View Vacancy - Head of Press and Communications, Mumbai
Main purpose of job:
To lead Press and Communications work for the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai, promoting UK activity in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa. To work with the India-wide Press and Communications network to lead on planning and delivery of dedicated communications campaigns.
Roles and responsibilities:
This is an exciting role at the heart of the UK’s mission in Mumbai. You will be working across all areas of the UK’s involvement in India, including: trade and investment, consular work, political engagement and people-to-people links. You will be specifically responsible for planning and coordinating all press & communications work across 3 states in Western India, working as part of the wider “UKinIndia” Press and Communications Group. You will need to be flexible, able to prioritise work, and able to respond and deliver at pace.
As well as dealing with traditional and digital media, we are increasingly focused on key campaign themes. You will need to be able to identify and tell compelling stories from the region, and will need strong writing and drafting skills suitable for a range of communications products.
Core activities:
Press & Media
- Lead regional Press/Media relationships across English and vernacular press, TV, radio, web etc. to ensure regular, positive coverage of UK activities and priorities. Act as first point of contact for local press, arrange press engagements, and proactively seek opportunities to promote the UKinIndia brand across the region.
- Run the press team, including directly line managing 1 press officer and countersigning 1 digital officer.
- Work with colleagues across the mission to ensure effective media coverage of visits.
- Work closely with the Department for International Trade Marketing Team to promote UK expertise across a range of business and trade sectors.
- Lead on design and deployment of Press Lines in consultation with colleagues in Mumbai and the wider comms network. Develop and deploy defensive lines to rebut potentially damaging media stories as and when necessary.
- Create and sustain local (including local language) media outreach and messaging to regional target audiences, especially via digital platforms.
- Work with the digital officer, oversee and develop high quality content for the UKinIndia and UKinMumbai channels covering a range of digital platforms (YouTube, Face Book, Instagram, Snapchat, Flickr, Periscope, EventBrite, etc.).
Campaigns & Strategic Communications
- Lead regional aspects of India-wide campaigns across UK priority areas. Lead local delivery of these campaigns in liaison with the team in Delhi and the wider network. Develop specific implementation plans for BDHC Mumbai, considering how best to use a wide range of media to deliver priority messages.
- Lead on monitoring and evaluating BDHC communications activities – both for one-off events and longer-term campaigns.
Internal Communications
- Oversee Mumbai’s contribution to the internal communication champions’ network, helping to ensure effective communication within the UK network and celebrating successes.
- Take an active role in the leadership of the BDHC Mumbai, including through initiatives to improve cross-team collaboration and the working environment.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
1 x B3 Communications Officer
Counter signing officer for 1 x B3 Digital Officer
Potential for further management opportunities as the communications network develops
Travel and Entertainment Budget. Approx. £1,500
Additional funding – including programme resources – as required by activity.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The jobholder will be able to access a wide range of English language online and face-to-face training delivered for the UK government in Britain and abroad. They will have opportunities to access specialist training for government communicators. Much of the learning is on the job, which will be diverse and varied
Language requirements:
Language: English (Essential), Hindi (Essential), Marathi (Desirable)
Level of language required: Fluent.
Other skills / experience / qualifications:
Essential on arrival:
- At least 2 years in a professional Press/Media/PR/Comms team/institution.
- Experience of design and deployment of digital content across social media platforms.
- Proven record in managing/ leading/ delivering high-profile Press/PR/Comms/Digital campaigns in a competitive market.
- Extensive understanding Press and Digital Media in the Western India.
- Fluency in English and Hindi, and the ability to draft effective media copy suitable for a range of media platforms
- Fluency in the use of cross-digital skills (e.g. still photography, videography for use on digital platforms and skill in loading content to/deploying the full range of social media platforms/channels – twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Face Book etc.)
Desirable:
- Leadership/operational experience in an Embassy/High Commission or an international organisation
- Post-graduate degree (professional Press/Comms/PR qualification/certification preferred, ideally with a digital media/marketing professional qualification)
- Line Management experience
- Fluency in Marathi
British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
For other than BHC candidates, salary will be INR 94,405 per month plus a 12% provident fund and 6% Superannuation Fund.
Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with Rs. 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.
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 force is 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.
To Apply:
Please note applications without (a), (b) and (c) listed below will not be considered.
a) Complete the Online Application Form
b) Attach a detailed CV mandatorily
c) Complete the motivation segment in the Online Application Form and the competency questions.
Internal Candidates please Note:
- While applying for this position, upload the appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) else the application will not be considered.
- Inform the line manager before applying for the position.
We will accept only online applications by “18th June 2019” midnight.
Please Note :
- 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, 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.
The work of a diplomatic mission can be unusual, and the subject matter can range across the full breadth of the UK-India partnership. The nature of communications is that you and colleagues will need to be able to flex to support other priorities outside of your immediate work areas where necessary, for example during high-profile visits.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
