View Vacancy - Political, Press and Public Affairs Officer, Port of Spain

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 High Commission (BHC) in Port of Spain is seeking a dynamic self-starter for the position of Political, Press and Public Affairs Officer on a two-year renewable contract basis. 
  • This is a demanding representational role that involves contributing to the delivery and public presentation of UK activity in Trinidad and Tobago. The successful candidate will:
  • Deliver the High Commission’s communications strategy and proactively manage all traditional and social media communications;
  • Provide high quality analytical reporting on local politics and the UK effort;
  • Inform and deliver on the UK’s human rights policy;
  • Prepare briefing for and manage the delivery of VIP and other visits including ship visits;
  • Engage with local civil society and international colleagues, representing the High Commission at high level events and meetings; and  
  • Manage the UK’s prestigious Chevening Scholarship Scheme for Trinidad and Tobago.

Roles and responsibilities:

Communications

  • Deliver the BHC’s communications strategy and run multimedia profile-raising campaigns to boost the BHC’s profile and ensure the UK Government’s messages are covered in a positive way.
  • Build relationships with the local media and proactively lead all traditional and social media communications for the BHC, including drafting and placing high quality OpEds and press releases.
  • Provide daily media summary reports for internal and HQ colleagues.
  • Work with other UK government departments, including the Department for International Trade, to ensure cohesive communications representing the UK government. You will be required to provide support on traditional and new media for activities hosted by other UK government departments.
  • Lead on crisis communications, in partnership with regional colleagues, to ensure that emergency consular advice is readily available to British nationals.
  • Build relationships with regional colleagues to ensure cohesive region-wide messaging around the UK’s work in the Caribbean.
  • Work with colleagues to support the effective delivery of high-level/key events, which are led by the Political and Economics Team, including roundtables, screenings and receptions.

 

Policy/Political/Visits

  • Provide regular high quality analytical reporting on local developments and on UK activity in Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on internal politics, security, human rights and anti-corruption.
  • Co-ordinate the BHC’s effort to deliver UK policy on human rights, including working closely with civil society, academia and government institutions. This includes working with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure that key UK foreign policy objectives are met. This may require supporting event delivery in partnership with stakeholders and some project delivery.
  • Engage internationally, representing the BHC at high-level events and meetings.
  • Prepare briefings for and lead on programmes for official and VIP visits.

 

Chevening Scholarships/Commonwealth

  • Administer the local Chevening Scholarship Scheme, including advertising and promotion, short-listing, interviewing and managing pre-departure arrangements.
  • Support the development of the Trinidad and Tobago Chevening Alumni Association as an active force for good, and spot opportunities for members to support the delivery of UK objectives.
  • Support the delivery of Commonwealth objectives, including through engagement with various stakeholders and Commonwealth networks represented in Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Support the delivery of activities to mark Commonwealth Day and other key Commonwealth priorities. You may be required to manage and deliver projects in consultation with the Commonwealth Team in London.
  • Other tasks, in keeping with ability, may also be assigned from time to time.

 

Resources managed:

Manage the delivery of the Library and Information Services Budget (allocated annually) alongside Chevening Alumni and Marketing Funds (also allocated annually). There will be ad-hoc budget management opportunities centred on specific priorities.

 

 

 

 

Essential on arrival:

  • A minimum of a first degree.
  • A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a demanding communications, media or similar role.
  • Strong project management experience.
  • A thorough understanding of local politics and interest in international human rights issues.
  • Demonstrated networking skills, including the ability to build relationships in government, private and third sectors.
  • Demonstrated communications skills, including the ability to draft high-quality media releases and political analysis at pace.
  • The ability to work on their own initiative and to work well with others.
  • A high standard of integrity and confidentiality demonstrated by a proven record of accomplishment of excellence in a position of trust.
  • Must have the legal status to live and work in Trinidad and Tobago.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
2 February 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Long Term Contract, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
39
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Trinidad and Tobago
Port Of Spain
British High Commission
1
TTD
TTD $ 215,631
23 March 2023

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and an enriching learning and development opportunities.

BHC Port of Spain has an active L&D Committee, which oversees bids for training from staff members. We are committed to ensuring all staff have relevant and developmental training opportunities.

You will be required to undergo a one-week communications training course within your first year to ensure you have a clear understanding of FCDO and UK government communications. Other training opportunities are available through consultation with our Mexico Hub.

Working patterns:

The British High Commission offers flexible working, which includes flexible working hours and work from home, and office working that meets role objectives. This must be discussed and agreed with your line manager prior to implementation. The job would allow the applicant to work from home for up to two days per week. The role requires occasional out of office attendance at/and hosting of events.

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.

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.