Senior Media Officer For The British Embassy in Cairo 2016

Position: Senior Media Officer

Grade:     C4 (L)

Location: Cairo

Contract: One Year

Report to: Head of Communications

The British Embassy in Cairo is looking for an outstanding new Senior Media Officer.  This is a unique and exciting opportunity to help shape the UK’s relationship with Egypt.  The successful applicant will be responsible for creative design and effective delivery of communications that support our goals, and the British Government’s relationships with the media in Egypt.  The British Embassy offers a fantastic working environment, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, camaraderie and many opportunities for professional and personal growth.  Join us!

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Strategy

Contribute to the design and development of the “UKinEgypt” communications strategy to improve the perception of the UK in Egypt and support the achievement of UK Government objectives in Egypt.

Delivery

Successfully deliver the UKinEgypt communications strategy and other UK Government communications priorities in Egypt. This will involve:

Designing innovative communications campaign plans; developing, maintaining and communicating an organised forward agenda for the Embassy.

Delivering effective campaigns using a full range of Embassy communications, including:

Producing press releases

Drafting opinion articles for the media

Preparing media interviews for the Ambassador and other senior officials, and providing pre-interview preparation and advice.

Hosting Embassy events and press briefings

Overseeing creative digital media output

Monitoring and evaluating the impact of UKinEgypt communications activities, and making recommendations for delivery on this basis. Learning from, promoting and sharing best practices with UK Government partners in the region and in London.

Effective co-ordination with UK Government partners in the British Embassy in Cairo, in London, and through the Middle East and North Africa region.

Supporting the Embassy’s wider political work, analysis and reporting through high-quality advice to the Ambassador and senior officials about media perceptions of UK/Egyptian policy, and the media environment in Egypt. 

Management

Line manage and oversee the work of the Embassy’s Digital Diplomacy officer.  This will involve: monitoring that officer’s work, setting clear objectives, tasks and deadlines; providing direction, coaching, support and advice as necessary; guiding their professional and skills development; responsibility for appraising their work in line with embassy standards and guidelines.

Networking

Expand and develop UKinEgypt’s media network, including journalists, opinion writers, TV personalities and producers, prominent social media figures.  Cultivate relationships that facilitate effective delivery of communications campaigns and present new, creative opportunities.

Additional duties

For the Embassy and London colleagues, produce a daily summary of top stories, trends, and important developments in Egyptian media and social media (working with the Digital Diplomacy officer).

Respond to media enquiries from media and members of the public.

Deputise for the Head of Communications and cover the Digital Diplomacy officer during periods of absence.

Provide translation services for communications content when required in exceptional circumstances (e.g. urgency or sensitivity).

Improve the Embassy as a place to work through active contribution to the Embassy’s corporate agenda and its ethics of professionalism, teamwork and respect

Core Competences:

Seeing the Big Picture: 

Seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs. For all staff, it is about focusing your contribution on the activities which will meet UK Government goals and deliver the greatest value. For leaders, it is about scanning the political context and taking account of wider impacts to develop long term implementation strategies that maximise opportunities to add value and support economic, sustainable growth.

Delivering at Pace:

Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. For all staff, it’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. For leaders, it is about building a performance culture where staff are given space, authority and support to deliver outcomes. It’s also about keeping a firm focus on priorities and addressing performance issues resolutely, fairly and promptly.

Making Effective Decisions: 

Effectiveness in this area is about using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to arrive at accurate, expert and professional decisions and advice. For all staff, it’s about being careful and thoughtful about the use and protection of government and public information to ensure it is handled securely and with care. For leaders it’s about reaching evidence

based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions and creating a secure culture around the handling of information. They will aim to maximise return while minimising risk and balancing a range of considerations such as social, political, financial, economic, legal and environmental to provide sustainable outcomes.

Collaborating and Partnering:

People skilled in this area are team players who create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside Government to help get business done. At all levels, it requires working collaboratively, sharing information appropriately and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. For senior leaders, it’s about being approachable, delivering business objectives through creating an inclusive environment, encouraging collaboration, building effective partnerships including relationships with Ministers and welcoming challenge however uncomfortable.

Key Selection Criteria:

Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic are essential.

Effective communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Strong political judgment.

Ability to work well within a team, flexibly, and to tight deadlines.

Ability to manage, coach and develop others

Minimum 3 years of professional working experience

Experience working in a press or communications role, especially in a medium-to-          large organisation, is desirable but not essential.

Remuneration:

The British Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package. The gross salary for this position is LE 19, 770 per month inclusive of all allowances. The salary is subject to tax as per the usual regulations based on a 36-hour working week.

To Apply:

All applicants should submit the following to: britishembassycairovacancies@fco.gov.uk  no later than: 29 February 2016

An updated Curriculum Vitae

 A covering letter stating why you feel you have the necessary skills to perform well in the above role.

Successful applicants will then be invited for a written test and interview at the British Embassy

Due to the large amount of applications we receive only those shortlisted for assessment will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

The British Embassy in Cairo is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staffs recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Egypt employment law.