View Vacancy - Head, Press & Communications, BDHC Chennai

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:

To lead Post Press/Media & Comms work for the British Deputy High Commission Chennai. Working to the Deputy High Commissioner Chennai the jobholder will promote UK activity in Tamil Nadu & Kerala. The jobholder will work with the wider UKinIndia Press/Comms network to lead planning, delivery and measurement of comms campaigns around priority activities. They will lead Post digital/vernacular engagement in the region.

Roles and responsibilities :

Campaigns (20%)

  • Lead regional design of India-wide campaigns across UK priority areas.
  • Lead delivery of these campaigns locally (designing/leveraging targeted comms outreach around GREAT/GlobalBritain/Chevening etc) in liaison with Team Delhi and the wider network. Develop specific implementation plans for BDHC Chennai, considering how best to use a wide range of media to deliver priority messages (covering e.g. Trade, Tech, People to people links).
  • Lead on monitoring and evaluating of BDHC communications activities - both for one off events and long running campaigns.
  • Lead design/delivery of coherent BDHC Press & Comms activities - drawing on, as required, the full suite of content and tools – news releases, backgrounders, articles, speeches, photos, videos, scripts, OASIS, on/off record Press interviews/briefings by DHC Chennai/other senior spokespersons etc.

Press/Media & External Comms (30%)

  • Lead regional Press/Media relationships across English and vernacular press, TV, radio, web etc ensuring regular, positive coverage of UK activities and priorities. Act as first point of contact for local press and arrange all press engagements.
  • Lead on design/deployment of Press Lines in consultation with DHC Chennai & Head, Political [cross-dept issues/defensive lines]; rebut potentially high-impact false media stories as and when they appear
  • Leverage fluent vernacular skills (Tamil and Malayalam) to create/sustain Post vernacular media outreach/messaging to regional target audiences especially via digital platforms.
  • Lead comms/media handling during public engagement by DHC and senior UK officials across the mission, including during high profile visits/events.

Digital (30%)

  • Lead digital activity at Post, creating high quality content for the India Digital Hub covering the range of UKinIndia digital platforms e.g. – twitter, YouTube, Instagram, FB, LinkedIn, Flickr, Snapchat, Periscope, EventBrite, Storify, Soundcloud.
  • Lead design/leverage of the DHC Chennai regional twitter handle, ensuring regular production of tailor-made stories, videoclips, killer-facts etc.

Internal Comms, Living Bridge/Scripts, Branding (10%)

  • Lead Post Internal Comms showcasing/celebrating staff effort/success across the wider network [via Network tools such as People & Places, India Bulletin, GREAT Bulletin, blogs etc].
  • Lead Post internal/external use of duly approved FCO branding/collateral.
  • Lead design/deployment of Post 1-pager & Living Bridge stories so it contributes to the India NSC narrative across the 3 pillars of Prosperity, Security and People-to-People.

L&D, PDP/Self-Management & Cross-Post (10%)

  • Lead/support to key elements of cross-Post work eg: QBP, high-level visits/events
  • Prism, budget management related to Press/Comms work
  • Act as Media Manager as part of the Post Crisis Committee
  • L&D tied to PDP for ongoing personal/professional development
  • MTRs/appraisals etc.
  • At least 3-5 years successful and proven record in a leadership Press/PR/Comms role in a professional PR/Comms team/institution.
  • Proven management/leadership in design/deployment of digital content across digital/social media platforms. Fluency/expertise in use of cross-digital skills (skill in still photography, videography for use on digital platforms and skill in loading content to/deploying the full range of social media platforms/channels – twitter, YouTube, Instagram, FB etc)
  • Proven record in managing/leading/delivering largescale/high-profile Press/PR/Comms/Digital campaigns in a competitive market.
  • Extensive contacts/networks and understanding of/rapport with English & Vernacular Press & Broadcast & Digital Media in the region.
  • Post-graduate degree.

Language requirements:

Language: English & Tamil & Malayalam(Must).

Level of language required: Fluent (written and spoken).

  • Leadership/operational experience in a multi-department/team, international organisation
  • Experience of working with a wide range of teams/individuals to achieve corporate Press/Comms goals
  • Professional Press/Comms/PR and/or Digital Media/Marketing professional qualification/certification.
7 October 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
Chennai
British Deputy High Commission
1
INR
86993
15 November 2018

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates, salary will be 86993 per month together with a 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance.

Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with Rs 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.

Around half of our work force is women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

Learning and development opportunities :

On the job mentoring from Press & Communications Group BHC Delhi.

Press & Comms specialist courses off the India/FCO L&D platform.

To Apply: 

Please note applications without (a), (b) and (c) will not be considered.

A.     Complete the Online Application Form.

B.     Attach a detailed CV.

C.    Complete the Motivation Segment in the Online Application Form.

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers. Else the application will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 7th October 2018 midnight.

Please Note:

Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.

The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

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.