Press Assistant

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Department - Public Diplomacy and Communications
Location - Embassy of Ethiopia, 17 Princes Gate, London, United Kingdom

Type of Role - Contract, Full-time Position, 35 hours per week.

This post will require some weekend and evening work. Will be subject to probationary 3-month period.

Salary - As per Embassy Scale

Interviews will be held during the week commencing 18th July 2016

Start Date - ASAP

Job Description

We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a Press Assistant to join the Public Diplomacy team at the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in London.

This will be a fast-paced career opportunity where you will play an integral role in an action plan designed to improve the image of Ethiopia in the United Kingdom.

Job Purpose:

The post-holder is responsible for supporting, facilitating or leading different aspects of work of the Press Office in the Public Diplomacy and Communications Department. The Press Office is the epicentre for public engagement at the Embassy and is responsible for all media relations at the Embassy. The post-holder will be involved in activities including communications, monitoring, research, coordination, planning, reporting and administrative support to Head of Public Diplomacy and Communications Department and wider departmental team.

Job Scope

The post-holder will support the Public Diplomacy and Communications Department by maintaining the Press Office information and storage systems, monitoring the media and efficiently directing media enquiries to the appropriate person. You will also assist in researching topics and preparing briefing documents.

The department works closely with all the departments of the Embassy which include Trade and Investment, Tourism, Diaspora and Consular.

Accountability

The post-holder will be line-managed by the Head of Public Diplomacy and Communication.

Key responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities of the post will include:

• Daily monitoring of national and international press relating to Ethiopia and distributing press clippings to all staff
• Daily monitoring UK Parliament Hansard
• Dealing with enquiries from the press and general public, courteously and efficiently, passing on queries to the relevant person, as appropriate.
• To ensure the Embassy website is up to date with news, events and other documents.
• Updating and developing the Embassy’s online presence through social media outreach on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram.
• Producing, compiling and editing the Embassy’s monthly newsletter
• Developing news stories and press releases
• To assist in the design and preparation of online content and promotional materials
• To assist with the planning and execution of events as well as providing administrative and logistical support including the distribution of invitations
• Maintaining the press office databases and filing systems.
• To promote Ethiopia and the work of the Embassy to key contacts
• To provide any additional administrative support where necessary – In addition to supporting the Public Diplomacy team, you will also provide support to other departments around the Embassy

Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.

QUALIFICATIONS and competencies REQUIRED:

NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below.

Education:

A Bachelor's degree in international relations, politics, communications, public relations or marketing is required.

Prior Work Experience:

At least one-year previous experience working in a similar role is required.

Key competencies:

Excellent knowledge of current affairs especially matters pertaining to Ethiopian, African and U.K. diplomatic, political and economic affairs is essential.

Excellent verbal communication, writing and editing skills.

Excellent working knowledge of social media (Twitter, Facebook, Google +, Instagram) is essential.

Excellent IT and data management skills, including website management (HTML and CMS), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Publisher and Outlook) and design software (InDesign, Photoshop or related).

Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise and communicate with colleagues at all levels of seniority and from different cultures.

Some practical experience in a comparable communications post.

Strong attention to detail.

Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.

Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.

Ability to work to strict deadlines and under pressure.

Desirable Competencies

Working knowledge of Amharic.

Ability to draw on professional contacts, especially within the UK media and political environment.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates for this vacancy must submit the following for consideration of their application:

• Covering letter, no more than one side of A4, outlining suitability for the role. how you meet the above requirements
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Legal right to work in the UK

Submitting your Application

Please submit your application by email to pd.officer[at]ethioembassy.org.uk.

Please ensure documents are in Microsoft Word and/or Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Please quote reference PA-251-ETHin the subject. Interviews are expected to commence a week following the closing date.