View Vacancy – LBN [Maternity Cover] Communications, Press and Media Officer (EO)

The British Embassy in Beirut has a vacancy for a Communications, Press and Media Officer, job grade Executive Officer (EO) under the UK Office for Syria (UKOS) on a fixed term contract of up to 06 months to cover a maternity leave to start immediately.

The jobholder will use and develop existing skills to project and raise the profile of the UK’s policy and programmatic work on Syria, including by managing UK official social media channels. The jobholder will be expected to come up with creative and bespoke digital content across the breadth of UK policy priorities and drive forward an engaging pipeline of UK communications activity. The jobholder will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the evolving press and social media landscape in Syria and advising on and managing relationships with journalists working on Syria.

This role reports to the UKOS Head of Communications, working closely with other members of UKOS, the UK Government’s communications teams based in London, the regional media hub in Dubai, and the communications team in the British Embassy Beirut.

This is a fascinating opportunity to work on Syria’s complex and fast-moving communications environment at a critical and impactful time.

Official travel to Syria is unlikely to be possible due to the temporary nature of this role. We are keen to encourage applications from a range of nationalities, including Syrians (actively encouraged).

Roles and responsibilities:

1. Communications: Managing UK Office for Syria social media channels (60%):

• Manage UKOS and UK Syria Envoy social media channels on Facebook and X, ensuring a regular drumbeat of impactful posts
• Design, create and edit bespoke and engaging dual-language (English and Arabic) digital content for UKOS social media channels, in collaboration with colleagues from across the network.
• Maintain the UKOS communications forward look pipeline and develop strategic comms plans for UKOS priority campaigns including leading on communications for official-level visits into Syria and UKOS events.
• Advise on reactive communications in response to developments in Syria, often working at pace.
• Lead on the UKOS communications evaluation assessments, including monthly UKOS and quarterly Arabic hub reports.

2. Monitoring and Reporting on Press and Social Media in Syria (20%):

• Monitor and analyse the evolving social media landscape across Syria, reporting on current and emerging trends, stories and influencers.
• Produce a daily Syria Press and Social Media Summary for FCDO audiences.

3. Managing Media Relationships (10%):

• Develop and maintain a contact list of Syrian journalist and media outlets, working with the Head of Communications to deepen the UK communications relationship with Syrian media and international organisations.
• Ensure journalists are kept up to date with UK policy developments on Syria, including responding to media enquiries and drafting and distributing UKOS press releases or articles.
• Support the UK’s Special Representative for Syria and other senior officials with media engagements, including arranging and advising them on interviews and press briefings with journalists.

4. Secretariat for Syria Communications (10%):

• Use strong organisational skills to act as secretariat for the Monthly Syria Communications Steering Group and regular meetings with the UK’s Special Representative for Syria.

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 jobholder may be required to use their Arabic language and communication skills to support organising senior official and ministerial inward visits into Syria.

We place a strong emphasis on learning and development (L&D) and UKOS has a supportive and active approach. You will also be encouraged to undertake professional development opportunities and get involved in the corporate activities of UKOS and the wider Embassy in Beirut.

Key Behaviours required:

• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Seeing the Big 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.
• 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.

• Fluent communication skills in English and Arabic (both spoken and written). Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
• Excellent communication skills including experience working on communications (planning, designing, implementation and evaluation).
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure and on own initiative.
• Excellent organisational skills and time management to meet deadlines.
• A keen and flexible team player with a proactive and collaborative approach.

In addition, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Objectivity
• Impartiality