The British Embassy in Muscat is part of a worldwide network that represents the UK’s political, economic, security, and consular interests overseas. We are seeking a highly motivated and proactive individual for the position of Communications Manager, at the grade of Executive Officer (EO). This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking for a springboard to a future career in government or international communications.

The Communications Manager is part of the Political team. They will play a critical role in the transformation of our communications work, increasing engagement, and growing our presence with both traditional media (press, TV, and radio) and on social media. The communications manager will consult and work closely with all Embassy teams, particularly heads of section.

As the Communications Manager, you will advise the Embassy on the local and regional media environment, create content, and run communications campaigns. You will liaise with local and regional media outlets. You will ensure that our communications are tailored to reach and influence the local audience. 

Strong skills in social media and excellent proficiency in spoken and written English and Arabic are essential, as well as a developed understanding of how strategic communications can help deliver the Embassy’s objectives.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications Planning and Implementation (20%)

• Proactively design, run and evaluate impactful public diplomacy campaigns to deliver the embassy’s strategic objectives. Plan and deliver communications campaigns for visits of UK ministers and senior officials as well as major Embassy events and programmes.

Responsible for Embassy’s digital diplomacy and social media channels (20%)

• Collaborate closely with Embassy colleagues to generate and publish timely and innovative content in support of the wider communications strategy.
• Work with the regional (MENA) media hub and communications team in London to tailor key UK messages/content for an Omani audience.

Produce media reports and monitor the media (15%)

• Identify and analyse key stories in the local press, including social media, that have an impact on Embassy or wider UK interests.

Design and develop products (15%)

• Understand the UK’s policies and priorities, and develop communications products including newsletters, bulletins, videos, brochures, infographics, etc.,

Manage external relationships with Oman’s traditional and social media networks (10%)

• Main point of contact for the Embassy with Omani Ministry communication teams, local and international media.
• Develop relationships with key media personalities/social media influencers and identify collaboration opportunities.

Translation (10%)

• Provide written and verbal translation from Arabic to English and English to Arabic, as required.

Corporate Contribution (10%)

• You will support the wider embassy corporate agenda, including supporting in the planning and implementation of key events e.g., the UK’s National Day celebration. You will also be expected to take on a crisis planning and response role.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other responsibilities on an ad hoc basis, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens. 

Key Behaviours:

The candidate will need to demonstrate the following behaviours and the values of who we are during the interview:

• Seeing the Big Picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Our Values:

Wherever we work in the world, we share a set of values that guides our decision-making, sets standards for our behaviour and helps us deliver the UK’s national interest internationally.

These values are underpinned by the UK Civil Service values (Integrity, Honesty, Objectivity, Impartiality) and complemented by values all One HMG colleagues bring from their own department, service or administration.

• A confident and clear communicator with excellent communication skills in English and Arabic. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both verbally and in written communication.
• Knowledge of Oman’s government and political system, culture, media environment and society.
• An understanding how government communications work.
• Proficiency in a range of social media channels.
• Experience in using photography, videography and video editing software for professional media and/or communications purposes.
• Proven record of organisational skills, including the ability to create engaging content, to prioritise tasks and to work to deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, to prioritise and organise own workload and meet deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail and without compromising the quality of work, and to take the initiative as well as being able to work well with others.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).