View Vacancy - Press and Public Affairs Officer

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

The British Consulate General in Erbil is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual for the position of Press and Public Affairs Officer, Grade – EO.

 

Main purpose of the role:

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the Consulate’s public profile. They will lead on all external communications, social media and public diplomacy campaigns, and engagement with media. They will monitor perceptions of the UK and the British Consulate in Kurdish media reporting and among the Kurdish public.

The Press and Public Affairs Officer will advise the Consul General and wider Consulate on the media landscape in the KRI, and how to best engage with various forms of media.

The successful candidate will be expected to lead on dynamic content creation, designing innovative media campaigns to align with the wider objectives of the British Consulate. They will have a media, public relations or communications background and should bring creativity and a strategic approach to the Consulate’s communication channels.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Manage the media outputs of the Consulate: Create high-quality and dynamic content. Ensure regular output of communications materials across social media. Design creative content, making the best use of Consulate resources, to reach new audiences and project a positive image of the UK.
  • Run media campaigns to meet the Consulate's objectives: Design innovative media campaigns, working across the Consulate. Build a strategy for campaigns that successfully reaches and impacts the target audience using the Consulate's range of media channels. Review and evaluate the success and need for development of the campaigns.
  • Lead engagement with media outlets: Engage with media contacts to ensure a balanced coverage of UK policy and events. Build and maintain an effective network of media contacts across the KRI. Organise press conferences and interviews.
  • Produce regular media monitoring: Report the latest media developments and trends across the Consulate and wider UK Iraq network.
  • Monitor perceptions of UK in Kurdish media and social media.
  • Provide translation of media statements and reporting: Ensure that the UK's media output reaches a wide audience by creating content in multiple languages. Translate relevant FCDO and UK social media content for a local audience.

Key behaviours required for the job:

  • Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Changing and Improving: Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.

Essential:

  • Fluent communication skills in English and Kurdish language.
  • Two or more years of communications and media experience and an established media network.
  • Experience in content creation or design work.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to work quickly and accurately in a customer-focused environment.
  • Excellent written skills. You will need to write fluently and clearly in English and Kurdish to get your messages across.
  • Creativity - keen ability to generate new ideas and new approaches.
  • Excellent understanding of Kurdistan Region print and social media (including political affiliations) and how to maximise profile on it.
  • Experience of social media and website management.

Desirable:

  • Photography and videography experience, including editing.
  • Fluent spoken and written Arabic.
Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
29 May 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
38
Middle East & North Africa
Iraq
Erbil
British Consulate General
1
USD
2130
1 June 2022

Working Hours and Remuneration:

The role grade is EO grade, with a base salary of US $ 2,130 per month. This base salary is paid 13 times a year. In addition a monthly security allowance of $200 is payable. The allowance is subject to review and may be altered or withdrawn at any time. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is offered on a Full Time, Permanent contract basis.

Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Normal working hours are Sunday - Wednesday 0900 – 1700 and Thursday 0900-1500. The annual leave entitlement is 20 days plus up to 14 public holidays [UK/Iraq]. Other benefits include the British Consulate General Erbil medical scheme (which also covers dependants) and access to subsidised restaurant facilities.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90 days probationary period.

The Embassy encourages a culture of continuous learning. All employees have access to the Civil Service Learning platform, which gives access to training to improve job specific skills. The successful candidate will be able to access FCDO online communications training materials.

 

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:

  • Receive the appropriate level of local and UK security clearance;
  • Applicants are responsible for ensuring they have the right to live and work in Iraq including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Obtaining the correct permissions can be particularly complicated if employees and any dependants are not already resident in the country.  Unfortunately, neither the Consulate nor the Embassy can arrange Iraqi residency as this is a position based on country based staff terms.

Application Process:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents along with the completed online application form:

  • An updated Curriculum Vita (CV)
  • A covering letter

** (Applications that do not include the above stated information will be rejected).

 

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Erbil Time) on 29 May 2022.

 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Interviews/Assessments will be held in person at the British Consulate-General Erbil Office or remotely via MS Teams. Due to the large amount of applications, we receive only those shortlisted for assessment/interview will be contacted.

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 Consulate General in Erbil is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local 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.