View Vacancy - TNT [internal vacancy] - Communications and Press Manager (EO)

The British Embassy Tunis has an internal vacancy for a Communications and Press Manager, job grade Executive Officer (EO) on a fixed term contract for one (1) year (renewable).

Working at the heart of the British Embassy in Tunis, the Communications and Press Manager will coordinate across the Mission in order to deliver the British Embassy Country Business Plan (CBP) to all relevant stakeholders, be it the Tunisian government, the business community, British Nationals in the country, and the wider general public. Whether it is amplifying messages from visiting British VIPs, supporting the Ambassador’s communication strategy, running our social media platform, or delivering media campaigns, the work you undertake will make a difference and will help ensure UK interests and objectives are effectively communicated in Tunisia and beyond. While the work can be high-pressured and fast-paced, you will be at the centre of things, working alongside senior diplomats and a broad range of policy departments. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Develop and manage all aspects of Embassy communications strategy, based on sound understanding of the global, regional, and local political, social, and media context.
• Manage the Embassy’s digital platform on the website and three social media accounts to engage with Tunisian opinion formers and influencers, preparing social media content to be issued in English and Arabic from the British Embassy Tunis account’s and HMA’s personal X (formerly Twitter) account.
• Systematically monitor (and analyse) Tunisian and relevant regional and UK media reporting to inform the wider Embassy of local developments and track trends, alerting colleagues and writing reports, as necessary.
• Plan and deliver targeted creative communication campaigns that progress HMG objectives in-country.
• Provide communications and media handling advice about the local context to HMA and other senior HMG officials; providing coaching/ practice as required. Lead weekly communications planning meetings with HMA, presenting your ideas for activities to her for approval.
• Lead on media plans for VIP visits and key events in Tunisia, supporting visiting UK Ministers, HMG Envoys, and HMA with media engagements and communications activity. Co-ordinating with journalists, preparing lines to take, practising in advance, and supporting during media engagements (including interpretation if necessary).
• Systematically evaluate impact of all communications and social media activity, producing quarterly reports to track trends and learn lessons.
• Produce digital products to showcase the work and policies of the UK Government.
• Develop and maintain a strong network, including with journalists and influencers from the local media and other organisations who will be able to amplify content from the British Embassy and support UK objectives.
• Handle media enquiries, liaising with the FCDO Press Office, as necessary.
• Work with contractors to develop innovative content to showcase the work of the Embassy.
• Manage the Embassy’s core media script.
• Act as media manager in the Embassy’s crisis preparedness committee.
• Provide ad-hoc translation and cover within the team, as necessary.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis. 

Key behaviours required:

• Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.

Eligibility:

Applicants must already have the right to work and reside in Tunisia.

• Relevant professional experience in communication or journalism, ideally for at least three (3) years.
• Knowledge and understanding of how Tunisian media functions at national and local levels.
• Experience in production of communications tools (written and multimedia).
• Strong experience of social media management and digital communication.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Tunisia’s media scene.
• An interest in domestic and international politics and current affairs.
• Confident and clear communicator, and fluent in English, Arabic, and French, both spoken and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
• Strong planning, organisational, and time management skills. Ability to work independently, prioritise flexibly, and use own initiative to deliver to tight deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with contacts and colleagues.
• Excellent customer focus and responsive to customer needs and able to treat others with respect and courtesy regardless of work pressures.
• Flexibility and resilience to deliver results under frequent and tight deadlines while maintaining a high standard of work.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook) and editing of photographs and videos.