View Vacancy - Communications Officer AO (02/23 LUS)

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:

Support the delivery of the FCDO country business plan for Zambia through oversight of a strategic approach to communications, including Digital Diplomacy, media engagement, media monitoring and cross-mission collaboration.

Roles and responsibilities:

Integrated strategic communications, with a focus on Digital Diplomacy and media engagement:

  • Work closely with Policy and Delivery Officer on delivery of strategic communications in BHC Lusaka, supporting the objectives of our Country Plan across the range of UK work in Zambia, leading on coordinated and comprehensive forward look and planning.
  • Lead on engagement with and outreach to local media including TV, radio, print and other methods to ensure BHC Lusaka connects with varied audiences across Zambia.
  • Maintain strong links with wider FCDO comms networks in the UK and South Africa to ensure BHC Lusaka is fully benefitting from and contributing to significant outside comms capability.
  • Drive the High Commission’s digital communications work and carry out digital diplomacy for all sections operating in the High Commission, incorporating all aspects of the UK’s role in Zambia. 
  • Work across High Commission teams to identify suitable stories and announcements for public messaging.
  • Ensure website and social media content is innovative, engaging, accurate and relevant to our audience.
  • Working alongside High Commission Project Officers, ensure all activity includes opportunities to promote messages and engage with audiences.
  • Provide oversight and leadership across all UK government departments active in Zambia, to ensure coordinated messaging and publicity.
  • Identify and deliver on opportunities to amplify High Commission/UK Government messages, including identifying new ways to engage with audience members.
  • Provide regular feedback to Senior Management to report progress on communication activities and responses.

Media monitoring

  • Produce daily round-ups of press articles of relevance to British High Commission and follow up on articles of particular interest.
  • Maintain up-to-date contacts list of key press/media, civil society organisations and political contacts.

Events management

  • Provide Press and Political Affairs assistance, including management of media involvement and working with UK-based comms teams as required for British High Commission events, sponsored visits, as well as any inward official VIP visits and similar.

Budget Management for Press and Public Affairs funding:

  • Oversee bidding processs and implementation of annual Press and Public Affairs budget, reporting to Policy and Delivery Officer and Corporate Services.
  • Budget monitoring and management, regular financial reporting for which training will be provided.

Resources managed:

PPA Budget (approx. £30k per annum) 

  • Degree and/or at least 1 year of experience in communications, journalism, or a relevant subject
  • Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Proficient use of social media platforms and monitoring tools such as Twitter, Facebook, Hootsuite
  • Fluent written and spoken English
  • Experience in delivering a communications campaign
Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
31 March 2023
Administrative Officer (AO)
Permanent
36 hours
Africa
Zambia
Lusaka
British High Commission
1
ZMW 17,199.58 (monthly)
1 May 2023

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The High Commission offers a comprehensive induction programme, including but not limited to on-the-job training, online support, mentoring and coaching and formal classroom-based learning.

Working patterns.

This is a full-time position. Flexible working hours are subject to line manager approval.

  • 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 Lusaka are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Zambia.
  • 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 relocate 
  • The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so. 
  • Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
  • Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles. Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
  • Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.
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.