British High Commission Ghana Jobs: Communications Team

British High Commission (BHC), has a vacancy for an LE2 Political and Communications Assistant.
This is a new position, working across the BHC to promote the UK Government’s engagement with Ghana and to help build internal BHC cohesion through a joined-up communications effort. The Communications Officer will work closely with all Heads of Section, reporting to the 2nd Secretary Political and Deputy High Commissioner

The main elements of the job include:

Updating and thereafter leading the delivery of the BHC’s communications strategy
Writing, commissioning and editing “content” on BHC activity for use in a range of media
Providing content for FCO corporate outlets (eg FCO website)
Pro-actively engaging with media houses and Ghana government publicity machinery
Acting as the BHC’s official spokesperson and first point of contact for media enquiries
Engaging with DEID and the British Council to project UK Government in Ghana
Overseeing all BHC media tools (eg media releases, web-sites, publications etc) including managing the BHC “photographer” role
Daily monitoring of Ghanaian medial outlets for content of interest to the UK
Supporting the internal communication of ECO and wider UK Government corporate messages
Managing relevant projects to develop Ghanaian media capacity
Information for applicants:
The monthly salary range for LE positions in the BHC is GH¢1, 780 (rising in increments of GH¢51 based on performance) to a maximum of GH¢2, 907
The starting salary will be determined by the successful applican’ts experience and skills, but will be in the range GH¢1, 780 to GH¢1, 985
The appointment will be offered initially on a 1 year contract, and subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period. Thereafter, the appointment will be renewed for periods of 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance, by mutual agreement

Required Skills or Experience

Prioritising in a fast-paced work environment, working largely unsupervised and delivering to deadlines
Creativity, imagination and innovation to keep the UK Government’s profile in Ghana freshm interesting and relevant to the modern bilateral relationship sought by the UK
Communication and influencing skills, including excellent drafting and proof-reading
Knowledge and understanding of the Ghana media and Ghana government publicity machinery
An understanding of the use of imagery
Ability to think strategically – to identify the potential for joining up different strands of activity between BHC teams and between the BHC, DFID and British Council
Ability to maintain high-level contacts with BHC staff and Ghanaian opinion leaders
The successful applicant is likely to have one or more of:
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 journalist, editor or public relations specialist
Membership of professional associations such as the Institute for Public Relations and/or Ghana Journalists’ Association
Expert knowledge of Ghana’s media, political, economic, social and educational environments, including key institutions and persons in business and government
Familiarity with UK Government institutions
The success applicant will need to:
Observe the Foreign and Commonwealth Officer’s diversity and equality policies
Show some flexibility over working hours
How To Apply

Candidates should send their applications and CV for the attention of:

HR Manager
British High Commission
P. O. Box 296
Accra

With the envelope clearly marked LE2 CO. Regrettably only those candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted in the period 12-16 July 2010. The successful applicant will be expected to start work as soon as possible thereafter

The successful applicant will need to pass (or have passed) an internal security clearance process.

More information about the work of the British High Commission in Ghana can be found at: http//ukinghana.fco.gov.uk/en/

The British High Commission Accra is an Equal Opportunities Employer