Main purpose of job

The Political and Communications Officer plays a key role in supporting the British High Commission’s political analysis, stakeholder engagement, communications and influence objectives. 

We are recruiting two Political and Communications Officers to work in complementary, interchangeable and highly flexible roles. While particular responsibilities may be divided between the two officers according to business need, workload, experience, and individual strengths, both postholders will be expected to work closely together, provide mutual cover, and contribute across the full range of the team’s responsibilities.

Working as part of a small and collaborative team, the postholder will identify emerging developments, maintain political and stakeholder knowledge, deliver comms activity, support engagement with key partners and ensure the effective delivery of scholarships, visits and project activity. 

The role combines horizon scanning, information management, stakeholder engagement and business delivery, helping ensure the High Commission has the information, relationships and systems required to advance UK interests.

Roles and responsibilities

Political insight and horizon scanning

• Monitor political, economic and social developments across Barbados, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis and flag issues of significant to UK interests.
• Conduct research and gather information from a range of sources to support political analysis and decision-making.
• Use AI and digital tools to collect, organise, summarise and retrieve information efficiently.
• Maintain political reporting records, stakeholder information and institutional knowledge repositories.
• Support the development of briefing materials, reporting and analysis for senior colleagues. 

Stakeholder engagement and influence

• Maintain stakeholder records and contact databases, ensuring information remains accurate and up to date.
• Support stakeholder mapping exercises by identifying emerging contacts, influencers and routes of access.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with a wide range of contacts across government, civil society, media and academia.
• Assist with the planning and delivery of stakeholder engagement activity, visits, meetings, roundtables and events.
• Support lobbying and influencing activity through research, stakeholder analysis and follow-up engagement.

Communications and public diplomacy

• Produce comms products including social media content, digital products, press notices and event publicity.
• Maintain awareness of media coverage and identify opportunities to advance UK objectives.
• Support the implementation of network comms plans and campaigns.
• Monitor engagement and feedback to help improve comms activity.

Scholarships, projects and business delivery

• Lead administration of the Chevening Scholarships programme and support Commonwealth Scholarships engagement activity.
• Maintain contact with alumni networks and support activities that strengthen UK influence.
• Act as secretariat for small project activity, maintaining records, coordinating meetings and supporting compliance processes.
• Support financial administration, monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate logistics for VIP visits, events and engagement activity. 

Corporate contribution

• Contribute to crisis response and business continuity activity.
• Support wider High Commission priorities as required.
• Work flexibly across political, comms and corporate priorities, supporting colleagues and adapting to changing business needs.

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, professional qualification or equivalent experience, or a minimum of two years’ relevant professional experience in administration, comms, project delivery, stakeholder engagement, research, public affairs, customer service, government, education or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and professional written material.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience gathering, organising or analysing information to support decision making, projects, comms or stakeholder engagement.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records, databases and information systems. 
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and contribute effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Interest in political, economic, social or international affairs and a willingness to develop knowledge of issues affecting Barbados, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis.
• Ability to learn quickly, embrace new technologies and adapt to changing business priorities.
• Sound judgement and ability to handle sensitive information appropriately and professionally.
• Legal status to live and work in Barbados in your own right, from time of Application.