View Vacancy - Communications Lead (PRT23.041)

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 (Operations and Corporate Services)
Communications, Press and Media

FCDO is a ministerial department, supported by different agencies and public bodies. We pursue our national interests and project the UK as a force for good in the world and promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

FCDO is a world-wide network operating in 170 countries with circa 280 Embassies and missions, this role is working for the central Human Resources directorate in London providing communications expertise for HR global content. This role will be based in the British Embassy in Lisbon and the successful candidate will work as an integral part of the Human Resources Directorate in London, working closely with the Chief People Office.

This is a challenging role with a range of competing demands. The successful applicant will need to be able to engage remotely with different stakeholders, take decisions without detailed oversight, juggle priorities effectively, and maintain a close grip on various lines of work.

Why should you apply?

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Communications professional and the chance to work within HR Directorate.  You will play a key role in raising awareness and building engagement across a number of HR topics such as FCDO culture, values and strategy; future ways of working amongst others.

This interesting and challenging role will provide you the chance to work with a wide range of FCDO staff members and stakeholders, be exposed to People related topics, in a prestigious Organisation whilst enjoying a friendly, fast paced and supportive working environment.

We also offer you the opportunity to partially work from home.

What is this role all about?

Developing a new Communications Strategy for HRD is a key priority, but equally important is to communicate HR plans and create engagement across the network. The role of Communications Lead will be to ensure effective communication, promotion, engagement, and involvement both within and out of the HR  team to support FCDO People goals, Corporate and Transformative change. The role requires confidence at communicating with people and groups on all issues and at all levels.

You will work with friendly and supportive colleagues in HRD and across the wider teams, especially linking closely with our Communications Directorate.

You will be asked to bring your existing communications professional skills to hit the ground running and deliver across fast-developing work areas; bringing new ideas, problem solving and working as a team to build clear products and support implementation of major programmes and key people priorities to a wide and varied audience

There are also several Learning and Development opportunities. The role also offers prospects of regular professional travelling.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Supporting and developing a refreshing communications strategy (including digital) linking to the FCDO People Strategy and HRD Delivery Plan

  • Work closely with senior leadership to shape, plan and deliver an impactful Communication/Engagement Plan on key issues

  • Mapping out and planning communication over both the short and long term

  • Creating up-to-date and compelling content, including writing articles and digital content, high quality communications and briefing materials to support strategy and key priorities

  • Reviewing communication content to ensure its attractiveness, clarity, conciseness for targeted-audience

  • Creating and utilising high quality digital content

  • Using internal communications to ensure workforce around the world understands HR priorities and feel engaged and inspired

  • Ensuring buy-in from the senior team and across the organization for the developed content

  • Managing projects and specific communications campaigns and measure their success

  • Act as the first point of contact for HR Communications and coordinate materials and resources.

You will also support the Chief People Officer developing a communications strategy, covering social media as he looks to build his social media presence.

Our ideal candidate shows:

  • Experience in a similar role

  • Fluency in English (written and spoken, minimum of C2 level according to the CEFR framework)

  • Proven experience working in digital communications/content – ideally in a large-scale public sector body or a multinational organisation.

  • Excellent writing skills, to provide clear, concise briefing and proven ability to draft articles and other content

  • Strong understanding of strategic communications and evaluation principles, with experience of having delivered high-profile communication campaigns.

  • Effective communication skills with strong Stakeholder Management focus

  • Knowledge of the latest social media platforms incl. Twitter, Facebook (and Facebook Business Manager), Instagram, LinkedIn...

  • Ability to work remotely, across multiple teams and with partners based in different locations

  • Availability to travel to head office in London as required

It will be a plus:

  • Experience in Social Media monitoring, insight and evaluation tools

  • Previous experience of working in an international affairs facing role, or in a diplomatic mission

Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
19 February 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35 hours (net)
24 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Portugal
Lisbon
British Embassy
1
EUR
44.226 € gross per year
1 March 2023
28 February 2025

This is a full-time, fixed-term position until 28 February 2025 with the possibility of contract extension depending on performance and available funding. A probation period of 30 days must be observed.

Working hours: 35 hours per week (net) with some degree of flexibility to work from home.

The British Embassy in Lisbon aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role of 44.226 gross per year salary paid in fourteen instalments; plus a monthly meal allowance of 167. This salary is payable if the successful candidate is subject to individual income tax (IRS) in Portugal on the employment income in question. If the successful candidate is not subject to individual income tax (IRS) on their employment income in Portugal, and/or is not taxable elsewhere on such income, he / she will receive the above salary minus a reference amount approximate to the level of Portuguese tax that would be applicable if the income were subject to tax locally. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.

All staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Portugal are subject to local Portuguese employment law as well as internal regulations in force at any given time.

The Embassy will not consider applications from existing staff who have not successfully completed their probation period or, in the case of staff on temporary contract who have not yet completed two thirds of their contract.

The starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and this will be agreed with the selected candidate.

The successful candidate will be subject to a professional background and security clearance and must have pre-existing work authorisation for Portugal in order to apply.

Visa / Passport requirements: All Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Portugal 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. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline” and accordingly to the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen. 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 advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position. 

*For more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link CEFR.

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.