Communications Officer

British High Commission Pretoria; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A diplomatic mission in South Africa is seeking a digital communications professional to enhance engagement through social media and media relations. Responsibilities include creating engaging content, monitoring media, and building relationships with journalists. Candidates should possess strong writing and multimedia skills, along with experience in media communications and social media strategy. This position is ideal for a proactive communicator looking to make an impact in a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in media communications or journalism.
• Proficiency in photography and videography.
• Ability to draft engaging social media content.

Responsibilities

• Translate objectives into engaging social media content.
• Collect case studies through interviews and content capture.
• Monitor media stories and respond to inquiries.

Skills

Media/Journalism/Communications experience

Photography/videography skills

Social media production

Graphic design skills

Excellent writing skills in English

Experience in social media monitoring

Understanding of social media trends

Experience in brand management

Excellent organizational skills

Job description

Overview

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission in South Africa maintains and develops relations between the UK and South Africa. The UK and South Africa work together internationally, regionally and nationally, building strategic partnerships in important areas including tackling climate change, promoting gender equality, protecting security, improving trade and building inclusive economic growth.

This is an opportunity for a digitally savvy and creative communications professional to join the fast-paced UK in South Africa Communication Team and support our efforts to communicate how the UK is working with South Africa on issues such as economic growth, science and technology, global health and green energy.

This role is based at the British High Commission in Pretoria. You will need the professionalism and confidence to work directly with stakeholders, senior staff and high-profile visitors.

The successful candidate will be responsible for capturing good quality content at events (photos, video, interviewing/doing vox pops), collecting content on field visits to our projects, drafting communication strategies, handling journalists, writing press releases and social media posts for our digital channels and producing media reports to keep colleagues informed of current affairs.

You will have excellent attention to detail to ensure that all social media messaging and content is engaging and accurate.

The job requires a positive, self-starter attitude with initiative and drive to build a network of influencer and media contacts. You must be an excellent team player, ready to support colleagues reactively and by proactively engaging with teams to support with comms, from concept to delivery.

Roles and responsibilities

• Work with colleagues across the British High Commission to help translate our priorities and objectives into engaging social media copy and content to increase the local profile and impact of our work
• Collect case studies of our projects, conducting interviews with partners and capturing content to turn into powerful stories for media interest and digital channels
• Capture and upload high quality photos and video footage at events for social media channels
• Design content for social media, including multimedia
• Support posting on social media channels when needed
• Draft and issue press releases to media
• Keep media contact database up to date
• Monitor news and media stories
• Monitor our media inbox and respond to queries
• Build relationships with local journalists, organisations, influencers
• Pull together evaluation reports of media coverage secured and social media engagement

Resources managed

• GPC cardholder, corporate credit card holder
• Management of subscriptions and budget for subscriptions, branding and communications products

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Media/Journalism/Communications or relevant experience
• Photography/videography; social media production, graphic design skills
• Experience of designing and delivering proactive and reactive digital communication campaigns and messaging for a variety of channels
• Excellent writing skills in English; ability to draft accurate and engaging content for social media with impeccable attention to detail to ensure editorial accuracy
• Experience in social media monitoring and evaluation tools – ability to evaluate impact is essential
• Excellent understanding of social media trends, audiences and channels
• Ability to produce insights on target audiences, influencers and the media landscape to shape a campaign strategy
• Experience of brand management and use of paid marketing tools
• Understanding of South African media, PR and communications environment
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills to respond effectively to tight deadlines and changing priorities
• The ability to learn quickly and work with a high degree of autonomy
• A great team worker and proactive problem solver who can work well under pressure and to short deadlines.
• Experience of insight and evaluation tools