Media and Communications Officer – LE5 – DFAT – London

The successful applicant will be engaged as a locally engaged staff member by the Australian High Commission, London.

Please be advised that the Australian High Commission, London does not provide relocation assistance and any costs associated with taking up the position would be the responsibility of the successful candidate.

About the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high-quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.

The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.

About the Position

The Media and Communications Officer is responsible for delivering the High Commission’s media and digital diplomacy activities under direction of the Head of Public Diplomacy and leads on communications logistics for major events, projects and high profile visits. The position sits within the Public Diplomacy section of the Policy and Public Diplomacy Branch of the Australian High Commission. The position manages the High Commission’s relationships with both UK media and Australian and UK-based Australian media. The position engages closely with key stakeholders to shape and publicise media coverage of Australian policies, strategic priorities and activities of the Australian Government in the UK and creates dynamic digital content to support the High Commission’s projects, events, activities and services. The position works closely with Post’s AUKUS Strategic Communications position.

The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Assist the Head of Public Diplomacy in the development, delivery, evaluation and reporting of the High Commission’s communication activities (media and digital) as guided by the public diplomacy strategy, to promote the Australian Government’s economic and security interests in the UK.
• Act as first point of contact for the media. Build and maintain a network of journalists, commentators, think tanks and other influential contributors to the media in the UK, and manage those relationships so as to enhance the coverage of Australian policies, priorities and activities.
• Provide strategic communications advice on the broad range of Australian Government public diplomacy interests in the UK (including foreign, defence, security, economic and trade and investment policy, sporting/cultural and science diplomacy). This includes monitoring media and working collaboratively within the public diplomacy team on the forward planning of communications activities surrounding events, projects and visits by Australian Ministers and senior officials.
• Shape media coverage of developing stories in the UK related to Australian interests by delivering evolving communication strategies (media and digital), including during a crisis. Brief media and respond to media enquiries and issues.
• Manage and create content for the High Commission’s social media and digital media presence, underpinned by a social media strategy. Provide advice and training to individuals at the High Commission on the use of digital channels.
• Plan and execute media events involving the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, senior officers at Post and visiting Ministers and senior officials as appropriate.
• Draft and coordinate briefings, talking points or speeches for senior staff ahead of communications engagements (events, media appearances and digital content), including for the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner and visiting Ministers and senior officials.
• Work collaboratively with attached Departments and Agencies at the High Commission, and in particular other officers in the Policy and Public Diplomacy Branch, in furtherance of the High Commission’s public diplomacy objectives.
• Work with other officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other agencies at the Australian High Commission to co-ordinate media activities and responses.
• Develop messaging to respond to general enquiries from the public, including drafting responses.
• Manage external communications service contracts, actively reviewing services and policies, identifying improvements and managing costs.
• Represent the High Commission at various events as required.
• Supervise the work of any relevant ad hoc resource (for example a social media intern).
• Undertake general administrative duties as required.

Qualifications/Experience

Essential

• High-level communication and analytical skills, including an excellent command of written and spoken English. Previous media experience is essential.
• Thorough knowledge of the policies, priorities and activities of the Australian Government in the United Kingdom, including those relating to foreign affairs, Defence and security, trade and investment, climate change, renewables and the energy transition and immigration policy.
• A sophisticated understanding of UK politics and public affairs, in particular insofar as they relate to the UK’s relationship with Australia.
• A sophisticated understanding of the media environment in the UK.
• Ability to work effectively with media contacts to generate positive media coverage.
• Demonstrated fluency and familiarity with core digital media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), including analytics. Experience developing and delivering digital campaigns is highly desirable.
• Strong technology proficiency in Mac/PC operating systems with fluency within Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Premier Pro) and familiarity working with content management systems.
• Ability to work well in a team, working collaboratively to deliver public diplomacy outcomes that support a whole of mission approach to Australia’s policy priorities in the UK.
• The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing competing priorities and projects independently. Excellent time management and organisational skills.

Desirable

• Prior experience in the UK media and communications arena.
• Experience managing strategic, political or operational outcomes taking into account compliance with Australian whole of government (and DFAT) communications policies and procedures and broader public diplomacy objectives.
• Experience in the communications arena with the ability to identify opportunities for government.

General Requirements

• Eligible to work in the UK.
• Australian Baseline security clearance or ability to gain and maintain the same. Therefore, applicants must hold citizenship of Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK or Canada to be considered.

Selection Criteria

In your written statements, you must include relevant high-level examples from your experience that support your claims against the role. The word limit is strictly 250 words per response. The panel will not assess responses which exceed the word limit.

A. Proven ability to create, execute and evaluate communication campaigns on a wide range of complex issues, make sound judgments and achieve outcomes as part of a small team.

B. Experience in communications and public affairs, including building and maintaining a strong network and developing relationships with political media and communications partners.

C. Excellent interpersonal skills including working well in a team and being comfortable working with senior level officials, politicians, executives, journalists and other stakeholders.

D. Demonstrated experience implementing digital communication strategies and the creation of engaging digital content for a variety of digital channels.

E. Demonstrated initiative and organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

F. Strong interest in and knowledge of foreign affairs, including Australian and UK bilateral relations and government policies as they relate to foreign, security, trade, economic and environment policy.

The Human Resources Section based in the Australian High Commission, London is responsible for managing all recruitment processes across the European region. To apply, please use the 'Apply' button below. Please direct any other queries to recruitment.london@dfat.gov.au.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees are valued. We appreciate the experiences, skills and perspectives of all individuals. We actively encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds who share our values.