Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Communications, Press and Media

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy in Hungary is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is now looking for a Head of Communications and Events.

As Head of the Embassy’s Communications and Events team, lead and provide strategic direction for the UK government’s media and communication work in Hungary. Develop and implement an overarching communications strategy and work to create innovative strategies in support of key Embassy objectives. Shape public perceptions of the UK in Hungary and assist in delivering economic and political outcomes in support of the Embassy encompassing strategic communications campaigns, consular campaigns and commercial events. Manage and nurture a wide network of media contacts to ensure messages are placed correctly and as an Embassy spokesperson act as reliable contact for senior/key journalists.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Own and implement the Embassy communications strategy, ensuring communications campaigns remain aligned with and support delivery of wider embassy and country business plan objectives. Work to embed campaigns based approach to comms across the Embassy. Oversee design, development and implementation of key themed campaigns, engaging with and supporting policy and team leads across the Mission. (30%)

Media Work: Provide media handling advice to the Ambassador and wider Embassy, media handling of crisis and other issues as required. Lead on communications for high-profile visits and events, ensuring the appropriate level of media coverage promoting UK. Embassy spokesperson. (40%)

Develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders in the FCO, DIT and across the Hungarian media. Act as the main point of contact to journalists and proactively develop a strong network among journalists that can be used to help deliver Embassy objectives. (10%)

Oversee and develop the Embassy’s digital platform across all new media channels (Website, Facebook, Twitter, Flicker, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) and grow the Embassy’s social media audience among groups we wish to influence. Develop creative content campaigns which appeal to target audiences and deliver tangible outcomes. Identify and effectively use new social media platforms. Check and sign off all digital content. (5%)

Providing overall leadership and motivation to the Communications and Events team of 4 staff. Aspiring to deliver the best in-class service on media/press management, reporting, analysis, events and digital communications. Build capacity within the team through targeted learning and development opportunities (15%).

Resources Managed (Staff and Expenditure):

Line management of 1 member of staff. Counter-signing officer for three members of staff. 2 Public Diplomacy budget lines.

Essential qualifications and experience

At least 5 years experience of designing and implementing communications campaigns;
Knowledge of Social Media;
At least 5 years experience in Press handling;
Knowledge of the Hungarian Media landscape;
Understanding of the Public-Sector communication context and the challenges around delivering effective communications externally;
A clear understanding of how best to deliver policy objectives though the effective use of strategic communications;
Proven track record of credibility and poise under pressure;
Excellent command of English and Hungarian (both oral and written);
At least 5 years experience in managing a team;
University or College degree (preferably in Communications and/or Marketing);
At least 5 years work experience in a PR, media or related field;
Creative thinking and good problem-solving skills;
Good interpersonal, communications and negotiation skills.

Desirable qualifications and experience

Existing network across a variety of Hungarian/British Media;
Experience of working in an international environment.

Required competencies

Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace

Application deadline: 13 September 2017

Grade: C4 (L)

Type of Position: Full-time, Flexible working, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
Working hours per week: 35 Net

Country/Territory: Hungary

Location (City): Budapest

Type of Post: British Embassy

Starting monthly salary (HUF) 768,273
Start Date: 23 October 2017

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time position of 5 days (35 hours net per week) for 24 months (3 month probation).

Working hours are flexible and staff are entitled to time-off-in-lieu for extra hours worked.

The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance. You must have pre-existing work authorisation for Hungary in order to apply.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions service according to Hungarian employment law.

Additional information

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field "Application deadline".

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Source: British Embassy Budapest