This is a high-profile outward-facing position.  The successful candidate will be a self-starting multi-tasker, an established communications professional with a comprehensive understanding of the Russian media scene.  You will have the ability to communicate fluently in both English and Russian, to think on your feet, and to identify, understand and develop media angles to any given policy situation.   

Job Description – Main Responsibilities:

As Deputy to the Press Secretary, to cover all unclassified aspects of the Embassy’s Communications operation as needed.  To manage day to day contacts with Russian mainstream media.

Outward-facing Press Work 

• Deputy Embassy Spokesperson
• Liaison with FCO Press Office on new and ongoing press issues
• Maintenance of up to date press lines in English and Russian
• Answering media queries deploying standard lines, seeking guidance from Press Secretary and / or FCO Press Office as necessary
• Relationship-building with Russian mainstream broadcast and print media
• Placing articles, interviews etc by UK Ministers and Officials; spotting opportunities for article placement
• Drafting, clearing and issuing press releases

For internal customers

• Advising Embassy and other HMG colleagues on Russian media scene
• Ensuring provision of consistent breaking news service to Embassy colleagues
• Supervision of media contacts databases, press release distribution lists etc
• Flagging stories of importance from Russian media to Press Secretary and other colleagues on a daily basis
• Producing briefing for Ambassador and other colleagues in advance of media engagements
• Planning and organising briefings, press conferences, interviews etc
• Section liaison:  UK Border Agency

Public Diplomacy 

• Contribute to / guidance on Russia Network public diplomacy campaigns
• Ensure correct monitoring and evaluation of public diplomacy campaigns
• Supervision of PD events
• Liaison with Public Diplomacy Partners:  British Council, Visit Britain, BBC

Management  

• Constant contact with Consulates-General in Ekaterinburg and St Petersburg
• Maintain overview of Section workflow, identifying and resolving capacity issues
• Contribution to corporate agenda
• Staff management

In return, we offer:

• An interesting and fast-paced challenging job in a friendly, close-knit team
• Development and training opportunities, both personal and professional
• Excellent working environment including cafeteria, bar and sports facilities
• Competitive salary and benefits including medical insurance

The British Embassy is a competitive and equal opportunities employer. This position is Grade 1 and a salary of 50,000 roubles Gross paid 13 times per annum will be offered to the successful applicant.

Candidates for this position should complete the attached written exercise.  Please submit your exercise, CV and a cover letter explaining your skills, experience and suitability to moscowjobs@fco.gov.uk. The deadline for the application is Friday, 20 November 2009.

Deputy Press Secretary/Grade 1:  Candidate Exercise:

• Question 1

It is Monday, 22nd February 2010.  You are Deputy Press Secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow.  The Press Secretary is on holiday.
 
You have just heard that a trade delegation will be arriving from the UK two weeks from today.  The delegation, of 15 business people, represents the five largest British manufacturers of heavy industrial machinery used by the construction and agricultural sectors.  The visit, organised by the Trade and Investment arm of the British Embassy in Moscow (UKTI), is aimed at developing business contacts between the British manufacturers and potential purchasers in Russia.  There is a possibility that one or two contracts may be signed during the visit.
 
You have been asked to draft a communications plan, in English, for the delegation's visit.  Your plan should set out how you intend to extract maximum positive publicity, both for the delegation and for the Embassy, from the visit.  You may structure your plan how you wish, and include any elements you think will be useful.  Explain in your plan which audience groups you are trying to reach, what your messages are for each group, how you are going to convey these messages and any element of risk.
 
One of the elements in your plan must be a formal press release, in English and Russian, to issue shortly before the visit. 

• Question 2

It is Friday 12th March 2010.  The Press Secretary returns from holiday on Monday.
 
The trade mission was eventful, to say the least.  Two of the companies represented signed contracts with Russian customers.  The deals are worth upwards of £5million, and will safeguard 2,000 jobs in economically troubled regions of the UK.  Another of the visiting companies has signed a framework agreement with the Tver Oblast, with a view to assembling machinery from CKD kits for sale on the Russian market.
 
But this good news has not been universally welcomed.  The evening activities of one or two of the visitors, involving expensive restaurants and less than reputable nightclubs, caught the attention of a number of Moscow's tabloid journalists.  One of the visitors ended up spending a night in a police cell following an incident - for which, having discussed with the Embassy's Consular team, you believe there does appear to be an innocent explanation. 
A local manufacturer of similar machinery has written an open letter to the Russian Government protesting that his business will suffer, with the loss of Russian jobs, as a direct result of this foreign competition; he is requesting an urgent review of import tariffs on industrial machinery.  A colleague with knowledge of the industry sector tells you informally that the individual concerned is generally known to be deeply corrupt and is probably more concerned about loss of bribes than local jobs – and suggests that this information could be used to discredit his position.
 
The Ambassador has asked you for suggestions as to how to mitigate this negative publicity.  In particular she would like a draft letter for publication in a Russian daily newspaper, in English and in Russian, constructively addressing these criticisms and emphasising the positive aspects of trade delegations such as this one.  But she is also open to any other suggestions you may have.
 
You must also prepare reactive press lines and FAQs on the delegation's visit, in time for the Press Secretary's return.
  

• Information sources

You will want to research your answers thoroughly.  As a starting point, you will want to make use of the following websites:
 
www.fco.gov.uk
www.ukinrussia.fco.gov.uk
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/russia

• Assumptions

You may make any reasonable assumptions necessary to help you complete your tasks.  It would be prudent to make a note of these assumptions, and the rationale behind them.

We expect your submission to be your own original work.  Your submission, CV and covering letter should reach moscowjobs@britishembassy.ru no later than 5pm on Friday, 20 November 2009.