View Vacancy - Communications Manager (Maternity Cover) - Internal Only (42/22 NR)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Communications, Press and Media

Main purpose of job:

To deliver British High Commission (BHC) communications as part of the Communications Team, promoting UK policies through digital diplomacy, public diplomacy campaigns, and in-country media handling. The jobholder will be based in Nairobi.

Roles and responsibilities 

The successful candidate will be lead operational contact for one or more pillars of the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership, managing news contacts and media. They will support the British High Commissioner to Kenya and other teams and senior figures in the British High Commission, to promote UK interests in Kenya through:

  • Drafting & distributing local press releases; preparing press lines for BHC staff in relation to UK objectives.
  • Develop and implement communications campaigns and strategies that will influence UK communications campaigns around policy priorities.
  • Support the Women in Media Think tank through co-organising engagements with the High Commissioner and running relevant thematic campaigns.
  • Provision of strategic media advice to stakeholders both internal and external, BHC colleagues and London office, building wider media relations and contacts, developing core scripts and media plans.
  • Responding to enquiries; and producing proactive communications relating to the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership.
  • Organising local press events and media briefings.
  • Developing pillar specific content on BHC’s UKinKenya website and social media channels; developing excellent working relationships with internal and external partners for digital campaigns; providing technical assistance during public diplomacy activities through photography and recording videos of events (where applicable) for use on the website and social media.
        • Previous experience of working in a communications role; strong understanding of/familiarity with Kenya news media and political environment.
        • Excellent communicator with demonstrable experience of working in public relations and/or news media.
        • Strong interpersonal skills, experience of working in a fast-paced environment and delivering to deadline.
        • Experience of organising media related events and/or briefings.
        • Proven editorial skills, with a sound understanding of writing for the web and social media.
        • Qualifications – Bachelor’s degree in journalism/Development Communications/Media and Public Relations
        • Proven IT skills, especially management of websites and social media.
        • Drive and a willingness to work under time pressure.
        • Excellent level of spoken and written English; ideally conversant in Kiswahili.
        Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture
        9 December 2022
        Executive Officer (EO)
        Fixed Term
        36.25
        6 months
        Africa
        Kenya
        Nairobi
        British High Commission
        1
        KES 230,232.33
        15 January 2023

        Hours of work are:

        Monday to Thursday 0715 to 1600 (inclusive of 1 hour lunch break)

        Friday 0730 to 1300


        • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
        • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
        • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
        • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Nairobi are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Kenya.
        • It is essential that the applicants already have the right to live and work in Kenya without the need to apply for a work permit.
        • Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.   
        • Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles. Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5 
        • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
        • Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.
        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.