Communications Officer Wanted at British High Commission

Main Purpose of the Job:

This is an opportunity for a dynamic and enthusiastic communications professional to join the fast-paced UK in South Africa Communication Team. You will support our efforts to creatively tell the story of how the UK is working with South Africa on issues such as gender equality, economic growth, global health, green energy and consular support, while showcasing the UK-SA people-to-people links across arts, sport, culture.

The British High Commission in South Africa maintains and develops relations between the UK and South Africa. We work together nationally, internationally and regionally, building strategic partnerships in important areas.

The successful candidate will be responsible for capturing good quality content at events (photos, video, interviewing/doing vox pops), collecting content on field visits to our projects, drafting communication strategies, handling journalists, writing press releases and social media posts for our digital channels and producing media reports to keep colleagues informed of current affairs.

This role is based at the British High Commission in Cape Town, making you our Cape Town communication representative, working alongside the core team in Pretoria but also with teams in London and across the region. You will need the professionalism and confidence to work directly with stakeholders, senior staff and high-profile visitors.

The job requires a positive, self-starter attitude with initiative and drive to build a network of influencer and media contacts. You must be an excellent team player, ready to support colleagues reactively and by proactively engaging with teams to support with comms, from concept to delivery.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Build relationships with local journalists, organisations, influencers
• Capture high quality photos and video footage at events for social media channels
• Support posting on social media channels when needed
• Collect case studies of our projects, conducting interviews with partners and capturing content to turn into powerful stories for media interest and digital channels
• Draft and issue press releases to media
• Liaise with media contacts to secure coverage
• Identify top relevant stories of the day and produce the daily media digest
• Monitor social media for breaking news and relevant stories, coverage, keeping colleagues around the British High Commission informed with relevant news
• Engage with colleagues across the High Commission to help them translate policy into powerful communication products
• Pull together evaluation reports of media coverage secured

Resources Managed (Staff and Expenditure):

• GPC cardholder, corporate credit card holder
• Management of subscriptions and budget for subscriptions, branding and communications products

Requirements:

• Media journalism/communications experience
• Excellent writing skills in English; ability to draft accurate and engaging content for social media with impeccable attention to detail to ensure editorial accuracy
• Positive, can-do attitude with a proactive approach to work – taking the initiative to engage with teams around the High Commission and offer creative ideas and comms support
• Have a keen eye for news and understanding of the South African media landscape
• Ability to produce and deliver communication strategies from concept to execution, and evaluation
• Good understanding of current trends, audiences and channels
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills to respond effectively to tight deadlines and changing priorities
• The ability to learn quickly and work with a high degree of autonomy, while working effectively as a team player. A great team worker and proactive problem solver who can work well under pressure and to short deadlines

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

• Photography/videography; social media production, graphic design skills
• Experience in social media monitoring and evaluation tools

Closing Date: 15th March 2024