View Vacancy - Head of Communications
The British Embassy, Israel has a vacancy for the position of Head of Communications, Grade – C5 (L).
Overview of the role:
An exciting opportunity for an experienced manager to Head the British Embassy’s Communications team.
The Communications team serve as the public face of the Embassy, driving forward an ambitious programme of public diplomacy events and delivers the Embassy’s communications strategy. This role requires high quality communication and political judgement, an ability to identify and exploit communication opportunities, and to navigate challenging stories.
The job holder will play a key role in the Embassy’s high-profile public diplomacy and media work. They will work across all Embassy teams. The successful candidate will be tasked with developing and implementing the Embassy’s communications strategy. Through the work of the Communications section, the individual will be responsible for securing high-profile coverage and public exposure of Embassy activities.
She or he will lead the communications team, made up of a Deputy Head of Communications and two Communications officers, and will oversee the Embassy’s outward-facing activities, including digital and large-scale public events. The job holder will also work as part of the Embassy management team.
Main Responsibilities:
- Developing and overseeing delivery of a wide-ranging Comms strategy incorporating all aspects of the UK’s objectives in Israel.
- Shaping public messaging and providing real time advice to the Foreign Office in London, on a daily basis and during crisis, on how to best convey UK policy to local audiences and promote outreach to the Israeli public.
- Leading a high performing team of four to deliver high profile exposure and events for the Embassy. This includes responsibility for the section budget and leading a detailed Learning & Development effort.
- Providing high quality comms advice, analysis and insight to the Ambassador and senior Embassy staff, liaising with internal and external comms stakeholders to ensure that core UK messages are heard.
- Overseeing a savvy public profiling of the Ambassador and the UK in the media and social media, through speaking opportunities; VIP visits; relationship with prominent media outlets; and outreach to the Jewish community in the UK.
- Act as a member of the Embassy’s senior management team, making a significant contribution to the corporate management of the Embassy.
Resources Managed:
- Section budget and 3 members of staff.
Key Competencies:
- Seeing the Big Picture – This is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.
- Leading and Communicating - Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.
- Making Effective Decisions - Effectiveness in this area is about being objective; using sound judgment, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.
- Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
Essential:
- Native speaker or mother tongue level of written and verbal communication skills in English and Hebrew.
- At least five years’ progressively senior experience in media and/or public relations.
- At least five years’ experience in managing a team.
- High-level leadership skills.
- Strategic awareness of UK-Israel relations and the role of the British Embassy in delivering UK objectives.
- Top-level communications skills.
- Highly-developed interpersonal, people management and team working skills.
- Creativity, flexibility and ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience in social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn).
- Motivation and enthusiasm to work as part of a small, agile, ambitious team.
- Knowledge and contacts in the Israeli press and foreign media based in Israel.
- Excellent IT skills and high competency in Microsoft Office.
Desirable:
- Experience in managing medium-large scale events.
- Experience in budget management.
- Experience in writing speeches and op-eds.
- Familiarity with the UK media based in Israel and Jewish media in the UK.
Working Hours and Remuneration:
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including the non-negotiable salary of NIS 20,000 per month plus social benefits: Pension employer contribution 7.5% and Keren Hishtalmut employer contribution 7.5%. The successful candidate will be on a six-month probationary period. Parking facilities are not provided or paid for by the embassy.
The Embassy invests in staff’s development with a variety of learning and development opportunities.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
Working hours are Monday to Thursday 8:00-16:00 and Friday 8:00-13:30 – total of 37.5 weekly hours. Office is based in Tel Aviv.
Combination of office and remote working is available subject to work priorities. All flexible working patterns to be agreed with line manager.
Eligibility:
If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:
- Receive the appropriate level of security clearance;
- Candidates must be able to work legally in Israel.
To Apply:
Interested candidates must attach the following documents when applying online.
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A covering letter (no more than 1 page of A4) stating why you feel you have the necessary skills to perform well in the above role.
** (Applications that do not include the above stated information will be rejected).
All applications must be submitted before 23:55 (Local Time) on 10 August 2020.
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Due to the large amount of applications we receive only those shortlisted for assessment/interview will be contacted.
The selection process will include a written exercise, an interview, with a possibility of additional screening process.
The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local labour law.
The British Embassy Tel Aviv is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
