Defence & Security Communication Campaign Manager, C4, New Delhi

 Commonwealth and Development Office

Defence & Security Communication Campaign Manager, C4, New Delhi

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

 

Job Category  

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory  

Communications, Press and Media

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)  

 

Main purpose of job: 

This is a role in the Campaigns team of the Press and Communications Group, which will manage the  Defence & Security communications campaign.  

The jobholder will be responsible for working with colleagues across the UK network to improve perceptions and raise awareness about UK-India collaboration. They will will set direction for the campaign by gathering insight, coordinating and implementing activity, and then monitoring and evaluating the impact of our communications.  

The role will involve access to and handling of classified or sensitive commercial information, therefore applicants must already hold a minimum of the UK’s SC level of clearance or be able to achieve it. Because of this, only nationals of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, EU and EEA are eligible to apply.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Role

As part of a vibrant and fun Campaigns Team of 8, you will lead on planning, implementing and evaluating the communications effort to promote our Defence and Security relationship. You will need to be a self-starter and proactively reach out across the wide range of government departments represented in the UKinIndia network, in particular the Defence Section, UK Defence and Security Exports team, and the Home Office. You will use this engagement to plan and deliver an effective multi-media campaign that makes the most of the rich and varied work taking place in India. 

The theme of Defence & Security will mean working closely with the UK and Indian Ministry of Defence – including the UK MoD press office, Department for International Trade, and Security policy colleagues, as well as journalists specialising in the defence and security sector to highlight how the UK and India collaborate closely in this field, e.g. on joint capability development, and bilateral military cooperation. Defence and Security is a top priority for the UK Government and there are a number of high profile activities planned over the coming years – your job will be to be pro-active and strategically bring these together into one coherent campaign, considering how you can use different media platforms to deliver an impactful message. 

The role will also be involved in communication issues on parts of the Home Affairs agenda - in particular security and justice developments and emerging stories.  

You will have overall responsibility for the campaign- bringing it to life, and working on everything from audience and insight development, key messages, to implementation and evaluation. You will be required to work in close collaboration with a wide team of policy leads across multiple platforms (there are seven Deputy High Commissions across India, as well as the High Commission in Delhi). You will also work with a range of communications specialists and journalists to deliver your campaign content. 

Specifically, the job holder will:

·         Develop and maintain a virtual network of policy and comms officials, to ensure a clear understanding of the activity at the heart of your campaign, find stories, and create up-to-date and compelling content.

·         Establish a network of media contacts in India to enable delivery of campaign messages, shape the narrative around UK-India defence and security work and strengthen perceptions.  

·         Working with key stakeholders, develop and maintain a set of key messages and focal

points for activity. Maintain a forward plan for the campaign, a campaign strategy and narrative.

·         Establish processes to gather audience insight and key perceptions to create a baseline against which to measure the campaign’s efficacy. Conduct ongoing monitoring to assess audience shifts.

·         Lead on production of content and stories linked to Defence & Security, on the links between India and Britain, to place both on UKinIndia digital channels, and in mainstream media.

·         Manage the production of suitable photo, video, stories and other material as input to UKinIndia and other digital channels produced by professional media service providers.

·         Engage closely with and contribute to the work of the communications teams across the seven Deputy High Commissions across India, and the British Council network. Taking into account regional aspects, language issues etc. in the delivery of your campaign activity.

·         Maintain flexibility, supporting colleagues working on other campaign themes, and take on project responsibilities outside of your core theme as required (for example during ministerial visits).

·         Contribute to internal communications for the High Commission network in India, and the rest of UK government.

The job holder

You will need to be proactive, organised and energetic. You will be working across different departments, and will need to quickly get to grips with complex topics, have strong communication instincts, and balance priorities. This role is about embedding a planned and evidence-based approach to communications (as much as responding to events), so you will need to able to take a long-term view and not be unduly influenced by what is immediately in front of you. Your campaign will have a wide range of stakeholders, so your ability to build relationships quickly and bring people on board both internally and externally will be key. You will need to have a sound understanding of campaign planning, and able to think creatively about how to tackle issues, change perceptions and get your audience’s attention. 

The British High Commission

The UK is one of the largest and more active foreign missions in India, and it represents the UK’s largest overseas network, with over 1000 staff and eight posts. The Press & Communications Group sits at the heart of this network, with frequent access to the High Commissioner and engagement with the 16+ government departments represented in India. Despite its size, it is a warm and welcoming team. The High Commission is committed to ensuring officers enjoy a good work life balance. It is a stimulating place to work where we value diversity and inclusion and care about the development of our people.

Resources managed:  

No direct line management responsibilities, although this may evolve over time. The successful candidate will have many opportunities to refine management skills through management of the virtual campaign network.

Language requirements: 

Language: English 

Level of language required: The jobholder should be fluent in written and spoken English. A written test will be included as part of the recruitment process.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

Essential on arrival:  

Excellent written communication skills, to be able to draft press releases, communications materials, and proof-read.

Security Clearance Level required:

Applicant must already hold a minimum of the UK’s SC level of clearance or be able to achieve it.  

Nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply: UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, EU and EEA

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

Desirable: 

·         Previous experience in media, public relations, or campaigning. Either as a journalist in traditional or digital media, campaign manager or in the wider communications field.

·         Understanding of campaign planning and experience in designing and delivering a campaign.

·         Familiarity with different digital platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp) and experience in generating digital content, working closely with photographers, video makers and others to produce material for digital media.

·         Experience working with Security and Defence personnel and/or in the defence and security sector.

Required competencies  

Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace

Application deadline  

5 February 2021

Grade  

C4 (L)

Type of Position  

Fixed Term, Full-time

Working hours per week  

40

Duration of Post  

24 months

Region  

South Asia & Afghanistan

Country/Territory  

India

Location (City)  

New Delhi

Type of Post  

British High Commission

Number of vacancies  

1

Starting monthly salary (INR)  

INR 110,484 per month together with 80% Security Allowance and Additional Allowance of 18% in lieu of Provident Fund and Special Allowance/Superannuation Fund

Start Date  

22 February 2021

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

The basic pay of INR 110,484 topped up with additional allowances:

·         Security Allowance of 80% of basic pay

·         18% of the basic in lieu of Provident Fund and Special Allowance/Superannuation Fund

A full breakdown of salary will be provided.

Additionally (if applicable) the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.

The following amounts may be deduced from your pay each month:

·         Notional tax at a flat rate of 20% of gross salary will be deducted by the BHC if you are not liable to pay local tax. This applies to all spouses and partners of UK-based officers posted to India.

·         Staff who are not spouses or dependants of UK-based officers are liable to pay local tax. In these circumstances tax is not deducted at source and staff must make their own arrangements to pay tax in accordance with Indian tax regulations.

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and 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.   

Around half of our work force is women.  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 FCO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

For more information and online application click here