View Vacancy – Head of Communications


The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Communications, Press and Media

Main purpose of job:

To shape and deliver a cross-government communications strategy for the British Embassy in Lima, positioning the UK as a partner of choice for Peru, ensuring a clear Global Britain narrative that emphasises our role as a force for good. The jobholder will be a communications consultant to HMA (and all senior staff) and be personally responsible for reactive media handling.

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

UK soft power is arguably our greatest strength and export, and this job is all about using that to its full potential.

This is a high visibility and high impact role at the heart of a multi-departmental embassy. The jobholder will insert him/herself into policy-making across the embassy to ensure professional coordination, management and execution of all our communications. The jobholder will join as the UK’s foreign policy (FCO) and international aid (DFID) functions merge into a new Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). He/she will be expected to ensure consistency of messaging across all government departments represented in Peru, including those working on trade, crime prevention and science & climate work. The jobholder will build a clear picture of the UK’s competitive strengths, helping to build on our positive reputation and position in and with Peru.

COVID-19 has refocused all of our efforts and the jobholder will be at the forefront of showcasing the UK’s work to address the pandemic. He or she also joins as the UK negotiates a future relationship with the European Union and partners across the world. It will be important to build a strong narrative around the scale of our ambition. The jobholder will be expected to bid-in to funding streams (e.g. the GREAT Challenge Fund) to supplement our resources and find new and creative ways to support policy objectives across the teams.

In addition, the jobholder will manage communications campaigns on cross-government priorities, including modern slavery, counter proliferation and freedom of expression.

The jobholder will report to the Deputy Head of Mission but serve as a personal counsel to the Ambassador, building her profile and presence through local media and exploiting opportunities to showcase our work. He or she will develop a communications strategy for HMA, covering both traditional and social media. The jobholder will also serve as Internal Communications Advisor, assisting HMA and the DHM in cross-embassy communications.

The embassy is active on social media and the jobholder will be responsible for this most public part of our work. He or she will develop multimedia content for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that draws a greater audience and profiles our priority work. He or she will also undertake or commission analytics work and prove their autonomous decision-making strengths in reacting to trends or feedback. Sound judgement will also be required in responding to complaints or criticism, where the jobholder will be expected to manage the situation, whilst also knowing when to escalate if required.

A strong network of contacts in media will be essential for delivery. The jobholder will also need to build strong links with Communications Directorate, British Embassies in the region and colleagues at other embassies in Lima in order to ensure maximum value and exposure.

As and when we are able to re-commence in-person events, event management will be a key facet of the job. The jobholder will demonstrate a knack for high impact visuals and a keen eye for detail in the development of events – not least our annual Queen’s Birthday Party – that showcase the best of Britain. 

The jobholder will manage one full-time Communications Officer and at least one intern, ensuring they have the guidance and direction needed to perform.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • 1 x A2(L) Communications Officer
  • 1 or 2x Intern(s)
  • GREAT Challenge Funds

At least 3 years in media, media relations or communications consultancy.

Language: Spanish and English

Level of language required: Fluent

Project management; audio visual editing; crisis management experience.

Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace




7 February 2021

C4 (L)

Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

Full time

Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean

Peru

Lima

British Embassy

1

$11,464




22 March 2021

The British Embassy in Lima prides itself on its approach to Learning and Development (L&D). We have an active L&D committee who share resources, ideas and opportunities for all. All staff are encouraged to carve out time for L&D and we have a central ring-fenced budget to support development. We also encourage job-shadowing and cross-team working. Staff well-being is at the heart of what we do and who we are. We have a Well-being Committee, run Well-being Weeks and share best practice and advice.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package.  This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in Peru in their own right.  The successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance and professional reference checks.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Due to COVID-19 we are unable to confirm any start date of employment but will continue to monitor progress and developments, and will advise applicants of any significant changes throughout the recruitment campaign.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Local Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.

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