Communications and Public Diplomacy Adviser - LE5

amrislive.com

Government of Australia

Job Ref:

48

Job Title:

Communications and Public Diplomacy Adviser - LE5

Location:

London

Salary:

40,867

Closing date:

24th November 2017

Job Description

Contract: Permanent
Full Time: 36.75 hours per week

Starting Salary: £40,867 per annum 
Security Assessment: Baseline

Applications are sought from persons interested in employment at the Australian High Commission in London as Locally-Engaged Staff. Employment at the High Commission, London is conditional on the relevant authorities granting permission for you to enter, work and remain in the UK to work for the High Commission. The High Commission does not provide visa sponsorship and it will be your responsibility to obtain and continue to hold the requisite work permit/visa.

About the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.

The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.

About the Position

The Communications and Public Diplomacy Adviser for the Australian High Commission in the United Kingdom is a key member of the Public Diplomacy Branch. The Communications Adviser is responsible for delivering the High Commission’s media and digital media strategy  to promote the Australian Government’s interests in the United Kingdom.

The Communications and Public Diplomacy Adviser will work with various High Commission and cross-government departments to help gain positive media coverage of Australia in the UK and to create dynamic digital content to support the High Commission’s project, events, activities and services.

The Communications and Public Diplomacy Adviser will lead on communications logistics for major events, projects and visits by Australian ministers and senior officials. The Communications & Public Diplomacy Adviser will also support the High Commission’s wider public diplomacy objectives, working on a variety of events and projects.

The key responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:

• Assist in the development and lead on the delivery, evaluation and reporting of the High Commission’s communication strategy (media and digital) to promote the Australian Government’s interests in the UK.
   
• Provide strategic communications advice on the broad range of Australian Government public diplomacy interests in the UK (including foreign and trade policy, economic/sporting/cultural and science diplomacy). This includes monitoring media and the forward planning of communications activities surrounding events, projects and visits by Australian ministers and senior officials.
   
• Act as the first point of contact for the media and develop and maintain productive relationships with UK and Australian media to promote Australian Government interests in the UK.
   
• Demonstrate the ability to spot and proactively make the most of communications (media and/or digital) opportunities.
   
• Manage breaking stories to deliver evolving communication strategies (media and digital), including during a crisis.  Brief media and respond to media enquiries and issues.
   
• Manage and create all content for the High Commission’s digital channels. Provide advice and training to individuals at the High Commission on the use of digital channels.
   
• Coordinate effectively, and work collaboratively with other Australian Government departments, partner agencies and additional key stakeholders to deliver the High Commission’s public diplomacy objectives. 
   
• Draft and coordinate briefing, talking points or speeches for senior staff ahead of communications engagements (events, media appearances, and digital content), including for the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner and visiting ministers and officials.
   
• Represent the High Commission at various events as required.
   
• Maintain a good working knowledge of current Australian and UK government policies, including those relating to foreign affairs, security, trade, immigration and environment policy.
   
• Develop messaging to respond to general enquiries from the public, including drafting responses.
   
• Undertake general administrative duties as required
• Manage external communications service contract(s). This involves pro-actively reviewing services and policies, identifying improvements and managing costs.
   
• Supervise the work of any relevant ad hoc resource (for example a social media intern)

Qualifications/Experience

• Demonstrated experience in communications and digital media.
   
• A track record of working effectively with the media, generating positive media coverage and examples of self-generated media placements.
   
• Demonstrated fluency and familiarity with core digital media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), including analytics. Experience developing and delivering digital campaigns is highly desirable. 
   
• Strong technology proficiency in Mac/PC operating systems with fluency within Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Premier Pro) and familiarity working with content management systems.
   
• High level communication and analytical skills.
   
• The ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
   
• Experience managing competing priorities and projects independently. Excellent time management and organisational skills.
   
• Experience managing strategic, political or operational outcomes taking into account compliance with Australian whole of government (and DFAT) communications policies and procedures and broader public diplomacy objectives desirable.
   
• Experience in the communications and negotiating arena with the ability to identify opportunities for government.
   
• A keen interest in Australia and international affairs.
   
• A proactive and flexible team player who able to work in a fluid environment with changing priorities.
   
• Ability and interest in attending and staffing occasional evening and weekend events and receptions. Occasional regional travel may be required.
   
• The ability to obtain an Australian Government security clearance is highly desirable.

SELECTION CRITIERA

Please address each of the selection criteria for the role in the spaces provided on the application form.  Drawing on your prior experience, please provide examples of where you have demonstrated the required competencies or transferable skills.   

The word limit is strictly 250 words per response.  The panel will not assess responses that exceed the word limit.

A. Proven ability to create, execute and evaluate communication campaigns on a wide range of complex issues, make sound judgments and achieve outcomes as part of a small team.

B. Demonstrated experience implementing digital communication strategies and the creation of engaging digital content for a variety of digital channels.

C. Experience in communications and public affairs, including building and maintaining a strong network and developing relationships with media and communications partners.

D. Demonstrated initiative and organisational skills, and ability to manage competing priorities.

E. Excellent team working, interpersonal and people management skills including experience working with senior level officials, politicians, executives and other stakeholders.

F. Strong interest in and knowledge of foreign affairs, including Australian and UK bilateral relations and government policies as they relate to foreign, security, trade, economic and environment policy.

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