View Vacancy - MNL - Head of Communications, C4 (L)

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

The British Embassy Manila is a large diplomatic mission (around 250 staff) delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives on prosperity, security and consular matters. The Embassy is a modern, diverse and inclusive employer where everyone contributes to the Embassy’s CORE Values of Collaboration, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence.

Main purpose of job:

The Head of Communications, reporting to the Political Counsellor and working closely with Her Majesty’s Ambassador, will lead the development and implementation of ambitious communication, media and digital strategies reflecting the breadth of objectives of the British Embassy; as well as enhancing the profile and reputation of the UK and Her Majesty’s Government.

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

  • Working across the Embassy and with the British Council, lead the development and implementation of the Embassy’s communication and digital strategies to support the delivery of the Embassy and HMG priorities and objectives, providing communications and media handling advice to other members of the Embassy team and being the Manila lead in the regional communications network.
  • Oversee delivery of communications campaigns through the communications team, liaising with traditional and social media, Philippines government contacts, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Press Office, FCDO Communications Team, and other external stakeholders, and providing communications and media handling advice to other members of the Embassy team.
  • Leading the embassy’s relationship with traditional and social media contacts in the Philippines, and collaborating with FCDO Press Office to engage with UK/international media and UK government press offices (e.g. National Crime Agency, Home Office) to deliver a ‘One HMG’ approach to media and comms work.
  • Lead the alignment of core scripts, press lines, comms toolkits and key messages with key stakeholders, policy leads and senior management; proactively find innovative communications techniques to engage internal and external audiences; manage the communications resources including budget and assets.
  • Maintain a high level of performance and motivation within the team, by modelling strong leadership, offering a clear sense of direction, encouraging learning and development, and promoting a team spirit.
  • Proven experience working in communications, public relations, media or related field
  • A broad understanding of the Philippine political, economic, media and cultural environments and an active interest in Philippine global current affairs; demonstrate awareness of the role of the UK
  • Good relations with senior media contacts in the Philippine mainstream media
  • Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively across the Embassy
  • Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) in both English and Tagalog
  • Highly organised with an eye for detail
  • Ability to write structured plans
  • Ability to manage self and others, and demonstrate proactivity
  • Imaginative, creative and passionate
  • Creative thinking and good problem solving skills
  • Ability to work effectively and efficiently with colleagues to meet tight deadlines, prioritising workloads as required
  • Working knowledge of MS Office
  • Knowleadgable in digtal and social media
11 December 2020
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
36
Asia Pacific
Philippines
Manila
British Embassy
1
PHP
87,140
1 March 2021

The British Embassy offers a competitive compensation package, 36-hour work week, guaranteed 13th and 14th month pay, 20 days paid annual leave (calculated on Pro-rata basis if joined after 1 January), extensive medical insurance, life insurance and access to a guaranteed 5 days of learning opportunities a year. 

This role will start working remotely. We are open to proposals for flexible working patterns.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have work authorisation for the Philippines in order to apply.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Manila is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Philippine employment law.

Candidates are expected to have a valid NBI Clearance.

All applications must be received before 23:55 on the day of the deadline indicated above. 

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

The indicated start date is provisional depending on successful clearance of pre-employment/security checks.

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.