The British High Commission maintains good diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh.
Vacancy: 1
Vacancy Type: British High Commission
Start Date: 1 April 2021 (Tentative)
Main Purpose of Job
- The successful applicant will manage the UK Government’s relations with the Bangladeshi media and will be the British High Commission’s official Bengali spokesperson and principal interpreter. You will analyse media trends and provide timely insights and reporting.
- You will work with colleagues across the High Commission to ensure they have a good understanding of how to use communications in their work; and
- you will design strategic, multi-channel communications campaigns to help deliver the High Commission’s objectives in Bangladesh.
- You will provide leadership to the Press and Communications Unit and cover the role of Director of Communications in her absence.
Job Responsibilities
- This is a key leadership role in one of the High Commission’s core teams – you will be representing the High Commission to external stakeholders, to the media and to the public, whilst enabling other teams in the High Commission to deliver their objectives. With the Director of Communications, you will be responsible for establishing the culture of the team, and for setting PCU’s strategic direction. As a line manager, you will be expected to take a keen interest in the wellbeing of your staff and to invest in their learning and development so they can achieve their full potential. (20%)
- You will lead on media handling, nurturing the High Commission’s relationships with key stakeholders in the British-Bangla media networks both inside and outside Dhaka; and you will be responsible for identifying and establishing new media partnerships across a variety of outlets and locations, ensuring that the High Commission can reach the widest possible range of audiences. You will also need to build and maintain relationships across other diplomatic missions, businesses, NGOs and INGOs. You will need to quickly develop a detailed understanding of the UK’s priorities in Bangladesh – including in prosperity, security, development, immigration and consular issues – and be able to explain these faithfully and accurately in your interactions with the media. (30%)
- With the staff you manage, you will be responsible for producing daily media monitoring for colleagues in the High Commission and in the UK. You will monitor and analyse media trends, including spotting developing stories and interpreting them against an understanding of the UK’s work in Bangladesh. You will be responsible for producing press lines, press releases and social media content. You will proactively lead on planning tactical communications activities, including for high-profile visits or events, as well as developing and delivering an overarching communication strategy for the High Commission. (30%)
- You will contribute to policy discussions with teams across the High Commission, feeding in the perspective of media stakeholders but also providing your analysis of the communications impact of different programmes of work. You will provide written and verbal advice to senior members of the High Commission and to visiting UK Government Ministers, and you will prepare them for their media engagements, including through written briefing and through practical exercises. (20%)
- 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.
Line Manager for 1 x Press and Communications Officer and 1 x Press and Communications Assistant.
- Countersigning Officer for 1 x Digital and Campaigns Manager.
- Budget Manager for the Press and Communications Unit.
Employment Status: Full-time
Working Hours: 36 hours per week 5 days a week
Workplace: Work at office
Educational Requirements
- · A degree in political sciences, communications, media, journalism, international relations, development studies or English; or equivalent professional experience.
Experience Requirements
- Minimum of five years’ experience developing and delivering integrated communication strategies, including working with senior media stakeholders.
- Good understanding of Bangladesh’s socio-economic and political issues.
- Good knowledge of Bangladesh’s media landscape, stakeholders and trends.
- Existing professional relationships with key Bangladeshi journalists and media outlets.
- Ability to communicate fluently in written and spoken English and Bengali.
- Professional experience of providing English-Bengali and Bengali-English interpretation.
- Experience of budget management.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
- Professional experience working in a diplomatic mission or other international organisation.
- Experience in managing a team.
- Experience in public speaking.
- Graphic design and digital editing skills, including video and photography.
- Understanding of visual design principles.
- Experience in instructing and working with design agencies.
Required competencies
- Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace
Job Location: Dhaka
Salary: BDT 161,379
Compensation and Other Benefits
- 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 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 FCO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.
Application Deadline: 16 February 2022
Application Link:
Apply through bdjobs here - https://cutt.ly/dOF9mnF
Alternatively, apply through the official British Commission website here - https://cutt.ly/YOF9IDQ
Remember to go through the entire application document first for further important details.
Further Information:
To learn more about the British High Commission, visit this link - https://cutt.ly/5OF9K9i
