The British High Commission (BHC), Accra has a vacancy, as Communications Manager within the Political and Public Affairs Team, to help deliver BHC Accra’s bilateral and regional objectives as set out in our internal Country Business Plan. The Communications Manager will support the BHC’s communications work, and the High Commissioner directly, to promote the UK Government’s engagement in Ghana and the region.

Main elements of the job:

•   Design and oversee a communications/public diplomacy strategy (including public advocacy campaigns) that helps to deliver HMG’s objectives in Ghana and the region. Engaging with HMG teams represented in Ghana, including DFID and the British Council, to project the UK in Ghana.
•   Propose and manage High Commissioner’s media engagement.
•   Build relationships and engage with media and government publicity operations in Ghana.
•   Act as the first point of contact for media enquiries.
•   Oversee BHC communications tools (e.g. publications, photographs) with a particular emphasis on building a substantial social media following.
•   Monitor Ghanaian media for content of interest to the UK, advise on any necessary response, and report to UK when relevant. Compile a daily news summary.
•   Contribute to political reporting from a media perspective.
•   Support the internal communication of FCO and wider UK Government corporate messages. Includes oversight of Sharepoint PPA section and notice boards.
•   Provide line management, guidance and feedback to one Communications Officer; and advice to other staff involved in communications work.

The Key competencies of this role include:

•   Demonstrating resilience: this is about helping staff to build resilience in international roles.
•   Seeing the big picture: having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs
•   Making effective decisions: being objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice, often at short notice.
•   Collaborating and partnering: ability to maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the High Commission.
•   Managing a quality service: being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account diverse customer needs and requirements.
•   Delivering at pace: focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

Qualification Required & Experience

The successful applicant is likely to have one or more of the following:

•   a university degree in journalism, media studies, the liberal arts, social sciences or a related field
•   received specialised training in press and publications and/or communications
•   membership of professional associations such as the Institute for Public Relations and/or Ghana Journalists’ Association
•   Experience in a similar position will be considered an asset
•   Knowledge of the neighbouring Francophone countries (Togo, Cote D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso) and good French language skills would be a major asset.

The successful applicant will need to:

•   Observe the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s diversity and equality policies
•   Show some flexibility over working hours

Salary:  GHc 2399.00 per month

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Information for applicants

The starting monthly gross salary range for this position is GHc 2399.00.

The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana, and to pass (or have passed) BHC internal security clearance.

Candidates interested in applying for this position should complete the attached application form , add their CV plus a cover letter to the Human Resource Manager at the address below:

HR Manager
British High Commission
Osu Link, off Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue
P.O. Box 296
Accra

with the envelope clearly marked Communications Manager  to: Jobs.BHCAccra@fco.gov.uk

Closing Date: 23 August, 2014

•   The subject line must read Communications Manager
•   The closing date for applications is July 4th, 2014.
•   Regrettably only those candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted.
•   Interviews will be conducted soon after.

The British High Commission Accra is an Equal Opportunities Employer

More information about the work of the British High Commission in Ghana can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/world/ghana