View Vacancy - Press, Public Affairs & Projects Officer (Chicago)

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 (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Consulate-General in Chicago has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and creative candidate to join our Politics, Press & Public Affairs team as Press, Public Affairs & Projects Officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

This is a chance to directly contribute to the way in which both Governments collaborate and negotiate throughout the Midwest on issues including trade policy, climate action, and human and civil rights. The job-holder will explain and promote UK Government policies to US audiences through media outreach, digital content, public diplomacy, and strategic communications campaigns. The job-holder will also administer the UK’s Marshall Scholarship for the Chicago Region, and support the Consulate’s political and economic reporting on developments throughout 14 states.

This position reports primarily to the Head of Politics, Press & Public Affairs, and works closely with the Consulate’s other teams, including: trade and investment, science and innovation, consular, and more. A portion of the job-holder’s work (approximately 25%) will also support a broader US Network-wide Communications Hub.

Roles and responsibilities:

·         Develop and maintain a strong network of senior political, economic, and media contacts across the Midwest, identifying and exploiting opportunities for UK-US collaboration

·         Leverage these contacts and awareness of Midwest media trends to secure press coverage of cross-team Consulate events, activities, and initiatives

·         Lead on the Marshall Scholarship programme and PPPA team engagement with universities and fellowship advisors (the Chicago Region consistently receives the highest proportion of applications in the US Network)

·         Closely monitor political and economic developments across the Midwest to help produce incisive and instructive reporting for both the Embassy in Washington and FCDO London

·         Develop and promote key UK public diplomacy objectives and soft power initiatives in collaboration with all Consulate teams; this includes representing and securing adequate public promotion for the Consulate at external events

·         Support visits of UK Government Ministers and other senior officials, including pre-visit programme planning and briefing, as well as logistical support and post-visit reporting

Essential on arrival:

·         Experience in communications or marketing, preferably with a governmental or international organisation or working in journalism. Digital diplomacy experience is a plus.

·         Strong oral and written communication skills, including creating and placing traditional media and social media content (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) to advance UK Government priorities

·         Strong research skills and demonstrated interest and understanding of the Midwest political, media, and economic landscape

·         Ability to respond confidently, professionally, and creatively to a range of internal teams and external stakeholders

·         Ability to independently follow through on assigned tasks under pressure and with limited supervision

·         Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office software, photo and video editing tools, and social networking platforms

·         Bachelors degree in Communications, Marketing, Political Science, Public Relations, or Journalism

·         Project management experience

·         Experience managing a corporate/government social media account

Positive and flexible attitude, including willingness to travel frequently in the Midwest and occasionally to the UK

Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
7 February 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Chicago
British Consulate General
1
USD
$58,500
27 March 2023
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. 
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.  

The British Embassy offers a strong benefits package. This package includes health insurance, pension, generous leave entitlement, and training opportunities. 

Resume and cover letter should be submitted. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor if they intend on applying.


The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. 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. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by 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.