View Vacancy – DZA – Political and Communications Officer (HEO)

The British Embassy Algiers currently has a vacancy for Political and Communications Officer, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) on a permanent full-time contract.

The role of the Political and Communications Officer sits within the Political Team and is central to the whole Embassy effort for engagement with Algeria. We are looking for a highly motivated self-starter, able to demonstrate an active interest in and understanding of national, regional and global current affairs. The successful candidate will be the Embassy’s expert on Algerian domestic developments and be able to provide analysis and policy advice to inform the UK’s approach to colleagues in the Embassy and in the UK. They will build and regularly engage with an extensive network of contacts from across Algeria’s political scene, often at more senior levels.

The jobholder will also co-ordinate and manage the UK in Algeria Communications Strategy, with a focus on the full range of HMG objectives alongside other teams in the Embassy including Commercial and Defence. They will lead cross-Mission communications to promote the UK and our objectives, and pioneer a new approach to communications, soft power, and our public facing work.

The jobholder will work closely with the Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission and teams across the Embassy and has the opportunity to propose new approaches and use their analytical skills to enhance the UK-Algeria bilateral relationship.

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Monitoring domestic developments in Algeria and providing high quality reporting on their implications on UK interests, both independently and in collaboration with other Embassy colleagues.
• Develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of contacts, from across the Algerian political spectrum and civil society.
• Production of a daily press review, issued in the morning to the Ambassador and other staff at the Embassy to flag developments as they are happening.
• Lead on day-to-day external communications, under the direction of the Head of Political Internal, enabling a greater knowledge about the UK government’s activity in country and analysing its impact using the full range of campaign techniques and communications tools, including digital and social media.
• Act as the first point of contact for the Algerian media, issuing press releases and identifying opportunities for publicising the work of the Embassy.
• Work with other Embassy colleagues, including the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission, to direct the Embassy social media strategy and approach, and proposing communications activities to enhance the impact of senior colleagues social media presence. 
• Lead the expanded Chevening scholarship programme for the Algeria network, using your knowledge and expertise to make recommendations to the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission on how to use the opportunity to develop a stronger and more active network of Chevening and British alumni that have closer and more constructive relationships with HMG and work in support of HMG objectives to develop a wider and stronger bilateral relationship with the UK.
• Develop dynamic working relationships with colleagues in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London, and the Middle East and North Africa Communications Network, and provide advice on the context in Algeria and best approaches to working here. There will be the opportunity to travel both within the region and to the UK.
• Play an active role in the Embassy’s crisis preparedness planning committee.
• Making a full and active contribution to the Embassy’s corporate agenda, promoting a positive, motivated and inclusive environment for all

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs.

Key behaviours required:

• Seeing the bigger picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Making Effective Decisions: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.

Eligibility

Applicants must have the legal right to reside and work in Algeria.

• Fluent in English, Arabic and French, written and oral.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to enable partnering with teams across the Embassy and the wider network.
• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree qualification in politics, international relations or similar.
• Experience of working in an international organisation/Embassy.
• Understanding of the Algerian political and media landscape.
• Ability to build and maintain a network of contacts.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to express your ideas in writing and orally to a diverse audience, including to colleagues based in the UK.
• Social media skills across a range of platforms and devices.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).