability to work well in large teams
- Degree in journalism, communications, or public relations
- Prior experience of working in an international, multicultural organisation
For BHC candidates, the Local BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be INR 62,826 per month together with a 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance.
Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.
No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided. Notional tax will be deducted if you are not liable to pay local tax.
The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.
Around half of our work forces are women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.
Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’
To Apply:
Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.
A. Complete the Online Application Form
B. Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form
Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.
We will accept only online applications by 12 November 2020 till 23:55
Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission
Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.
We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
