View Vacancy - Digital, Press and Public Affairs Officer (08/18 ABJ)
Main purpose of job:
The British High Commission wishes to recruit an experienced and dynamic professional to drive our digital communications work in our busy press team. The Digital Press Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the UK government in Nigeria is able to communicate effectively and innovatively across a range of digital media channels, capitalising on links between digital, traditional and public diplomacy events. Duties will include, but will not be limited to, designing text and audio-visual material for use on the BHC media channels, and working with a broad range of media stakeholders to deliver HMG messages. The successful candidate will also provide tailored communications planning support to HMG departments working on the BHC platform and be required to deliver excellent public diplomacy events.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Design, implement, monitor and assess impact-driven cross HMG digital communications strategy that include effective positioning, stakeholder engagement and advocacy to create and leverage communications opportunities;
- Manage the British High Commission Abuja webpage and digital media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter ensuring content is up to date content and of high quality
- Monitor and analyze current events and opinion in the media and with CSOs to identify and flag topics of interest or reputational risk related to the UK Government in Nigeria;
- Work with Abuja-based HMG departments, including British Council, DFID, UKVI to establish and implement appropriate campaign plans and to ensure that HMG communication is coordinated
- Initiate and maintain effective relationships with key constituencies (i.e. donors, civil society, academia, business, government agencies, etc.) to identify opportunities for possible strategic partnerships and to strengthen the UK Government overall effectiveness and image;
- Keep a well organised electronic library of photos and audio/visual files for use in publications, productions or for release to the media
- Photograph and record BHC and other HMG departments’ activities as required
- onitor digital, print and broadcast media for issues of interest to the UK mission in Nigeria
- Prepare draft news releases for the press
- Provide briefing and media handling support to the High Commissioner and other senior officials as required
- Qualified to postgraduate degree level
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English
- Highly organised, able to take initiative and to work accurately within deadlines and with limited supervision in a fast paced environment
- Thorough knowledge of social media, including the ability design strategy and analyse usage in order to shape BHC engagement and to focus campaigns
- Familiarity with messaging for digital diplomacy
- Attention to detail and comfortable producing accurate statements under pressure
- Strong networking and relationship management skills
- Previous experience in public relations, marketing or media, including developing and implementing media communication plans/media campaigns and managing events.
- Experience working in an international organisation
- Project or event management/experience
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, 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.
- Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening. Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
- The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
- Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Abuja are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
- All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
- The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
Obtain the relevant permit
Pay fees for the permit
Make arrangements to relocate
Meet the costs to relocation
- The British High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
- Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
- Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
- Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
- Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
