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 do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Job Category
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory
Communications, Press and Media
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
This is an exciting opportunity to take a key senior role in a friendly and creative media team at the heart of the British Embassy.
The Head of Media role is an important and demanding one. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the media aspects of the full range of the UK’s activity in China, in close liaison with other sections of the Embassy and with London-based teams.
China is a high priority for UK foreign policy and commercial engagement. China receives many senior visitors from the UK, including the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary, and Cabinet Ministers. You will manage the media engagement on these visits and can therefore expect to engage directly with senior figures.
The Embassy wants to engage with China’s decision-makers and opinion-formers across a wide variety of issues, from foreign policy and economic issues to science collaboration and support for universal human rights. Our public diplomacy plays a key role in these efforts, making the Media Team central to the achievement of our policy objectives.
The Communications Team is a busy team but we work in an environment where all team members support each other during particularly busy periods. There are often opportunities to try new projects or work on different areas. The job may involve occasional travel within China or to the UK.
This position is advertised on a fixed-term basis for one (1) year.
What will the jobholder do?
— Lead the Media Team:
Lead a four-person communications team to deliver Embassy objectives through public-facing channels.
Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of the team’s media engagement.
Ensure the team develop strong relationships with key media groups and encourage continuous improvement and innovative approaches.
— Media handling for visits:
Lead on media engagement and handling in Beijing and North China for Ministerial and VIP visits.
Plan and execute media activities.
Deliver media briefing for visitors.
— Media liaison:
Act as point of contact with UK and international correspondents in China.
Develop media materials and design public statements in consultation with FCO Press Office.
Essential qualifications and experience
Proven track record in effective media engagement.
Able to demonstrate good judgement and high levels of initiative, creativity, and dynamism to maximise the profile of our public-facing work – not only reacting to breaking news but also working with the Communications Counsellor to proactively shape the future media agenda.
Excellent communications and organisational skills, with the ability to manage media events and confidence in dealing with senior figures.
Strong management skills, able to coordinate the work of a team of Communications Officers.
Able to thrive in a busy and fast-moving environment.
Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
Degree level qualification or equivalent.
Desirable qualifications and experience
Understanding of the British and Chinese media environment.
Experience of working with or in Chinese traditional media and/ or international media.
Understanding of international relations, especially UK-China relations.
Line management experience.
Qualification in PR/ Communications/ Journalism.
Required competencies
Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Demonstrating Resilience
Application deadline:17 November 2017
Grade:C4 (L)
Type of Position:Fixed Term, Full-time
Working hours per week:35
Region:Asia Pacific
Country/Territory:China
Location (City):Beijing
Type of Post:British Embassy
Number of vacancies:1
Starting monthly salary (CNY):27,396
Start Date:2 January 2018
End Date:1 January 2019
Other benefits and conditions of employment
We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross salary (before all deductions) is CNY 27,396/ month for Chinese Nationals and an abated monthly salary of CNY 35,742/ month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.
We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Beijing and its Consulates is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.
Additional information
All applications must be received before 11:55PM (China Standard Time) on 17 November 2017.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.
To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
