Press and Public Affairs Officer

Job Description

The British High Commission (BHC) in Malta is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic, and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Press and Public Affairs Officer based in Valletta on a full-time basis.

Job Role:
Lead the British High Commission’s Communications and Public Affairs work and provide analysis of Malta’s media and press.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• You will plan and deliver the High Commission’s Public Affairs work in support of UK interests in Malta. Your core duties will include planning and delivering communication strategies for the High Commission, delivering our objectives, and increasing the local profile and impact of our work.  
• You will work closely with the High Commissioner, advising on communications opportunities at external events, and using them as a vehicle to publicize our work.
• You will manage the High Commission’s social media channels, providing analysis of impact and suggestions to further improve our reach. 
• You will have the chance to hone your communications and public affairs skills, from classic press handling to longer-term campaign delivery and audience analysis. There will be opportunities to assist or lead on your own projects to deliver communications goals.
• You will bring several years of professional communications experience, with a proven ability to create and drive content. The role will be varied and demanding, but rewarding and offer significant autonomy. You will need to be proactive and think strategically, and be a self-starter with the ability to bring different priorities and objectives together into a coherent narrative.  
• You will be part of the Political Section in the High Commission, which is responsible for all political analysis and policy delivery.  You will build relationships and work closely with all teams in the High Commission, leading internal communications within the mission. 
• You will be expected to take on at least one additional corporate responsibility to support the work of the mission and will lead High Commission communications during a crisis situation. 

Resources Managed (Staff and Expenditure): 

• You will manage a communications budget, currently 1000 Euros p/a.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:  

• Professional experience working in Communications
• English Language Proficiency
• Knowledge of Malta’s press and media landscape
• IT Literacy, especially in MS Office
• Agility and flexibility to meet changing demands
• Self-starter with the ability to work well in a team as well as independently
• Proven record of developing and delivering communications content and campaigns
• Excellent written communications skills
• Experience in photography and/or video creation and editing (or commitment to learning).

Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• Budget management
• Programme Management experience (or commitment to learning)
• Experience developing and using a network including at senior levels. 

Required Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture,
• Making Effective Decisions,
• Managing a Quality Service,
• Delivering at Pace,
• Communicating and Influencing,
• Working Together.

Application deadline:

• 26 March 2023

Grade:

• Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position  

• Full-time, Fixed term, with the possibility of renewal.

Working hours per week:

• 35 hours per week

Region:

• Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory:

• Malta

Salary:

• €2322.98

Start Date:

• 15 May 2023

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment:
Initial one-year full-time contract with possibility of extension. Normal office hours are 09:00 – 17:00. The gross salary for this position is EUR €2322.98 gross per month.

The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance.

All applicants should have the right to live and work in Malta. The British High Commission does not sponsor work permits. Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in Malta are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Maltese employment law.

Visa/Passport Requirements:
Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Malta and be prepared to ensure that the right remains throughout the scope of the contract. The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearance.

Additional information:
When completing the motivation field please make sure you present clearly and concisely why are you applying for the position. We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered. Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. FCDO does not pay for travel-related expenses incurred in interviews (including Security Checks) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or rescheduling costs. The FCDO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

*Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skills are going to be assessed.

Job Reference Number: MLT23.137

British High Commission:
The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organizational 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 categories protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.