View Vacancy - Deputy Head of Communications for LATAC at Department for International Trade

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Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT

Main purpose of job:

Background

The Department for International Trade (DIT) LATAC secures UK and LATAC prosperity by promoting international trade and investment, and championing free trade across the region. We want the UK to be LATAC´s business partner of choice. DIT LATAC supports UK businesses and Latin America & Caribbean buyers, to increase trade and investment flows between the UK and LATAC.


If you want to be part of a team, which is made up of approximately 130 staff across 19 key LATAC markets, we want to hear from you.


We’re looking for a Communications professional who:


·     Can co-manage the DIT LATAC Marketing & Communications team alongside the Deputy Head of Marketing for the region, working directly with the Director of Marketing & Communications of the DIT LATAC HUB, which is further comprised of 3 managers, 2 analysts and 2 interns;


·     Will serve as the main Public Relations and social media lead for the region, planning and executing regional Communications plans, managing relationships with journalists across LATAC and the UK, proactively identifying media interviews and opportunities for HMTC and senior management, overseeing regional social media strategy, building relationships with a region-wide network to deliver on Communications objectives and overseeing internal communications in partnership with the Operations Team;


·     Is comfortable with planning, designing and delivering high profile media engagement strategies and reputation management plans, across a number of markets and industries.


·     Is highly knowledgeable about the various traditional and modern communication channels, with a strong focus on digital communications


·     Has experience in leading a team, preferably of diverse nature and in an international and commercial environment.  

Roles and responsibilities:

As Deputy Head of Communications for DIT LATAC, you will be responsible for ensuring that effective communications are helping deliver DIT’s strategic objectives across the continent and in the UK.


You will manage and co-lead the communication work of the UK Government’s trade and investment teams in LATAC, supporting efforts to generate demand for British goods and services across the continent; promoting and raising awareness of our trade policy arrangements; helping British business succeed in LATAC; promoting the UK as a great place to invest in; and encouraging investment from all UK Regions across LATAC.


You will, alongside DIT LATAC´s Deputy Head of Marketing, implement a pan-LATAC DIT communication and marketing plan that supports the UK Government’s business priorities and the Regional Trade Plan. You will help shape the strategic communications direction for the organisation, coordinate core communications campaigns and strengthen the insight and evaluation capability of DIT LATAC. You will oversee the implementation of a pan-LATAC communications grid that allows key stakeholders to plan and coordinate activities.


In addition, you will work closely, build partnerships and sustain relationships with the FCDO’s communications teams based in Embassies and High Commissions across the region and with DIT Communication & Marketing teams in London to ensure consistency of messaging and to mobilise wider resources in support of publicising our commercial activity.


Plan and execute a DIT LATAC Communication Strategy in line with DIT’s global communication strategy and the DIT LATAC Regional Trade Plan including, but not limited to:


1.   Ensuring maximum positive profile and impact from commercial events, visits and other public engagement activities across the region - including through creating appropriate content and collateral for various communications channels;

2.   Implementing a strategy to raise the profile and increase awareness of UK commercial successes and key UK government messages in LATAC and UK media, as well as building and sustaining a network of key trade and pan-LATAC media contacts across the region;


3.  Developing and implementing targeted and impactful social and digital media strategies, including:


Managing a regional communications grid which will serve as a tactical plan to ensure maximum profile for DIT across the region;


Collate success stories of British success in the region which can be used as case studies or PR opportunities in the UK, and working with colleagues in the UK to promote opportunities across the continent;


Engage with local and international journalists, thought leaders, commentators and influencers to highlight the UK’s offer, the UK expertise in a wide range of industries and sectors, and raise the profile of HMTC in LATAC;


Champion a strong culture for impactful content and activity evaluation, learning lessons to continually improve performance and impact.

The ideal candidate has experience with working in an international, open and diverse environment, and/or private sector experience such as in marketing and communications agencies or marketing and communications departments (preferably within a Latin America context). Public-sector experience/knowledge is a plus.


Other essential qualifications, skills and experience should include:  


  • At least five years professional experience in media, communications or PR

  • Strong copywriting skills and experience of writing press notices and other written materials;

  • Proven digital and social media skills; 

  • Strong leadership skills, ideally with experience managing from a distance, and proven ability to motivate and bring teams along;

  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including stakeholder engagement skills to build relationships and credibility with colleagues and senior management within the UK government network;

  • Experience of engaging with the press and securing interview slots and other media opportunities;

  • Experience of planning and implementing strategic communications campaigns and leading proactive and reactive communications campaigns;

  • Excellent organisational and self-management skills to respond effectively to tight – and changing – deadlines and priorities;

  • Sound knowledge of MS Office and project management tools;

  • The ability to learn quickly and work with a high degree of autonomy;

  • A positive “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges;

  • Strong editorial judgment and ability to communicate effectively with different audiences;

  • Evidence of research to inform communications advice and of using evaluation to learn lessons and improve communications;


Key Success Profiles required for the role


This role would be ideal for someone that is a self-starter, has experience in working and managing teams and stakeholders remotely and has a passion for Communications.


The ideal candidate will need to demonstrate sound judgement and discernment in managing and communicating sensitive information, both internally and externally and will need to be comfortable working with a diverse workforce and senior management.  


23 May 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
38
Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean
Mexico
Mexico City
British Embassy
1
MXN
43,380.00 MXN
28 June 2021

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.  
   


The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package.  This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.  All staff at the British Embassy and its Consulates in Mexico are expected to work towards the UK mission statement of Building a UK/Mexico partnership, which makes the world and us more prosperous and secure, and to embody the Embassy’s agreed values of Honesty, Respect, Inclusion and Professionalism.


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.