Communications Manager C4 (L)
BRITISH HIGH EMBASSY MOGADISHU
VACANCY NOTICE NO – 50/15 NR
POSITION
SECTION
GRADE
POSITION TYPE
SALARY
: Communications Manager
: Corporate Services
: C4 (L)
: Permanent
: Ksh. 317,293 per month
A vacancy has arisen at the British Embassy, Mogadishu (Nairobi Office) (BEM NO) located at the British High Commission
Nairobi for a C4 (L) Communications Manager. The BHC consists of 360 employees with a wide variety of experience and
job roles, representing over 10 government departments working within Kenya and Somalia.
The position is graded at C4 (L) for which the current salary scale starts at Ksh.317, 293 per month before deduction of tax.
Where the jobholder is not liable to Kenyan tax the scale will be abated under HM Treasury rules and starts at
Ksh. 228,497 per month to take account of the tax they would have paid.
Due to the nature of the role it is necessary that any applicant is able to obtain security clearance to officialsensitive. Security checks and an interview will be conducted.
Main Purpose of the job:
We are looking for a dynamic and experienced individual to join our team as the Communications Manager at the British
Embassy in Mogadishu. The role will lead all UK communication efforts in Somalia. The successful candidate will have
proven experience of developing innovative media campaigns for big organisations, strong interpersonal skills and a
experience of designing and implementing communications strategies.
With the re-opening of the UK Embassy in Somalia, the UK’s influence (and footprint) on the ground continues to grow. We
now have established programmes across development, justice and security sectors. Somalia also continues to make
progress with an electoral process underway, the completion of the federal map due in 2016 and increasing security. This
expansion of our work has been matched by the increasing range and depth of our interlocutors, as newly formed regional
administrations are established across the country and access is increasingly possible to parts of Somalia outside of
Mogadishu.
We now need a sustained communications effort that reflects our ambition. The successful candidate will have the skills
and vision to ensure we make the most of this exciting time for the UK Embassy. This individual will be responsible for all
Somalia-related communications efforts in Somalia, and Diaspora communities. The job-holder will be based in Nairobi but
will be expected to travel to Somalia as required (a per diem rate for days spent in Somalia will be paid). All security and
accommodation is provided within the British Embassy compound. Security training will be provided.
Roles and responsibilities:
Key responsibilities:
The successful candidate will lead the UK communications effort in Somalia, design and implement campaigns and be the
main contact for Somali and international media. In this role, they will be the primary Communications Advisor to the British
Ambassador to Somalia and provide advice to other colleagues to promote UK interests and deliver public messaging on
Somalia. A significant part of this role will include understanding and actively responding to UK policy objectives to ensure
that we have complimentary communications campaigns and events.
The main duties include:
 Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy for Somalia.
 Provide media advice to the UK Ambassador to Somalia, British Embassy Somalia colleagues and London office,
building wider media relations and contacts, developing core scripts and media plans.
 Design and implement media campaigns that reflect all aspects of the UK effort in Somalia.
 Run a team that responds to enquiries and produces proactive media information relating to Somalia.
Communications Manager C4 (L)
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Oversee and implement British Embassy events and media briefings.
Produce daily media monitoring reports on news relating to Somalia and our programme.
Have responsibility for the Embassy’s website and social media platforms.
Key competences required:
 Collaborating and Partnering – Readily identify opportunities to share knowledge, information and learning and
make progress by working with colleagues. Proactively seek information, resources and support from others
outside own immediate team in order to help achieve results.
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Leading and Communicating - Express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, and with sensitivity and
respect for others. Display enthusiasm around goals and activities – adopting a positive approach when interacting
with others.
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Delivering at Pace - Create regular reviews of what and who is required to make a project/activity successful and
make ongoing improvements. Take ownership of problems in their own area of responsibility. Check own and team
performance against outcomes, make improvement suggestions or take corrective action when problems are
identified.
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Delivering a Quality Service - Work with team to set priorities, create clear plans and manage all work to meet the
needs of the customer and the business. Keep internal teams, customers and delivery partners fully informed of
plans and possibilities. Ensure that levels of service are maintained – flag up risks or concerns in order to meet
customer requirements.
Required skills / experience / qualifications:
The successful candidate will be a competent and dynamic Communications Manager with experience of leading teams in
public relations and/or news media. They will have experience of working with international organisations and in designing
media campaigns. They should have excellent interpersonal skills, fluent English and Somali language skills, and proven IT
skills, especially websites and social media. The chosen candidate will have energy, drive and a willingness to work under
time pressure. There will be a requirement to work out of normal office hours on an exceptional basis, with time off in lieu
granted.
Previous experience of working with Somalia news media would be an advantage.
NOTE:
 All applicants must be legally able to work in Kenya and Mogadishu with the correct visa/status or work permit.
 The British Embassy in Mogadishu is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce
and valuing difference.
 Staff members recruited locally by the British High Commission and British Embassy in Nairobi and Mogadishu are
subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Kenyan employment law.
 Spouses/registered partners of UK Based Staff, are able to work within the BHC/BCG but their salary will be
abated at the appropriate tax rates.
 Reference checking, medical checks and security clearances will be conducted.
 If you have not heard from us 3 weeks after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. Note:
Any questions you may have about this position will only be answered during interview, should you be invited.
To Apply
Please read these notes carefully to ensure that your application is received and processed.
All applicants should submit a short (1 page maximum) covering letter stating why they are a suitable candidate for the
position along with a copy of their CV (2 page maximum) in English and BHC Application form, by email to:
Recruitment.Africa5@fco.gov.uk
Internal candidates should also submit the above with a copy of their appraisals covering the past 24 months.
Communications Manager C4 (L)
All candidates should use the following subject line for their email: 50/15 NR Communications Manager.
Please submit only the requested documents. Please also ensure that your email including attachments is no larger than 2
megabytes, otherwise it may be rejected by your email system or the systems through which it will pass en route to us.
Internal candidates and spouses of UK diplomatic officers: Please quote in the subject line of your email, the Vacancy
Notice No: 50/15 NR Communications Manager and also indicate that you are an internal candidate or the spouse of a
diplomatic officer.
Applications will only be accepted by email.
The closing date is 22 January 2016 and no further applications will be accepted after this date.