View Vacancy - Head of Communications - Ottawa

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 identity, 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 1 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory 1 Communications, Press and Media

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 1

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission in Ottawa is currently searching for their next Head of Communications. As the Head of Communications, the successful applicant will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for communications output of the British High Commission and Consulates across Canada (the Canada Network, or CANET) and managing - in part directly and in part through remote leadership - those communications.

To achieve this, the successful applicant will have strong experience communicating through traditional media, social media, and by using innovative tools of public diplomacy. They will also have a good understanding of Canadian audiences and the political environment in Canada.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Setting the strategic direction for all of the High Commission's communications and public diplomacy output across Canada as a central delivery tool for our country business plan. This will require close co-operation with the network of four Consulates across the country, and the full range of British Government departments represented in that network.
• Providing leadership to the media and public affairs team across Canada in delivering those communications through the full range of channels to selected audiences including decision makers, opinion formers, academics and the general public, including young and diverse audience. Setting the direction for that team for an ambitious digital output.
• Advising the High Commissioner and other senior communicators across the network on the communications landscape, particularly print and broadcast media, while understanding the Canadian social media landscape. This will necessitate maintaining a strong contact network of media contacts in Ottawa and across Canada.
• Keeping abreast of political developments in Canada and the UK and developing a familiarity with UK policy across the full range of issues on which the British Government works Canada, such that they are in a position to advise senior leadership how to handle managing emerging situations and getting important British Government messages to key audiences.
• Identifying and organising, with the broader team, innovative ways of communicating, including through communications campaigns, events and marketing opportunities to ensure BHC and CANET harness UK soft power to deliver maximum impact across our objectives. As part of this bidding for and managing project funding.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Line management of 1 Digital Media Officer
• Leadership of the communications network around Canada

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1

Essential on arrival:

• At least 5 years' experience working in communications, including traditional and digital media.
• Experience organising events including managing funding.

Language requirements:

Language: English
Level of language required: English fluency required

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1

Desirable:

• Experience with marketing.
• Experience with video editing, e.g. adobe.

Required behaviours 1 Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

2 May 2024

Grade 1 Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position 1 Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week 1 37.5

Region 1 Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory 1 Canada

Location (City) 1 Ottawa

Type of Post 1 British High Commission

Number of vacancies 1 1

Salary Currency 1 CAD

$7,450.61 monthly

Start Date 1 8 July 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment 1

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

Please note the salary is non-negotiable.

Learning and development opportunities:

The British High Commission places strong emphasis on L&D, with a range of formal and on the job training both specific to the role and more broadly related to all aspects of the work of the High Commission.

Working Patterns:

The British High Commission encourages consideration of flexible working practices requested by its staff. The British High Commission expects its personnel to work in the office 60% of time to encourage teamwork, innovation and shared sense of purpose.

Additional information 1

Must have the legal status to live and work in Canada.

Applicant is expected to appear in person for approximately 60% of the week, but working from home is permitted and encouraged when realistic to do so.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a 'reserve list'. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.