British High Commission
tendersglobal.net
View Vacancy – Head of Communications, Grade – G7, Dhaka
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Communications, Press and Media
Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Main purpose of job:
The successful applicant will lead the Press and Communications Unit (PCU) of the British High Commission Dhaka. PCU is responsible for the UK Government’s external communications in Bangladesh, and for supporting delivery of the UK Government’s strategic priorities in Bangladesh and in the region. You will provide strategic direction for all communications activity across the High Commission, ensuring that communication objectives are embedded in all policy and programme areas. You will lead your team to design and deliver creative, multi-channel communication campaigns to increase and leverage UK reach and influence in Bangladesh. You will build and maintain relationships with a wide variety of media and external stakeholders, and you will faithfully represent UK values and UK Government policy in external engagements.
We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
As a senior officer in the British High Commission, you will be expected to role model UK values and contribute to establishing a supportive and inclusive work environment for all. You will help to set overall direction for the mission’s work and be expected to shape, promote and lead change. You will manage and provide leadership to a team of eight, ensuring your team’s work supports delivery of the UK Government’s strategic priorities for Bangladesh. Specifically, you will:
- lead the communication function across the British High Commission, with ownership of and responsibility for delivery of a cross-mission communications strategy.
- lead the Press and Communications Unit, building knowledge, skills and capacity so the team can deliver a professional and consistently high-quality service to all parts of the mission.
- drive a creative approach to engagement and partnerships with traditional and new media, and deliver strategic, multi-channel communications campaigns.
- streamline communications into policy and planning, through advocacy and learning.
- own relationships with high-level stakeholders across media, business, politics and civil society and use these to deliver influence and access for the High Commission.
- provide expert advice and guidance to senior leaders, including the High Commissioner, and ensure they are well-equipped for media engagements.
- oversee the production and quality assurance of all communication content.
- oversee a high-quality media monitoring service, providing timely insight and analysis for colleagues in the High Commission and in the UK; spotting developing stories and interpreting them against an understanding of the UK’s work in Bangladesh; and contributing to internal policy discussions.
As a leader, you will:
- take a keen interest in the wellbeing of your staff, ensuring your team members have realistic but stretching goals and investing in their learning and development so they achieve their full potential.
- work flexibly to support colleagues across your team and across the wider mission, providing cover to the Deputy Head of Communications in their absence and to other teams as required.
Within the British High Commission team structures and specific roles and responsibilities are subject to change depending on the UK Government’s priorities in Bangladesh. The successful applicant will therefore need to be flexible in adapting to any changes that are needed in the precise objectives and responsibilities of the role over time.
Who are we looking for?
You will have a minimum of ten years’ experience in a similar or related role, including at least five years leading a team as a senior manager.
You will have designed and delivered communication strategies and evaluated their effectiveness. You will have an excellent understanding of popular and emerging social media and visual communication. You will have experience of providing expert communication guidance, advice and training to senior managers. You will be a confident public speaker and have experience of representing your organisation to external stakeholders.
You will have an excellent understanding of the media landscape in Bangladesh, and of the country’s political, socio-economic and development issues. You will be able quickly to develop a detailed understanding of the UK’s priorities in Bangladesh – including in prosperity, security, development, immigration and consular issues – and be able to communicate these faithfully and accurately, verbally and in writing.
You will bring established relationships with journalists across Bangladesh, and will have experience in securing interviews, placing op-eds and negotiating media partnerships.
You will be an excellent communicator – skilled at tailoring your message to different audiences. You will be able to distil complicated concepts into simple language and convey your key messages succinctly. You will be able to communicate fluently in both English and Bengali, and will be confident at providing near-simultaneous interpretation in both languages. You will produce high-quality written work in both English and Bengali, to short deadlines.
You will have excellent interpersonal skills. You will be able to build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders; you will have experience of managing and developing staff; and you will be willing to participate fully in the corporate life of the High Commission.
You will be agile and able to respond quickly to breaking news or changing priorities in a crisis, whilst maintaining focus on the team’s longer-term goals. You will be calm and able to maintain your composure under pressure. You will be dynamic and creative – encouraging the team to come up with new ideas and motivating your team to deliver a consistent level of high-quality work.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
The Communication Section is currently being reviewed and restructured so management responsibilities are subject to change. The Head of Communications currently manages a team of six, with line management responsibility for two officers. The position is also responsible for all team expenditure.
Language requirements:
Language: English and Bengali
Level of language required: Fluent in reading, writing and speaking both languages.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
- The British High Commission provides a regular programme of training and development opportunities to all staff, including both formal and informal training and courses.
- Training for the successful candidate will be agreed depending on their existing skills and experience. There may be a requirement to attend training in the UK.
- The successful candidate will become a member of the UK’s Government Communication Service which provides ongoing support and professional development.
Working patterns:
- Flexible working hours and some days working from home are possible, in agreement with the position’s line manager.
- Given the nature of the role, there is an occasional requirement for some evening and weekend working, for which time off will be given in lieu. Where possible, this work is balanced and shared across the team.
- Requests for specific working patterns can be considered.
Essential on arrival:
- A degree in political sciences, communications, media, journalism, international relations, development studies, English; or equivalent professional experience.
- Minimum of ten years’ experience working in strategic communications.
- Extensive experience of managing a team and delivering a high-quality service.
- Established relationships with journalists and media outlets across Bangladesh.
- Proven experience designing and delivering strategic multi-channel communication campaigns.
- Proven experience of delivering high-quality press engagement including: developing press lines and writing press releases; placing op-eds and interviews; securing media attendance at events; and negotiating media partnerships.
- In-depth understanding of Bangladesh’s socio-economic and political issues.
- In-depth knowledge of Bangladesh’s traditional and social media landscapes, online and offline media trends, and visual communication.
- Ability to communicate fluently in written and spoken English and Bengali.
- Ability to accurately translate to and from English and Bengali.
- Strong proofreading and copy editing ability.
Desirable:
- Professional experience working in a diplomatic mission or other international organisation.
- Experience of crisis communications.
- Financial management.
- Knowledge of graphic design; video editing; photography and videography.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Developing Self and Others
22 February 2024
Grade 7 (G7)
Full-time, Permanent
36
South Asia & Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Dhaka
British High Commission
1
BDT 329,411
1 March 2024
For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
For other than BHC candidates, salary range will be all inclusive BDT 329,411 per month.
The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package, including salary, benefits, a leave entitlement, Health Insurance and relevant L&D opportunities.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.
We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.
Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the behavioural based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
To Apply:
Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered. Point (c) to be adhere strictly.
a) Complete the Online Application Form.
b) Complete the Experience, Behaviours, Technical/Professional skills-based segment in the Online Application Form.
c) Applicants need to answer the questions based on their professional experience. Kindly refrain from use of AI based tools to avoid application from getting rejected/disqualified.
Internal candidates applying for this position need to inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.
We will accept only online applications by 22 February 2024 till 23:55 (Dhaka time)
Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission.
Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and no telephone enquires will be dealt with. Basis the scores, the candidate/s who did not score as highly as the successful candidate, might be placed on the reserve list. If during the reserve period of 6 months, the same or largely similar role becomes available, the role may be offered to the second or subsequent appointable candidates.
The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.
We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.
Dhaka
To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
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