Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media
Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Please note that due to Covid-19 outbreak, the start date of employment mentioned in the advert is tentative, subject to normal business of British High Commission. All recruitment campaigns will remain open for applications, we will progress the recruitment process as swiftly as possible and continue to review all applications, monitor progress and developments. We will be in touch with you for the interviews/ should there be further updates on the application, however given the circumstances, kindly expect some delay in response and please reach out to if you have any further questions.
Please Note: This is a fixed term position for 1 year.
Main purpose of job:
The jobholder will be responsible for driving the Technology & Innovation campaign, changing perceptions and raising awareness about UK-India collaboration. They will set direction for the campaign by gathering insight, coordinating and implementing activity, and then monitoring and evaluating the impact of our communications. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, one of UK’s key overseas priorities is the global response to Covid-19, a search for a vaccine and close health cooperation. This work sits within the tech campaign, and there is scope for the position to develop and evolve as result of the growing profile of health work.
Roles and Responsibilities :
The role
As part of a vibrant and fun Campaigns Team of 8, you will lead on planning, implementing and evaluating the communications effort to promote the Technology campaign. You will use situational insight and perception studies to inform your approach and will continuously adjust, update and refine the communications plan to ensure it is as effective as possible. You will need to build a strong internal network with the wide range of UK government departments represented in the UKinIndia network. Externally, drawing on your network of media contacts, you will look for creative and new opportunities to deliver an effective multi-media comms campaign that makes the most of the rich and varied work taking place in India.
The theme of Technology is about capitalising on the UK’s strengths as a global leader in technology and innovation, and the many opportunities for working in partnership with India. This is an exciting and high profile campaign that includes a range of activity such as the UK-India Tech Partnership, the UK’s work with India on finding a Covid-19 vaccine, all aspects of technology/innovation (including fintech, createch and green tech) as well as the extensive UK-India relationship on science and research.
You will have overall responsibility for the campaign – bringing it to life, and working on everything from audience and insight development, key messages, to implementation and evaluation. You will be required to deliver your campaign across the India network (there are seven Deputy High Commissions across India, as well as the High Commission in Delhi) working with comms leads in the regions. You will also work with a range of communications specialists to deliver your campaign content, including, amongst others: press and media, digital, events, marketing, and insight.
Specifically, the job holder will:
- Develop and maintain a virtual network of policy officials internally, within the British High Commission in New Delhi and around the India Network, to ensure a clear understanding of the activity at the heart of your campaign theme, find stories, create up-to-date and compelling content, and maintain an awareness of potential sensitivities. Support non-communications colleagues on presentation, and identifying sensitives and opportunities.
- Advise colleagues and partners on comms handling around your campaign, and help to manage media issues.
- Working with key stakeholders, maintain, update and improve the campaign products: 1 pager, narrative, overall strategic plan.
- Lead on production of content and stories linked to Technology, science and innovation, on the links between India and Britain, to place both on UKinIndia digital channels, and in mainstream media.
- Manage the production of suitable photo, video, stories and other material as input to UKinIndia digital channels.
- Engage closely with and contribute to the work of the communications teams across the seven Deputy High Commissions across India, and the British Council network. Taking into account regional aspects, language issues etc. in the delivery of your campaign activity.
- Work with the Insights and Evaluation lead and others to establish a monitoring and evaluation process, in order to measure the impact of your work. Report back to senior stakeholders.
- Maintain flexibility, supporting colleagues working on other campaign themes, and take on project responsibilities outside of your core theme required (for example during ministerial visits, or responding to emerging issues).
- Contribute to internal communications for the High Commission network in India, and the rest of UK government.
The job holder
You will need to be proactive, organised and energetic. You will be working across different departments (some with different IT systems), and will need to quickly get to grips with complex topics, have strong communication instincts, and balance priorities. This role is about ensuring our technology comms is evidence-based, so you will need to able to take a long-term view and not be unduly influenced by what is immediately in front of you. You will need to be proactive in coming up with hooks and ideas for messaging, and not rely on existing visits and events to drive your work. Your campaign will have a wide range of stakeholders, so your ability to quickly build relationships and bring people on board will be key. You will need to have a sound understanding of campaign planning, and able to think creatively about how to tackle issues, change perceptions and get your audience’s attention.
The British High Commission
The UK is one of the largest and more active foreign missions in India, and it represents the UK’s largest overseas network, with over 1000 staff and eight posts. The Press & Communications Group sits at the heart of this network, with frequent access to the High Commissioner and engagement with the 16+ government departments represented in India. Despite its size, it is a warm and welcoming team. The High Commission is committed to ensuring officers enjoy a good work life balance. It is a stimulating place to work where we value diversity and inclusion and care about the development of our people.
Resources managed:
No direct line management responsibilities.
The successful candidate will have many opportunities to refine management skills through management of the virtual campaign network.
Language requirements:
Language: English and Hindi.
Level of language required: The jobholder should be fluent in written and spoken English and be able to function in Hindi.
A written test will be included as part of the recruitment process.
Learning and development opportunities:
The jobholder will be able to access a wide range of English language online and face-to-face training delivered for the UK government in Britain and abroad. They will have opportunities to access specialist training for government communicators. Much of the learning is on the job, which will be diverse and varied.
In normal times, the job involves opportunities to travel around India (in particular to our network of Deputy High Commissions) but also to London for training. At present, the team are all working remotely due to covid restrictions and work travel is paused.
Essential on arrival:
– Previous experience in media, public relations, or campaigning in India. Either as a journalist in traditional or digital media, campaign manager or in the wider communications field.
– Solid understanding of campaign planning and experience in designing and delivering a communications campaign.
– A proactive and creative attitude to communications. Looking for comms opportunities to promote the campaign and implementing them in new and innovative ways.
– Excellent written communication skills, to be able to draft press releases, communications strategies, and proof-read.
– Familiarity with different digital platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) and ability to communicate professionally on these.
Desirable:
– Experience in generating digital content, working closely with photographers, video makers and others to produce material for digital media.
– Experience building the capability and capacity of others to deliver effective communications products.
– Experience in working on technology, innovation and health issues in a communications role.
Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace
23 November 2020
C4 (L)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
12 months
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
New Delhi
British High Commission
1
INR 102,429 per month plus 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance
1 January 2020
For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
For other than BHC candidates, salary will be INR 102,429 per month plus 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance.
Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with Rs. 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.
The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.
Around half of our work force is women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.
Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’
To Apply:
Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.
A. Complete the Online Application Form
B. Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form
Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.
We will accept only online applications by 23 November 2020 midnight.
Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission
Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.
We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.
To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.