HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS / Brasilia-DF


British Embassy

The British Embassy invites applications for this full-time position of Head of Communications for the British Embassy Network. We are seeking an experienced communications professional to lead, inspire and drive delivery of our communications work.

We are rapidly expanding our engagement with Brazil across multiple areas including; political ties, commercial activities, sports (including the Olympics), education, culture, sustainable development, global development and defence relations. Communicating our partnership with Brazil across these areas is a central role for the British Embassy Network.

You will lead the strategic planning and delivery of communications work in support of Britain’s engagement with Brazil. This will mean ensuring maximum impact of all our media activities, ensuring they help deliver on our overarching policy objectives. You will build this strategic approach in collaboration with colleagues in the network and in London.

You will inspire a team of skilled communications staff, encouraging creativity and enthusiasm including in times of high pressure. You will also need to inspire the wider network of staff, helping them see the value and opportunities in strategic communications work.

Multiple stakeholders both in Brazil and Britain will demand your attention. You will need to be able to both manage their competing demands and give them succinct professional advice.
You will be both a spokesperson for the Embassy and source of advice to senior staff on media engagement. You will be responsible for building strong relationships with senior journalists and editors.

The successful applicant will ideally have a university degree; a strong interest in international relations, a proven track-record of at least 10-years relevant experience in communications work including in front line journalism, management and campaign planning; an excellent command of written and spoken English and Portuguese. The ideal candidate will also have excellent management and communication skills, good attention to detail as well as being a strong team-player. It will also necessary to be flexible and able to deal with multiple tasks and priorities.

Main duties and responsibilities:

You will be required to:
  • Lead the strategic planning for the network’s communications activities including stakeholder engagement, campaigns and high level / VIP visits.
  • Identify and deliver new creative forms of engagement with the Brazilian media and wider public.
  • Manage a network team of communications officers.
  • Provide high level advice on media engagement to senior network officials.
  • Work in close collaboration with policy and delivery teams to ensure communications work support.
  • Ensure other British Government agencies work with Brazil is integrated into the overall narrative of Britain’s engagement with Brazil.
Monthly Salary: to be negotiated

Closing deadline for applications: 30 October 2011

Interviews will be conducted in English.

Please send CV and covering letter in English with two references by e-mail to brasiliahr@fco.gov.uk with the subject Head of communications.