View Vacancy - Head of Policy and Communications

Main purpose of job:

The Governor’s Office is responsible for good governance, defence and security, and external affairs, among other areas as set out in the 2007 Constitution.  The main purpose of the jobholder will be to work closely with the Head of  the Governor’s Office to support the Governor’s policy priorities, leading on specific policy areas, and providing advice to the Governor and colleagues, including but not limited to:

• Economy and budget;
• Financial, legal and corporate services, including preparation for the upcoming CFATF assessment and ensuring compliance with international anti-money laundering obligations;
• Sanctions implementation and breaches;
• Mutual Legal Assistance requests;
• Governance, as appropriate;
• Communications strategy;
• Programme oversight, as appropriate;
• Social and other policy issues as needed, including human rights;
• Corporate responsibilities.

This role is varied and the job holder will need to be flexible as the office priorities change. The Governor’s Office is a small team and the ability to support others and to take on new challenges is key. This is a small team, with frequent change, so this role will flex to meet the needs of the office, responding to requirements as they appear. Agility, resilience, leadership, and strong communication skills are all prerequisites.

Additionally, the BVI is vulnerable to natural disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis. As such, the role would change significantly if the Territory is impacted.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

The key responsibilities of the job-holder will be to:

• Be a part of the Office’s leadership team, and lead on a number of priority work-strands, advising the governor and driving policy, including management and oversight of the financial services portfolio, as well as broader economic policy. This includes providing expert advice to the Governor on international policies and trends and their potential impact on the sector in BVI, as well as direct responsibility for ensuring that the Governor meets obligations as Competent Authority for Sanctions enforcement and international legal assistance ahead of the Territory’s CFATF assessment in 2022.
• Liaise closely with the Deputy Governor’s Office, Ministries, the private sector and colleagues across the full range of policy and communication matters.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships in BVI, as well as with colleagues in the FCDO and across other UK Government departments and agencies.
• As communications lead, develop and lead the Governor’s Office’s communications strategy, setting clear objectives, planning ahead, and delivering activity through the team in line with the Governor’s constitutional responsibilities and wider FCDO priorities.
• Quality control and manage the Governor’s social media accounts, ensuring messaging is consistent with priorities, while ensuring positive values and integrity are upheld at all times.
• Act as the first point of contact for the media in BVI, and liaise closely with the BVI government information service. Advise and oversee the process of drafting and issuing of press releases, media handling and liaison,  setting up proactive media interviews for the Governor and providing briefings, as well as continuously monitoring and assessing impact.
• Play a key role in the Office’s Crisis Management Plan, acting as Bronze Political Manager, and back-up Silver Crisis Manager.
• Supervise  team members, act as cover for the HOGO when absent, and take on broader corporate objectives as defined.

Resources managed:

1 X B3L (this may change in line with needs)

• Honours degree in related field and/or 5+ years’ experience in financial and corporate services.
• At least 5 years of communications experience (preferably with strategic, media and digital communications as the role will require all three communications skills).