Main purpose of job:

This role is about delivering high quality work at pace. We are looking for someone who is as comfortable clearly articulating success as they are driving delivery in real time. If that sounds like you – and you are looking for a supportive, professional environment in which to grow – we would love to hear from you. We are a small team, and this role requires a candidate who is resilient, adaptable and energetic, with the confidence to operate at speed while maintaining high standards.

The High Commission’s Policy and Communication Officer will lead on specific policy areas that the High Commission works on, and on communication output for the mission. They will provide significant support to senior leadership in the Mission (the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner and Head of Policy and Programmes). They will have substantial responsibility to support delivery of the UK’s bilateral objectives as defined clearly in the country business plan, including through policy, communication and programme work as well as contributing to high quality political analysis and reporting. 

The role will require a self-starter, a solid team player with good analytical and programme management skills, and the ability to multi-task effectively and meet tight deadlines on occasions. We place a high premium on the ability to deliver accurately and at pace. The jobholder will have opportunities to engage on a wide range of issues in addition to their formal job description, including contributing to wider representational, corporate and operational work.

Roles and responsibilities:

Policy Delivery 55%  

• Work with the Head of Policy and Programmes to build and maintain relationships with a range of key actors in the UK and Botswana including government ministries, parliament, academia, civil society, businesses and the media
• Develop an in-depth understanding of the UK’s economic growth, energy and governance priorities and approach, and how our work in Botswana can support these both domestically and regionally
• Produce high quality reporting and analysis on the internal social, political, economic and wider development issues in Botswana drawing on a wide range of information and interlocutors
• Undertake regular horizon scanning to identify potential risks to HMG policy and opportunities for innovative ways for HMG to add additional value
• Represent the BHC at a wide range of external meetings and events, presenting the UK position and producing timely meeting reports afterwards
• You are expected to be flexible and responsive in this small team, which will include tasks not specified in this job description that support policy delivery. This will likely involve supporting visits, including organising visit programmes, meetings, site visits and logistics

Strategic Communications 30% 

• Lead on development of a communications strategy for the High Commission
• Produce targeted communications products (social media and press) with support and inputs from the rest of the Policy Team to further UK objectives in Botswana
• Work with BHC colleagues to deliver events that promote UK values and contribute to the delivery of policy objectives
• Lead on the organisation of inward and outwards visits between Botswana and the UK for Ministers, senior officials and Parliamentarians, providing direct support to the Deputy High Commissioner

Programme Management and Support 15%

• Provide ongoing support to Policy and Programme Team with project management across the project cycle, including with design, delivery and review of the High Commission’s project priorities
• As Programme Board Secretariat, act as coordination point for preparation of relevant Board proposal papers, concept notes, agendas, recording meeting minutes, maintaining sight of programme spend and managing ad hoc approvals
• Work with any implementing partners to provide communications support – leveraging on project outcomes to translate them into impactful communications outputs

• Undergraduate degree preferably in Social Sciences/ Media, Marketing and Communications or related fields
• At least 3+ years’ work experience in Policy and/or Communications support and delivery.  
• Strong written and spoken communication skills