View Vacancy - Policy and Communications Officer

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 (Operations and Corporate Services)
Communications, Press and Media, Policy

Main Purpose of Job:

  • To provide policy analysis and advice to the Governor, flexing as needed according to priorities and emerging issues;
  • To act as digital and social media officer and support Head of Communications as needed;
  • To lead on HMG projects and programmes;
  • To lead on a range of other matters including scholarship schemes, royal, and some corporate services.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Policy analysis and advice (30%)

  • To analyse and provide advice to colleagues and the Governor on a range of policy areas, to include gender and environment, flexing as issues emerge.
  • To lead on and have oversight of all Environment related policy and programme matters for the office, tracking and working with relevant colleagues in DEFRA / FCDO / UK government, Darwin, programme implementation partners, and others as necessary to maximise opportunities and bridge gaps.
  • Liaise and build relationships with Government of the Virgin Islands counterparts, and represent the Governor’s Office in external meetings.
  • To work with colleagues to ensure internal systems are up-to-date and continually improve, e.g. policy core briefs.

Communications (30%)

  • To manage the Governor’s Office social media accounts, working with policy colleagues and partners to plan and draft content, obtain approvals, and to then publish.
  • Track HMG programme spend in BVI to inform comms content.
  • Lead on key comms products, working with policy leads to ensure up-to-date – e.g. media core script.
  • To support the Head of Comms as needed across all areas of communications.

Projects (10%)

  • Apply for and manage FCDO project funding as opportunities arise, working with colleagues in BVI to identify worthwhile causes and liaising with relevant FCDO teams in London as appropriate to implement;
  • Ensure projects deliver maximum impact and value for money, support Governor’s Office objectives, and all monitoring and reporting obligations are complied with;
  • Track and log HMG funded projects and programmes implemented in BVI, working with colleagues and relevant implementing partners in the UK, using content to inform GO comms material.

Other matters (30%)

  • Royal: lead on Remembrance and other veteran commemorative events. Localise and implement centrally issued plans for deaths of senior royals. Lead on coordinating with relevant BVI government and FCDO departments for e.g. commemorative coins and stamps, and centenary cards, and all other royal matters as they arise.
  • Chevening and other scholarships: Lead on the UK’s prestigious Chevening scholarship scheme and other UK funded scholarship schemes, publicising the application process, review and sift applicants, and liaise with successful scholars, including coordinating receptions and media for successful applicants with the Governor.
  • Corporate services: act as Post Accountant. Occasionally handle public enquiries on the telephone or face-to-face, and manage the Governor’s Office public email account.
  • Policy analysis skills
  • Wide ranging digital strategy, communication, and social media skills and experience
  • Excellent standards of written and spoken English.
  • Good organizational skills.
  • Proactive approach to problem solving.
  • Ability to complete multiple tasks to deadline.
  • Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and with autonomy.
  • Experience of dealing with the public and stakeholders.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Time management skills.
  • Strong administrative skills with excellent working knowledge of Windows and MS Office, especially Outlook, Word and Excel.
  • Flexibility, patience, and ability to deal with difficult situations, including working unsocial hours for official events or in a crisis.
  • Previous experience of a similar position
  • Experience in project management
  • Previous knowledge of the British Government and Overseas Territories
Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Developing Self and Others, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
1 April 2024
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
37
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
British Virgin Islands
Tortola
British Embassy
1
USD
$64,150
6 May 2024

Candidates for this role will need to go through security clearances and the offer of a role will be conditional on passing this.

BVI positions are work permit exempt and do not require a pre-existing legal status to live and work in the British Virgin Islands. However, non-British passport holders may require entry clearance and preference will be given to suitably qualified BVI Residents.

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.

Learning and Development Opportunities:

The FCDO is a supportive inclusive organization that offers significant learning and development opportunities, including access to a range of internationally recognized qualifications.

Some mandatory courses will be required to enable access to systems and to understand the FCDO.

The job holder will gain access to the FCDO’s International Academy, through which they will be able to undertake a range of learning to develop knowledge and professional skills, including policy, management skills, programme management and project delivery.

Working Patterns:

This is a full-time position of 5 working days, 37 hours net per week. Jobholder must attend key recurring office meetings and may sometimes need to work unsocial hours in an emergency or crisis or as directed by senior management. 

Potential to work from home one day a week in agreement with the line manager and in line with business requirements.

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

At this point, there is no 5% pension contribution and NHI/private medical benefit.

This is a 2 Year fixed contract initially, with the option to become permanent after that if agreed by both sides

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.