Political, Press & Public Affairs Officer - British Consulate-General Los Angeles

Main purpose of role:

The British Government’s Consulate in Los Angeles has an exciting opportunity for a creative and dynamic person to join the Political, Press, & Public Affairs Team (PPPA) as Political, Press, and Public Affairs Officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, supporting work at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.

In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

This is a chance to directly contribute to the way in which both Governments collaborate and negotiate on key priorities such as climate change, science and technology, LGBTQ+ rights, and diversity. The Press & Public Affairs Officer (PPAO) will be responsible for implementing a high impact communications strategy to support the work of all teams at the Consulate and to champion UK interests to US audiences through media relations, digital diplomacy, and strategic communications campaigns. The PPAO will also develop and deliver high impact public diplomacy projects, events, and visit programmes including associated administration and budget management.

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:

• Deliver and implement a communication and digital media strategy. This will include working closely with the Embassy communications team to implement media and communications campaigns.
• Regularly generate and issue content across all UKinLA platforms including Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and the Consulate website – ensuring the content is engaging, accurate, and updated on a timely basis.
• Lead on drafting press lines and other official communication (e.g. remarks, press releases, newsletters).
• Organise and manage media interviews.
• Respond to public enquiries, maintain information and contact databases, monitor project budgets, compile reports.
• Compile and distribute regular media monitoring products - following all forms of media to track news events and monitor breaking news, ensuring the Consul General, Los Angeles-based staff and Embassy colleagues have a good sense of news and major events within the Consulate’s area of responsibility.
• Deliver localised Marshall Scholarship work streams including managing the annual Marshall Scholarship selection process, outreach to Marshall alumni, and Scholarship promotion to regional universities and institutions.
• Identify opportunities to organise and implement events/networking opportunities to promote trade and investment and UK values and interests including around climate, change, science and tech, diversity (including LGBTQ+ rights).
• Coordinate and project manage public affairs events including oversight of guest-lists and budgets and ensuring project execution via task management and stakeholder engagement.
• Support high level visits programmes including developing communications content and media plans in line with UK priorities.
• Where appropriate, assist the Head of PPPA with reporting on thematic areas of work (e.g. political engagement).

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Experience in communications or marketing, especially creating content for and managing organisational social media accounts.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
• Fully versed in Microsoft Office, Apple software, Photoshop, Canva, and social media platforms (Instagram, X, LinkedIn).
• Knowledge of and interest in the media, political and economic make-up and trends of the US Southwest and Pacific.
• Superior research skills with the ability to work efficiently and accurately under pressure.
• A demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and to deliver results.
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively across departments with a positive, self-motivated, and creative attitude.
• Ability to prepare press kits, issue press releases, draft statements, etc.
• Ability to undertake administrative tasks.
• Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application.

Please note: 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, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form. This role is ineligible for sponsorship.

You may refer to our website for additional information:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. 

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Established press and media contacts.
• Media handling skills including building relationships with journalists and experience in arranging interviews and press briefings.
• Photography and/or videography experience, including post-production capabilities.
• Knowledge of and/or experience working for governmental/international organisations or NGOs.
• Proficiency in Spanish.

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.). 

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.  

Working patterns:

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 times a week. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.  

This role requires occasional evening and weekend work as business need arises. Potential for regional travel.

Varied/flexible working patterns must be agreed with your Line Manager.  

Additional information  

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

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, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.  

The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

Required behaviours  

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Job Category  

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory  

Communications, Press and Media

Application deadline  

1 August 2024

Grade  

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position  

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week  

40

Region  

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory  

United States

Location (City)  

Los Angeles

Type of Post  

British Consulate General

Number of vacancies  

1

Salary Currency  

USD

Salary  

$30.38 per hour

Start Date  

17 September 2024