View Vacancy - Head of Communications (BEL18.612)

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

The British Bilateral Embassy in Belgium is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Head of Communications to act as the main Embassy press officer and provide communications strategy and advice in support of the British Embassy priorities. It is an opportunity to work on communications around high-profile political and economic issues, and to encourage closer UK / Belgium bilateral cooperation at an exciting time as the UK leaves the European Union.

Moreover, the successful jobholder will provide leadership of the Embassy’s media and communications team; and ensure that effective communications supports the successful delivery of UK Government and Embassy objectives in Belgium, by playing a key role in the Political & Public Diplomacy team (PPD). In addition, the jobholder will be focussed on delivering the UK’s key political messages across the full range of media in Belgium and will also be responsible for providing comms advice and guidance to other Embassy teams.

In more detail, main responsibilities will include:

  • Senior Press Officer for the Embassy – organising and preparing interviews for the Ambassador, UK Government Ministers and visiting senior civil servants.  Where required, acting as Embassy spokesperson;
  • Provide communication advice and assistance to Embassy and wider UK Government colleagues, including on communications campaigns on a wide range of topics (political, consular, trade and investment);
  • Horizon scanning – oversight of Embassy communications planning, ensuring consistency with wider UK Government communication initiatives, eg the GREAT and Global Britain campaigns;
  • Lead a team of two Communications Officers responsible for monitoring the Belgian press, preparing a daily press summary and managing the Embassy’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook).
  • Fluency in English (both oral and written);
  • Fluency in French and / or Dutch;
  • Experience of dealing with the press, ideally as a Press Officer;
  • Good understanding of social media platforms;
  • Experience in developing and delivering communication campaigns;
  • IT literacy.

  • Team management experience.
21 October 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
Brussels
British Embassy
1
EUR
4,984.46 gross
3 December 2018

This is a full-time contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week. This position will be filled on a "replacement contract" to cover a Maternity Leave. It is anticipated that the staff member will return in June 2019. This is only a guide and any possible earlier or extension to this date would be discussed with the successful candidate.

The monthly gross salary for this position is € 4,984.46, C4 (L) level (The British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium salaries are not subject to annual indexation).

Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.

Visa / passport requirements: must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Belgium and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

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 aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

FCO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

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.