Foreign & Commonwealth Office Hiring for DXB – Strategic Communications Officer (EO) Job at Dubai Full Time

The British Embassy Dubai has a vacancy for a Strategic Communications Officer for a fixed term contract of three (3) years.

This is a rare and prestigious opportunity to play a high profile role in the UK Government’s communications activity across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This exciting and varied role offers the right candidate the chance to gain experience of working at the heart of a high-performing international communications team.

The jobholder will lead planning of strategic communications for the UK Government’s Arabic Media Hub based at the British Embassy in Dubai. They will work closely with colleagues across the MENA and in London to develop creative and impactful communications campaigns and plans which support UK Government priorities in MENA.

The jobholder will also be responsible for producing campaign evaluations and insight into the MENA communications environment and audiences. They will use their expertise in evaluation tools, as well as analytical and research skills, to gather data and make recommendations which help the UK Government deliver more effective communications activity in the MENA region.

Finally, the jobholder will oversee management of the UK Government’s MENA Comms Network, ensuring staff benefit from lessons learned across the region. The jobholder will use their expertise to advise colleagues in the region on communications best practice.

The role will suit a highly motivated strategic communications expert who wants to develop their career by building international experience.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Work with colleagues in the region and London to design campaign strategies which are creative, demonstrate a strong understanding of MENA audiences, and secure high engagement across traditional and social media.
• Use planning tools to communicate clear implementation plans to colleagues, collaborating closely with the rest of the Arabic Media Hub team to monitor campaign progress and adjust the strategies as necessary to secure agreed objectives.
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations of campaigns and other traditional and social media activity, making use of evaluation metrics, benchmarks, and other data to give an accurate and detailed picture of comms performance.
• Identify knowledge gaps and either gather external research or produce/commission analysis to expand the UK Government’s understanding of MENA audiences and the regional comms environment.
• Build effective relationships and host regular meetings with a wide network of contacts across the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and other UK Government departments, as well as external contacts.
• Manage the UK Government network of communications staff by maintaining up-to-date records and relationships with Communications Teams in British Embassies across MENA; producing and sharing best practice and development resources; and organising specific events such as the annual MENA Communications Conference.

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

Key behaviours required:

• 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.
• Changing and Improving – Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.

• Holds a degree in Communications or similar qualification.
• At least 2 years’ experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating communications strategies and campaigns.
• Native Arabic language skills (reading, writing, speaking) and fluent in English (IELTS Band 7/ TOEIC 875 points or above/ CEFR B2 or above or their equivalent).
• Experience using the OASIS planning model.
• Extensive understanding of evaluation metrics and processes, including experience using digital analytic tools and software.
• Ability to analyse data, capture audience insights, and make evidence-based recommendations for improvements to future comms work.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to take the initiative and work pro-actively, using own judgment to make decisions.
• Creative thinker and digital savvy.
• Strong research skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills with people from diverse backgrounds. Proven ability to engage, influence, and collaborate with specialists in different areas and across teams.
• IT literate and well versed in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams).

• Experience working for an international organisation or foreign government or diplomatic mission.
• Familiarity with traditional media activity, such as liaising with journalists, drafting press releases and setting up interviews.
• Experience of producing and delivering social media content (e.g., text, visuals and videos) for key channels such as Twitter and Instagram
• Knowledge of and interest in foreign policy issues, including development and trade.
• Experience of presenting, delivering training, and designing training to be delivered by others.

The Embassy offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including: 25 days of leave per annum; on-site swimming pool, gym, and sports facilities (subject to COVID-19 restrictions).

Salary is at AED 14,059 per month.

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

Effective 01 January 2022, the Embassy will be open from Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 18:00. Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week (including breaks), and specific working hours for this role will be confirmed at a later time.

The successful candidate should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as there may be some work out of hours to meet business needs. Flexible working arrangements (e.g. remote working) are possible and will be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the Line Manager and in line with the Embassy’s policies.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy’s sponsorship.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and 2) a covering letter to their online application form. Please include any links to your online portfolio or to relevant samples of your work in your CV/ cover letter, if appropriate.

Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the required behaviours in the Behaviours Questions section of the online application form.

Applications that do not include these information will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 03 August 2022.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted. Assessments and/ or interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

The British Embassy Dubai is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.