View Vacancy – Development and Communications Officer (04/24 ABI)

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Abidjan is part of the worldwide UK diplomatic network representing British political, economic, development, and consular interests overseas.

We are looking to recruit a dynamic, collaborative individual as our new Development and Communications Officer.

Working closely with the Deputy Head of Mission/Development Counsellor and the Second Secretary Development and Public Diplomacy, this role works flexibly on a range of development issues at the Embassy, including climate change, and women and girls, as well as building positive UK-Côte d’Ivoire bilateral relations and raising the profile of the Embassy’s work at local and national levels.

The successful candidate will need to have:

• a passion for supporting sustainable development and tackling climate change
• strong organisational and programme management skills
• strong drafting, team-working and communication skills
• a commitment to providing value for money
• the ability to plan and work well independently. 

Roles and responsibilities:

The post-holder will have responsibility and autonomy, reporting to the Second Secretary Development and Public Diplomacy and working closely with the Deputy Head of Mission/Development Counsellor, for contributing to key objectives of the UK’s business country plan in Côte d’Ivoire, including on the following:

Thematic development work (50%)

• Support the embassy’s day-to-day diplomatic, policy and programme work on climate change, including delivering the embassy’s climate initiatives in country, engaging and maximising UK’s centrally managed climate projects, developing and leveraging the UK’s relationships with key Ministries, international partners and civil society.
• Support the embassy’s diplomatic, policy and programme work on women and girls, including on economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, countering sexual and gender-based violence, and developing and leveraging the UK’s relationships with key Ministries, international partners and civil society.
• Developing creative ideas for supporting Ivorian civil society across the range of UK objectives including through capacity-building, advocacy and comms activities.
• Strengthening links with the trade team in support of Embassy work to promote more inclusive and equitable economic development in Côte d’Ivoire.
• Be the embassy’s lead and main source of guidance and knowledge on all programme management issues, rules, guidance and processes, in particular to provide.
• Excellent programme management and oversight of our embassy projects as the Programme Responsible Officer (PRO), and ensuring effective monitoring and compliance, and timely payments. Lead on the bidding process for programme funds to be allocated by HQ for Côte d’Ivoire.

Communications (35%) 

• Lead the British Embassy’s day-to-day communications work to project the UK’s presence, activity and objectives, reaching influential opinion-formers as well as the general public. Disseminate practical information related to the UK e.g. Travel Advice, visa information.
• Collaborate with Embassy colleagues (e.g. trade and consular) and draw on regional hub support to develop innovative, impactful content; run campaigns, promote events and share information.
• Lead on identifying and managing content for Embassy digital channels (currently websites: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Ensure timely and regular messaging. Identify and engage the key digital stakeholders in the Ivorian context.
• Provide quarterly evaluation of ongoing comms activity and reach and provide rapid evaluation of specific campaigns, applying lessons learnt to future campaigns.
• Draft press releases, website articles, briefings and speeches as required in both English and French and secure their publication.
• Lead on media management and social media coverage (including pictures and videos) at Embassy events and engagements.
• Lead on co-ordination and delivery of proactive, external-facing engagement plan for the Ambassador, drawing on content provided by policy leads.
• Ensure all material produced by the Embassy follows the branding guidelines. Develop and redesign new material for staff to use. Manage inventoried stocks of comms material, commissioning new material when required.
• Identify and bid for funding opportunities e.g. GREAT Challenge Fund. Provide accurate comms budget forecasts.
• Other ad hoc work as needed.
• Keep up to date with personal and professional development needs.

Broader policy (10%)

• Be a flexible, collegiate team player, contributing to wider team work, political reporting and policy analysis, as well as the updates to the UK Country Business Plan for Côte d’Ivoire.
• Building relationships with other UK government colleagues across the region and at HQ with a view to spotting further opportunities, in particular funding, programming and comms opportunities to support UK objectives in Côte d’Ivoire.
• Take a proactive approach to personal and professional learning and development.

Corporate (5%)

• Contribute to the wellbeing and effective functioning of the Embassy (e.g. financial compliance suprise checks, membership of internal committees)

These areas of focus may evolve and change, subject to UK government and Embassy strategic priorities. Flexibility will be essential.

Language requirements: French and English

Level of language required:  Fluent – written and oral

• EITHER Higher education qualification in a relevant field (e.g. development, public policy, international relations, communications etc.) + minimum 2 years’ professional experience of working on development/climate issues, ideally in Côte d’Ivoire; OR no relevant, higher education qualification but minimum 6 years’ professional experience of working on development/climate issues, ideally in Côte d’Ivoire.
• Strong IT skills
• Strong drafting, team-working and communication skills
• Programme management skills and experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills