Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media
The British Embassy in The Hague is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is looking for a Communications Officer. This is an exciting and fast-moving job promoting the Embassy’s external communications effort across digital channels in support of our objectives.
The successful candidate will report to the Head of Communications and support the whole mission in the delivery of strategic digital communications in the Netherlands in line with UK government priorities. You will work with all Embassy teams and London government departments, and you will lead on the digital communication strategy, using evidence and analysis to drive forward activity. You will also help to deliver the Embassy’s broader public diplomacy objectives, including through targeted campaigns.
This role will provide a breadth of experience into a range of communications. It would suit someone who is creative whilst keeping policy objectives in sight. The successful candidate will be a confident and proactive person, having a proven track record and the skills to identify and engage a range of target audiences. Strong organisational skills, a flexible and cooperative team approach, and good interpersonal and communication skills are essential. The job will vary from day to day, so flexibility is an essential requirement.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Communications work
- Work closely with the Head of Communications and Embassy colleagues to understand the Embassy’s top policy objectives and identify, develop and implement digital communication campaigns, working with partner organisations where appropriate;
- Design and implement the Embassy’s digital channel strategy, working with Embassy colleagues and a range of government departments in London to ensure all digital channels are used effectively. Use data-driven analysis and evaluation to demonstrate the impact of digital campaigns and communications work;
- Produce, publish and amplify high quality digital content in support of these campaigns, ensuring all content published to our channels is engaging and impactful, of the highest quality, and adheres to UK Government social media guidelines;
- Monitor Dutch social media to identify emerging trends and issues that the UK should seek to respond to through our communications or policy approaches. Provide further social and political analysis of the Dutch media;
- Manage the day-to-day administration of Embassy’s official social media accounts and the gov.uk website. Provide advice to Embassy colleagues on effective (digital) communications;
- Act as deputy to the Head of Communications, including as deputy spokesperson in responding to Dutch media enquiries and as crisis press officer when necessary.
Public Diplomacy
- Design and deliver tailored communications campaigns based on Embassy policy priorities, drawing on a clear understanding of UK policy, and using a range of communications tools;
- Helping to deliver the Embassy’s broader Public Diplomacy activities, promoting UK – Netherlands relations and helping improve perceptions of the UK across all areas of Dutch society. Working closely with colleagues across the Embassy, and proactively identifying communications opportunities;
- Develop a full understanding of the whole range of work carried out by the Embassy and ensure (digital) communications carried out by the wider Embassy complement the Embassy’s bilateral strategy objectives.
Press Reporting
- Together with the other members of the communications team, provide daily morning summaries of the Dutch news. Analyse Dutch media sentiment on policy priority areas;
- Monitor Dutch government press conferences as required;
- NB: The press reporting task can dictate the core working hours. It requires the officer to start work early and to occasionally work out of hours, including during weekends.
- Full professional proficiency in English and Dutch * (C1 Level);
- Social and digital media skills;
- Ability to work independently and deliver results under pressure;
- Ability to grasp issues quickly and communicate them effectively;
- Time and quality management skills;
- Ability to work as member of a team.
- Experience or knowledge of working in an international (policy) environment;
- Experience working with (Dutch) media;
- Advanced experience of original content production (photo and video editing etc.).
Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace
1 August 2021
B3 (L)
Fixed Term, Full-time
36
12 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Netherlands
The Hague
British Embassy
1
3855.50
1 October 2021
The successful candidate will be offered a fixed-term employment contract for 12 months at B3(L) level. The base salary for this position is € 3855.50 gross per month, based on a working week of 36 hours. In addition, an 8% holiday bonus and a monthly working from home allowance are payable. Actual commuter travel expenses up to a limit or a monthly set travel allowance for commuter costs are payable depending on the role and how often office work is needed. The Embassy currently applies a performance based bonus pay model for local staff.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in The Netherlands.
The successful candidate will undergo a professional background check; Any job offer is also provisional to a successful security clearance check.
The Embassy encourages a culture of continuous learning. All employees have access to the Civil Service Learning platform which gives access to training to improve job specific skills. Employees are entitled to a minimum number of annual training days.
The British Embassy promotes and demonstrates the key values of Professionalism, Respect and Honesty.
Visa/work permit requirements: candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in The Netherlands and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.
Under the terms of the UK/NL Double Taxation Convention (Article 18 1(b)(ii), UK nationals who move to The Netherlands to take up their new role at the Embassy/Consulate and UKB spouse who start working at the Embassy with no previous record of working in the Netherlands since the arrival of the UKB partner they accompany, will be placed on a tax abated salary if deemed to be eligible for Dutch income tax exemption on their salary. Qualifying staff will have no Dutch tax levied on their salary and will therefore be paid a lower salary abated by the amount of tax they would have had to pay if that local liability existed. A tax abated salary ensures a fair and comparable take home pay. Staff on tax abated salaries cannot claim tax benefits in The Netherlands but they are fully and comprehensively covered for social security and deemed to be resident local staff for all intents and purposes.
The job description is subject to changes and may evolve over time and in response to changing circumstances. The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.
To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /in your cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.