Job Description
Politics, Press & Public Affairs Officer
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Los Angeles, CA
Temporarily remote
$26.35 an hour
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Main purpose of job:
The British Consulate General is seeking an energetic, efficient and innovative Public Affairs Officer to join its Politics, Press & Public Affairs (PPPA) team. Based in Los Angeles, the Public Affairs Officer will work alongside the Head of PPPA to communicate with the media and the public in order to explain and champion British policies to the US audience through media relations, digital diplomacy, and strategic communications campaigns. The jobholder will also cover some government relations duties, building relationships with decision-makers and opinion-formers around the region on behalf of the UK in order to support political and economic reporting to the British Embassy.
The British Consulate General in Los Angeles represents the UK government in Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
Deliver a communications and press/media strategy for the Consulate, working in concert with the Head of PPPA Los Angeles, colleagues in the Department of International Trade and Embassy. Proactively build relationships with key media—print, radio/TV, digital—and manage press interviews and briefings with the Consul General and Embassy colleagues. Manage the Consulate’s social media accounts.
Ensure the Consul General, Los Angeles-based staff and Embassy colleagues have a good sense of news and major events within our states by providing verbal and written updates throughout the day. Managing other internal communications to ensure colleagues are informed about policies and goals.
Prepare concise background summaries in political and economic developments within the states in area of responsibility. Assist the Head of PPPA in building and maintaining relationships with key economic and political stakeholders within states in our coverage area;
Assist in the planning and coordinating of events and official VIP visits throughout Los Angeles’ consular region that support policy and public diplomacy objectives in collaboration with Embassy policy leads, counterparts in London, Department of International Trade, communications colleagues around the United States, and external partners. Draft briefing materials for the Consul General and official VIP visitors.
Manage the annual Marshall Scholarship selection process and outreach to Marshall Alumni.
Draft speeches for the Consul General, as needed.
Collaborate with other PPPA teams around the US, in particular with the PPPA team at the UK Consulate General in San Francisco that covers Northern California and with which Los Angeles works closely on pan-California events and outreach.
Providing support in all areas of the post’s work that includes Consular (assistance to British Nationals), UK Department for International Trade (DIT), Visit Britain, the British Film Commission (BFC), and Science & Innovation Network (SIN).
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
May include a seasonal intern and project based assistant
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
Bachelor’s degree in related field
2-3 years’ experience in communications or marketing, preferably with a governmental or international organisation or working in journalism. Digital diplomacy experience is a plus.
Excellent team-working and interpersonal skills, including experience of working with senior level executives.
Media handling skills including building relationships with journalists, and experience in arranging interviews and press briefings.
Strategic skills, confidence, and ability to interact face-to-face and remotely with senior staff and officials, consistently demonstrating understanding of what the UK Government is trying to achieve and promote.
Interest and knowledge of politics and foreign affairs, notably US-UK relations.
Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
Experience in using digital media in professional outreach
A demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and to deliver results.
Self-motivated and able to work independently.
An enthusiastic and creative mind-set.
Must be proactive and flexible, and a team player able to work in a fluid environment with changing priorities.
Experience of using digital media tools in professional outreach.
Required competencies
Changing and Improving, Collaborating and Partnering, Building Capability for All, Delivering at Pace
Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month Application deadline - year
3 September 2020
Grade
B3 (L)
Type of Position
Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week
40; Monday – Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. Occasional weekends and evenings.
Region
North America, Caribbean and British Overseas Territories
Country/Territory
United States
Location (City)
Los Angeles
Type of Post
British Consulate General
Number of vacancies
1
Starting hourly salary (USD)
$26.35
Start Date Start Date - day Start Date - month Start Date - year
19 October 2020
Other benefits and conditions of employment
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
Additional information
The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.
Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with US, state, and/or local employment law.
Individuals who are not a US taxpaying citizen will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
Due to COVID-19 we are unable to confirm any start date of employment but will continue to monitor progress and developments, and will advise applicants of any significant changes throughout the recruitment campaign.
Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Local Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.