View Vacancy - Communications Manager

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

The British Embassy, Muscat has vacancy for the post of a Communications Manager, Grade – B3 (L).

 

Main purpose of job:

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the Embassy’s public profile and engaging with local, regional and international media. This will include working with the Head of Press & Public Affairs to have oversight of external communications, public diplomacy campaigns, and monitoring perceptions of the UK (and the British Embassy) in Oman. As the Communications Manager, you will advise the wider Embassy (including the Ambassador) on the local media environment, running media campaigns, placing content and liaising with local and regional media outlets. You will have a media, public relations or communications background and bring creativity, adding energy and innovation to the Embassy’s communication channels.  You will also be responsible for some translation duties in the absence of the Embassy Translator.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Managing the Embassy’s communication channels: understanding the UK’s policies and how these translate to the Omani context. Preparing and placing content in the local media, writing press releases and blogs. Liaising with customers and managing communications campaigns (and public diplomacy initiatives) in support of all Embassy sections.  You will work closely with the Head of Press & Public Affairs to deliver this service.

• Developing vibrant communications channels to reach and influence the media and public. Organising press conferences, interviews and other functions.

• Developing relevant contacts such as journalists, editors and ministries.

• Media monitoring: producing a daily written summary of the Omani media for Embassy and London colleagues. Analysing trends and developments within the political scene and media environment.

• Maintaining a good knowledge of political events and developments (e.g. monitoring press and blogs/forums; meeting press and other contacts regularly).

• To cover translation services during the absence of the Embassy Translator.

 

Competencies:

The candidate will need to demonstrate the following competencies during the interview:

• Seeing the big picture – Seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs

• Leading and Communicating – It’s about showing pride and passion for public service, leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction, integrity and enthusiasm.

• Managing a Quality Service - People, who are effective in this area plan, organise and manage their time and activities to deliver a high quality and efficient service.

• Demonstrating Resilience - This is about helping our people to build resilience in international roles, supporting their ability to adapt to working in difficult and varied international environments; to learn from what has not worked as well as what has; and to bounce back from crises and setbacks in these contexts.

Essential:
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Arabic (this will be tested)
• Minimum two years of work experience in a relevant field (media, journalism, public relations, and communications, preferably in a bilateral or multilateral agency).
• Candidates should be highly organised, have a track record as a team player and should be able to work in a diverse, high-performing environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to build productive working relations with the Embassy’s customers.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office packages.
• University-educated candidate.
• Translating complex documents from English to Arabic and vice versa.

Desirable:
• Knowledge of Oman’s government and political system, culture, media environment and society.
• Internet-based social media diagnostics and video/photo editing skills.

25 October 2017
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
Middle East & North Africa
Oman
Muscat
British Embassy
1
OMR
1151
1 December 2017

Working Conditions and Remuneration:

The Embassy offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for the role, including: salary of 1151 Omani Riyals per month inclusive of all allowances; recreational facilities including a swimming pool and social club.

Normal working hours are 07:30 – 14:30 Sunday to Thursday. You will occasionally be required to attend evening functions. 

The Embassy has excellent working conditions and recreational facilities including a swimming pool and social club. There is a holiday entitlement of 30 days per year (pro rated) following successful completion of a 3 month probation period. Holidays that have already been booked will be honoured. There are also national holidays determined annually by the Embassy which usually total 14 days per year. 

To Apply:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents when applying online.

1. A covering letter.

2. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

** (Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in the cover letter or motivation section in the application form. Applications that do not include this information will be rejected).

 

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Local Time) on 25 October 2017.

 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered. Telephone applications and enquiries will not be accepted.

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures.  Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks.

 

The British Embassy Muscat is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.  Staffs recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Omani Employment Law.

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.