Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media
Main purpose of job:
The British Consulate-General in Toronto is the office of the United Kingdom Government in Ontario and Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to Canada. We are part of a network of five UK Government offices in Canada. The Media and Public Affairs Officer is responsible for advancing UK policy and prosperity objectives in Ontario through fostering cooperation between British and provincial partners and promoting UK interests through communications and public diplomacy tools.
Roles and responsibilities:
The following policy skills are expected to take up 40% of the MPA’s workload capacity:
- Develop and maintain contacts for the Consulate in the Ontario policy and political world including Queens Park, Provincial political parties, NGOs, think-tanks and universities.
- Develop opportunities for collaboration between Ontario and UK government departments in areas of public policy.
- Monitor, analyse and report on political and policy developments in Ontario.
- Work with the Consul-General and colleagues at post to promote key events and priorities that promote UK government policy.
The following communications skills are expected to take up 40% of the MPA’s workload capacity:
- Keep a detailed log of provincial media outlets (TV, Print and Radio, Online) as well as journalists in the region.
- Monitor major media outlets in Toronto; analyse and report on issues relating to UK priorities in Ontario and Canada.
- Establish good relations through regular contact with reporters and media outlets in the region.
- Identify and exploit potential areas of media interest that align with the BHC’s strategic communications plan and the broader Country Business Plan (CBP).
- Work with other teams and departments to plan, implement and deliver public relations events and activities for the Consulate General.
- Establish good relations through regular contact with communication departments in the private and public sector, e.g. academic institutions and business groups, to identify relevant information and stories that tie in with the BHC strategic communication plan.
- Assist the Consul General/Trade Commissioner to Canada in preparing for media engagements.
- Track analytics and create reports of local media engagements.
- Ensure that all communications and marketing material aligns with brand standards.
- Work with the communications team across the network to develop and implement national communication campaigns.
- Work closely with colleagues at post and across the network to proactively identify communications projects that advance the BHC Strategic Communications plan.
- When required, work with the Digital Lead and/or Consul-General to plan, develop and implement digital campaigns that align and promote UK government policy and objectives.
- Work with team members across CANET to implement digital communications messaging and projects as directed by the London communications team.
The following strategic communication, planning and management priorities are expected to take up 20% of the MPA’s workload:
- Develop strategic priorities for the Toronto post, working closely with the Toronto leadership team.
- Identify key stakeholders for the Toronto team to engage with while routinely exploring new and innovative ways to target relevant audiences.
- Develop a regional communications plan that identifies SMART objectives and local audiences to reach based on policy priorities and the MPA strategic communications plan.
- Manage the executive assistant to the Consul General/Trade Commissioner to Canada.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
No permanent staff management, but the officer may be responsible for recruiting and managing an intern.
The jobholder will play a role in managing the budgets of ad hoc projects.
- University degree
- Knowledge of and interest in the UK
- Good understanding of Ontario as well as Canadian provincial and federal politics
- Good written communication skills
- Skills in digital communication and public relations
- Language: jobholder must be able to work in English; French or other languages are an asset
- Experience of political, press and/or public affairs work
- Experience of working in a diplomatic mission or in a government organisation
Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service
6 September 2021
B3 (L)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Canada
Toronto
British Consulate General
1
$64,332.83 ($5,361.06 per month)
25 October 2021
Must have the legal status to live and work in Canada.
The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.
Working patterns:
The UK in Canada Network fully supports and actively encourages staff to consider alternative forms of working. Active consideration will be given to all applications for flexible working arrangements. Agreement to a request to work flexibly is always subject to operational requirements and line manager agreement.
Currently work is mostly remote, once normal operations resume, job holder will be expected to go into the office several days per week.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The jobholder will be encouraged to undertake developmental training relevant to the position and to and participate in wider learning and development opportunities. The role is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills in political analysis and reporting, stakeholder engagement, events management, digital communications and press handling.
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