Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media
Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.
The British Embassy in Lisbon is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Head of Communications. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced manager to lead the British Embassy’s Communications team. The jobholder will shape and deliver a cross-government communications strategy for the British Embassy in Lisbon, positioning the UK as a partner of choice for Portugal, ensuring a clear Global Britain narrative that maximises our post-EU exit potential. The jobholder will proactively identify and exploit communication opportunities, be personally responsible for reactive media handling in a crisis, and navigate challenging stories. Highly developed political antennae and a strategic approach to delivery are essential.
The jobholder will lead the communications team and line manage the Digital Officer. The jobholder will also play a role in the Embassy’s outward-facing activities, including digital and large-scale public events such as the Queen’s Birthday Party and the Web Summit to maximise their impact and showcase the best of Britain.
The jobholder will report to the First Secretary Political but serve as a personal counsel to the Ambassador, building his profile and presence through local media and exploiting opportunities to showcase our work. She or he will develop a communications strategy for the Ambassador, covering both traditional and social media.
Roles and responsibilities
- Shape, deliver and evaluate strategic communications for the UK government in Portugal: promoting a positive, dynamic and growing bilateral relationship and mitigating any negative post-EU Exit perceptions, demonstrating a good understanding of the UK and how to influence key Portuguese audiences. [40%]
- Proactively identity and exploit communications opportunities: develop strong relationships across the whole Embassy and within traditional and digital media to promote the UK’s broad agenda in Portugal, including public diplomacy and priority campaigns such as media freedom, modern slavery and soft power. To include identifying opportunities to work in partnership with local stakeholders to deliver shared objectives. [15%]
- Oversee an expanded digital presence: ensuring our channels are innovative, authoritative, creative and fully aligned with UK government priorities. Leverage existing communities, consider new channels and, with Consular section, handle post-EU Exit Citizens’ Rights issues effectively. [10%]
- Media adviser to Ambassador/embassy: develop connections with influential media outlets to ensure the Ambassador’s visibility and showcase the UK government’s agenda in a range of Portuguese media. To include media training, building capacity through sharing of best practice and coaching sessions. [10%]
- Crisis comms leader: prepare for and deliver high quality crisis comms, protecting the UK’s reputation. [5%]
- Management: manage Digital Officer and encourage their development, support delivery and foster a dynamic team atmosphere. [10%]
- Domestic politics adviser: monitor and report on developments, build and manage stakeholder network. [10%]
- Knowledge and experience of using complex communications activities to deliver specific objectives
- An established contact network within the Portuguese media (traditional and digital)
- Proven leadership and digital communications abilities
- Full professional proficiency in English, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*)
- Full professional proficiency in Portuguese, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*) able to draft at speed in both languages
- Personal drive, sound judgement and attention to detail
- Strong organisational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritise
- Strategic and creative thinking
- Flexible, resilient under pressure and decisive – with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines
- Willingness to work additional hours when necessary
- A college/university level degree in Communications or equivalent experience required
- At least 5-10 years of experience in a journalistic, public relations or communications post
- Client servicing experience
- Team management experience
- Community management experience
- Sound working knowledge of Portuguese politics and politicians
- An understanding of UK culture and a desire and interest in learning more about UK politics and its media landscape
- Strong IT skills, including excellent knowledge of Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and social media monitoring and insight tools (e.g. HootSuite)
- Political analysis and reporting
- Understanding of/established contact network with the main English language media based in Portugal (traditional and digital);
Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service
5 April 2021
C4 (L)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Portugal
Lisbon
British Embassy
1
3037,50
1 May 2021
The British Embassy in Lisbon has an active Learning & Development Committee which seeks to ensure that all staff have the tools they need to do their job effectively. There are plenty of opportunities to undertake formal training courses, work shadowing and other, more informal activities to support professional development. There is also a supportive regional network for communications officers, which provides specialist learning and development opportunities on a regular basis.
This is a permanent full-time contract (35 hours net per week) subject to a 240 day probation period.
The British Embassy in Lisbon aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role of €42,525.00 gross annual salary paid in fourteen instalments; plus a monthly meal allowance of €134.00. This salary is payable if the successful candidate is subject to individual income tax (IRS) in Portugal on the employment income in question. If the successful candidate is not subject to individual income tax (IRS) on their employment income in Portugal, and/or is not taxable elsewhere on such income, he / she will receive the above salary minus a reference amount approximate to the level of Portuguese tax that would be applicable if the income were subject to tax locally. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.
All staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Portugal are subject to local Portuguese employment law as well as internal regulations in force at any given time.
The successful candidate will be subject to a professional background and security clearance and must have pre-existing work authorisation for Portugal in order to apply.
All applicants should have the right to live and work in Portugal. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.
The Embassy will not consider applications from existing staff who have not successfully completed their probation period or, in the case of staff on temporary contract who have not yet completed two thirds of their contract.
Visa / Passport requirements:
Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Portugal 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 Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Effective operational proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning; can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes; can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.situations. For more information 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.
Please be advised 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.
Information due to COVID-19:
- You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;
- Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;
- Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.
To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /in your cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.