View Vacancy – Communications Officer

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Santo Domingo is seeking a Communications Officer to join our small, high-performing political team. This role would suit someone with a passion for communications and politics, with a particular emphasis on digital communications and public diplomacy campaigns. 

Reporting to the Director of Communications, this role is an excellent opportunity to gain  communications experience in an international environment, balancing social media and communications work, support for our high-profile Chevening scholarship scheme and alumni network and the opportunity to support the political work of the Embassy.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

COMMUNICATIONS (60%)

• Assisting the Director of Communications to develop and implement the Embassy’s communication strategy, manage digital strategies for events and promote GREAT campaign activities;
• Promoting the Embassy’s work and activities on social and traditional media channels;
• Managing the Embassy’s social media sites, using Hootsuite, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. – creating or sourcing daily content for these channels and responding to messages or queries from members of the public;
• Identifying compelling stories for media and digital communications that will advance our objectives, working closely with colleagues in the embassy and across the regional Communications Network;
• Supporting logistical and media support for Embassy events;
• Managing the Embassy’s gov.uk webpage;
• Managing the Embassy’s general inbox;
• Monitoring the UK and Dominican social media;
• Updating the FCDO Travel Advice for the Dominican Republic as needed.

CHEVENING SCHOLARSHIPS (10%)

• Providing support to the Embassy Chevening Scholarship programme, including liaising with the UK Alumni Association and our Dominican Chevening alumni;
• Assisting with advertising, events and fairs to promote the Chevening Programme;
• Organizing the annual Chevening interviews process.

POLITICAL (25%)

• Drafting the Daily News Brief;
• Assisting the Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission and Director of Communications with political research, analysis and reporting as needed;
• Making arrangements and logistical support for official visits;
• Supporting at Embassy meetings and events e.g. note-taking, logistical support or informal interpretation;
• Other support as required, for example preparation of Notes Verbale and official communications, courtesy translation of documents or drafting speeches and comments.

OTHER (5%)

• Other duties as required. As part of a small team, this role will also cover for the Director of Communications when they are away and support the wider work of the team as needed.

Resources managed:

• Event budgets

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent;
• 1-2 years of relevant work experience;
• Organisational, communication and computer skills;
• Professional experience managing social media platforms (Hootsuite, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), as well as developing social media campaigns and content for digital media;
• A deep interest in and understanding of Dominican Republic Media and Politics;
• Editorial skills with a sound understanding of writing for the web and engaging online audiences;
• Knowledge of social media trends and web publishing skills;
• Experience in planning events;
• Enthusiastic and creative self-starter able to work independently and as part of a team;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with staff at all levels of the organisation with a professional and courteous attitude;
• Language: fluent spoken and written Spanish and English;
• Must have the legal status to live and work in Dominican Republic.