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Location London or East Kilbride
About The Job
Job summary
The FCDO pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.
We are recruiting for enthusiastic, creative and motivated communications professionals to join the FCDO’s Russia Ukraine communications team.
The team provides communications counsel on all aspects of the Russia Ukraine conflict. Our activity is a top communications priority for the Foreign Secretary and HM Government.
The FCDO remains unwavering in its support for the people of Ukraine as they resist a brutal and unprovoked invasion, for as long as it takes. This is a fascinating and challenging role, working on issues of global significance. You would be at the heart of communicating the UK’s foreign policy agenda overseas and at home.
You will work effectively with policy officials, overseas FCDO posts, ministers’ private offices and special advisers to deliver high quality and timely communications products, including proactive and creative interventions.
You will support the delivery of proactive and reactive media moments and the development of strategic communication plans and strategies to reach new audiences – using a diverse range of tools and channels. You will contribute creative ideas and develop communications materials.
You will have a rare opportunity to work across breaking news stories, proactive and consumer PR evaluation and reporting.
You will report into a Senior Communications Manager and will be required to deputise where needed in their absence.
If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference to the world, learning new skills and pursuing a career in international communications this is the place for you.
Job Description
At FCDO we work to deliver the UK’s foreign policy priorities overseas and to tackle global development challenges. This role will be specifically on our Russia Ukraine portfolio, and we will expect a minimum of 2 years’ service in this post.
You will be responsible for:
- Developing and delivering strategic communication plans for the Foreign Secretary and other ministers, as well as media relations activity with both UK and international media.
- Developing proactive and reactive media handling and lines to take on announcements and emerging issues and delivery of high profile ministerial moments and briefing.
- Devising and developing creative ideas, products and materials for use at home and via our colleagues in our Embassies overseas.
- Building effective and proactive relationships with key stakeholders.
- Contributing to the delivery of our wider communications strategy.
- Where necessary, being part of the team coordinating communications for the FCDO’s response to global crises.
- Contributing data, advice and content to our insight and evaluation products.
Person specification
We are looking for someone with:
- Hands on experience of either media relations, strategic communications or other creative communications focussed roles.
- Great interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate and influence in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact on difficult and high profile issues.
- Excellent written and verbal skills, with the ability to convincingly plan and pitch communications ideas and advice.
- A proactive approach and a focus on continuous improvement of self and service, with an appetite to work with others to simplify processes and improve efficiency.
Desirable:
- Experience of providing clear and sound communications handling advice.
- Experience / knowledge of international relations.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £34,500, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £9,315 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension
Please note any move to the FCDO from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Candidates will be assessed using Success Profiles, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack at the bottom of this advert for additional information.
Application Stage
To apply please press ‘apply’ on Civil Service jobs.
You will be asked to upload the following on Civil service jobs:
- Your personal details. These will not be seen by sift panels.
- Your online CV
- A 250-word personal statement setting out your experience against the job purpose and roles and responsibilities and minimum criteria.
- Evidence of the following Civil Service behaviours (250 words max):
- Communicating and influencing
- Delivering at pace
- Working together
Applications will be sifted anonymously so please remove any biographical data that would identify you. You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online system.
Assessment
A panel will conduct an initial sift of applications. If a large number of applications are received the panel may decide to do an initial sift based on the first behaviour, which is Communicating and Influencing. Those that pass the initial sift will then be considered against the remaining criteria.
If selected for interview this will be arranged directly with the hiring manager. Interviews and additional assessment activities will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the Job Profile.
Interview process
Interviews may be held over Microsoft Teams
The Civil Service Behaviours you will be assessed on during the interview are as follows:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
You will also be asked to carry out a prioritisation exercise at the interview.
Feedback will not be provided for unsuccessful candidates.
After interviews
After the interviews a merit list will be created. Successful candidates will be appointed in merit order.
There may be other opportunities in the future. Candidates who meet the required level at interview, will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months. Should this, or another substantially similar role arise within this period, we may fill it with a reserve candidate from this campaign.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate will be asked to obtain the required security clearance (as outlined in the Job Profile) prior to starting in the role. Failure to get the required level of security clearance will result in the job offer being withdrawn.
Circumstances that may impact on obtaining security clearance:
Candidates with close links of heritage from the country/region where they are applying to work should be aware that security considerations will apply in relation to the FCDO’s duty of care to you (and your family), which may result in the FCDO needing to withdraw the offer of employment.
Applicants who feel any of the above may apply to them are advised to contact Personnel Security Team email [email protected] (attaching the job description from this advert and a summary of your concerns) who can explain any likely security clearance limitations.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window) . See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality Requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Rajveen Takhar
- Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
- Email : [email protected]
Further information
If you wish to make a complaint you should email [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the FCDO you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
