Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media
Main purpose of the job:
A unique opportunity to lead the UK government’s communications, press and public affairs in Singapore. This role offers a creative, dynamic and politically astute people-person the chance to shape and direct strategic government communications. This is about setting and delivering a strategic vision for the UK’s image in Singapore that reflects the British Government’s policy priorities, working with teams across the High Commission to promote and profile the UK’s strengths, deliver campaigns, visits and events that support our ambitions and our values. This role requires high quality communication and policy judgement, an ability to identify and exploit communication opportunities, and to navigate challenging stories. The successful candidate will oversee the High Commission’s outward-facing activities, including digital and large-scale events, as well as our internal communications.
The British High Commission in Singapore is part of a worldwide network of 230 Posts, representing the full scale of British Government engagement overseas, and working to promote the UK’s prosperity, security and consular interests. There is also a significant regional aspect to the role: Singapore is the base for many of the UK government’s regional functions in South East Asia, including the Science and Innovation Network, Economics Network, Climate Change and Energy Network, and Defence . The current postholder also holds the Senior Regional Communicator function for the region.
The Head of Communications leads the Singapore Communications Team, creating and driving a Communications strategy targeted to the local market and working with other teams to ensure that Communications are an integral part of delivering objectives in accordance with the Singapore High Commission Business Plan. This includes media planning and delivery for ministerial / Royal visits; developing and delivering high-profile campaigns; and advising on communications activities to support the work of all High Commission teams. The job holder will also work as part of the High Commission management team and support the regional communications effort in South East Asia.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Developing and overseeing delivery of a wide-ranging Communications strategy incorporating all aspects of the UK’s objectives in Singapore. This includes conceptualisation of campaigns and oversight of delivery, and champion for the SG-UK Partnership for the Future brand.
- Shaping public messaging, managing the UK’s reputation and providing timely advice on how to best convey UK policy to local audiences and promote outreach.
- Leading a high performing team of four to deliver high profile exposure and events for the High Commission. This includes responsibility for the section budget and leading a detailed Learning & Development effort.
- Providing high quality comms advice, analysis and insight to the High Commissioner and senior staff, liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that core UK messages are heard.
- Overseeing a savvy public profiling of the UK in the media and social media, through speaking opportunities; VIP visits; relationship with prominent media outlets; and outreach to the Singaporean community in the UK.
- Act as a member of the High Commission’s senior management team, making a significant contribution to the corporate management of the High Commission.
- Crisis communications lead for Singapore
Resources managed:
- 3 x Singapore Communications Manager (B3L); 1 X Regional Communications Officer – Digital & Design (A2L)
- Singapore Communications Team Budget – £15k
- Campaign fund budgets in line with any successful bids
You will be given autonomy, responsibility and the flexibility to try new things. In return, we are looking for an individual who is driven, open, creative, responsible, and has a vision for and commitment to delivering excellence in communications.
Specifically:
- Substantial experience in leading strategic communications work within an organisation.
- Strong understanding of the media, political and economic environment in Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia region.
- An understanding of how strategic communications helps deliver policy objectives. Understanding of UK politics and society.
- First-class oral and written communication skills.
- Strong project management skills, with a focus on outcomes and results.
- Media relations, including an understanding of what Singapore-based journalists want and how best to work with them
- Experience of using internal communications to inform, engage and inspire
- Experience in leading a team and delivering through others.
- A keen understanding of what makes engaging content and how to have digital impact, including on @UKinSingapore channels
- Strong background in working with senior stakeholders.
- Able to work independently to deliver, direct, advise, and build capability.
- Able to build up a network and influence through it.
- Experience in managing events.
- Experience in budget management.
- Experience in writing speeches and op-eds.
- Experience of government or not for profit communications.
Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering
13 July 2021
C5 (L)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Asia Pacific
Singapore
Singapore
British High Commission
1
8,265
30 August 2021
We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary of SGD 8,265 per month and annual wage supplement [an additional 2 months’ salary paid out in December each year], 23-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata and insurance plan.
Due to the Government of Singapore’s measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including safe distancing and travel restrictions, we are only able to accept applications from those currently resident in Singapore.
We offer time and financial support for the successful candidate to take advantage of professional learning and development opportunities inside and outside of the organisation.
The BHC has an active Learning & Development Committee which works hard to provide a comprehensive L&D offer. There is a wide range of options available for personal development including training courses, coaching and mentoring, job-shadowing, presentations and learning sets. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the International Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all available opportunities.
All new hires undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses that must be completed in order to pass probation.
Normal working hours are 37.5 per week: 8.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday.
BHC Singapore supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering.
In addition to the duties which this job normally entails, you may from time to time be required to undertake additional or other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the High Commission, including playing a part in the corporate life of the mission and supporting any crisis response.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a local work permit which we will sponsor.
Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Singapore employment law.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Only short-listed applications will be called for personal interviews.
The British High Commission is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
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.
Candidates must complete a manifesto setting out how you would approach the job and what you would aim to achieve in it if appointed, your relevant experience and any additional information in support of your bid. There is no set format for this but it should be 1-2 sides of A4 per bid and explain how you intend to do each job using your current skills and experience. Please also submit a 2 page CV. Please attach this in your online application or send it to [email protected] with this subject: Application – SIN – Head of Communications, British High Commission Singapore (Manifesto).
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
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.
To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative 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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /in your cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.