View Vacancy – Political, Press and Public Affairs Officer

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission (BHC) in Port of Spain is seeking a dynamic self-starter for the position of Political, Press and Public Affairs Officer (Grade B3), on a two-year renewable contract basis. This is a demanding representational role that involves contributing to the delivery and public presentation of UK activity in Trinidad and Tobago. The successful candidate will: deliver the High Commission’s communications strategy and proactively manage all traditional and social media communications; provide high quality analytical reporting on local politics and the UK effort; inform and deliver on the UK’s human rights policy; prepare briefing for and manage the delivery of VIP and other visits including ship visits; engage with local civil society and international colleagues, representing the High Commission at high level events and meetings; and manage the UK’s prestigious Chevening Scholarship Scheme for Trinidad and Tobago.

Roles and responsibilities:

Communications

• Deliver the BHC’s communications strategy and run multimedia profile raising campaigns to boost the BHC’s profile and ensure the UK Government’s messages are covered in a positive way.
• Build relationships with the local media and proactively lead all traditional and social media communications for the BHC, including drafting and placing high quality OpEds and press releases.
• Provide daily media summary reports for internal and London colleagues.
• Work with other UK government departments, including the Department for International Trade, to ensure cohesive communications representing the UK government. You will be required to provide support on traditional and new media for activities hosted by other UK government departments.
• Lead on crisis communications, in partnership with regional colleagues, to ensure that emergency Consular advice is readily available to British nationals.
• Build relationships with regional colleagues to ensure cohesive region-wide messaging around the UK’s work in the Caribbean.
• Work with colleagues to support the effective delivery of high-level/key events, which are led by the Political and Economic Team, including roundtables, screenings and receptions (following any current COVID guidelines).

Policy/Political/Visits

• Provide regular high quality analytical reporting on local developments and on UK activity in Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on internal politics, security, human rights and anti-corruption.
• Co-ordinate the BHC’s effort to deliver UK policy on human rights, including working closely with civil society, academia and government institutions. This includes working with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure that key UK foreign policy objectives are met. This may require supporting event delivery in partnership with stakeholders and some project delivery.
• Engage internationally, representing the BHC at high level events and meetings.
• Prepare briefings for and lead on programmes for official and VIP visits. 

Chevening Scholarships/Commonwealth

• Administer the local Chevening Scholarship Scheme, including advertising and promotion, short-listing, interviewing and managing pre-departure arrangements.
• Support the development of the Trinidad and Tobago Chevening Alumni Association as an active force for good, and spot opportunities for members to support the delivery of UK objectives.
• Support the delivery of Commonwealth objectives along themes identified at CHOGM, including through engagement with various stakeholders and Commonwealth networks represented in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Support the delivery of activities to mark Commonwealth Day and other key Commonwealth priorities. You may be required to manage and deliver projects in consultation with the Commonwealth Team in London.

Any other tasks, in keeping with ability, may also be assigned from time to time.

BHC WILL PROVIDE:

• An official mobile is supplied to facilitate effective communication with colleagues and customers and costs should be maintained within mobile package limit. Corporate Services Officer to advise further. You will also be provided with an official laptop for the duration your employment.

This position is offered on a two-year renewable contract basis. The annual salary is TT$201,422 with eligibility for an annual performance related bonus. In addition, the BHC offers an attractive range of benefits including: generous annual leave entitlement, with additional leave offered for academic study and volunteer activities; health insurance extending to immediate family; a collegiate working environment in which every member of staff is highly valued and respected; strong recognition for achievement, including through the possibility of monthly and annual awards; and, among others, use of the BHC’s excellent recreational facility.

Candidates must have independent status to work and reside in Trinidad and Tobago. This requires the individual to be a citizen, have permanent residence, or be in possession of a valid work permit. Candidates must also be willing to attend occasional out of hours events.

Staff recruited locally by the BHC are subject to our Terms and Conditions of Service according to Trinidad and Tobago employment law.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Manage the delivery of the Library and Information Services Budget (allocated annually) alongside Chevening Alumni and Marketing Funds (also allocated annually). There will be ad-hoc budget management opportunities centred on specific priorities.

• A minimum of a first degree.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a demanding communications, media or similar role.
• Strong project management experience.
• A thorough understanding of local politics and interest in international human rights issues.
• Demonstrated networking skills, including the ability to build relationships in government, private and third sectors.
• Demonstrated communications skills, including the ability to draft high quality media releases and political analysis at pace.
• The ability to work on their own initiative and to work well with others.
• A high standard of integrity and confidentiality demonstrated by a proven record of accomplishment of excellence in a position of trust.