Communications and External Engagement Advisor, British High Commission (BHC) Nassau, The Bahamas

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

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Residence and Support Staff)

Job Subcategory

Communications, Press and Media

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission (BHC) in The Bahamas is looking for a Communications and External Engagement Advisor to lead on creating and implementing the BHC's Communications and Engagement Plan, including through strategic use of traditional and social media, taking forward a strategic policy area and leading on event delivery. Success will mean your work amplifies the voice and presence of the BHC on the issues and objectives that matter most to the UK and The Bahamas: growth, culture, education, the environment and security.

You will be an integral member of a small, fast-paced and creative team, working closely with the High Commissioner, the Deputy High Commissioner and other BHC staff. For the right person, this is an opportunity to transform the BHC's approach to communications.

This will include:
• Leading on a Comms and Engagement Plan for the UK in The Bahamas, linking back to the BHC's strategic priorities;
• Managing the BHC's social media accounts;
• Capturing and editing images and videos of events and engagements;
• Supporting the High Commissioner as she leads on external engagements and ensuring these are publicized;
• Monitoring and evaluating the BHC's media impact;
• Building a network of contacts across the media landscape (including Press Departments in Bahamian ministries and institutions);
• Leading on other communications activities, such as drafting press releases;
• Delivering on a key strategic policy priority;
• Overseeing the planning, implementing, and execution of events, including those hosted at the Residence of the High Commissioner; and
• Leading on external engagement campaigns such as the recruitment of Chevening Scholars and liaising with the Chevening Alumni cohort.

The successful applicant will be highly organized, media savvy within The Bahamas, use initiative, generate creative content and solutions, have a strong focus on delivery, be personable and professional. Working as part of a small core team, you will need to be flexible, have a can-do approach, and be ready to support your colleagues. One moment you may be lobbying on a key policy priority; the next shooting a reel for social media; the next overseeing set-up of an event at the Residence and welcoming senior guests as they arrive.

There will be opportunities for travel to the Family Islands, and for personal development, including virtual training sessions and regional gatherings.

Roles and responsibilities:

Comms and External Engagement Strategic Planning (20%)

• Create and implement a Comms and External Engagement Plan, ensuring a clear forward-look, that supports the BHC's strategic objectives. This will cover traditional and social media, as well as events.
• Ensure alignment of the plan with UK Government priorities, with key Bahamian events and international events.
• Monitor and evaluate impact of BHC comms outreach and adapt activities as needed for maximum impact.
• Build a network of media and public engagement contacts.

Media Engagement (20%)

• Manage the BHC's social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X and a WhatsApp Community), building a BHC 'brand'.
• Regularly monitor and interact with other posts and accounts.
• Create and post content regularly, tailoring the message to each platform and audience.
• Create engaging, innovative graphics and videos.
• Draft and disseminate press releases and articles, and prepare relevant background and speaking notes for media handling.

Event Management (25%)

• Oversee the planning and execution of all BHC events.
• Manage logistics of events by coordinating with both BHC and external staff and suppliers to ensure aims are achieved within budget.
• Oversee event set up beforehand and supervise during the event, troubleshooting problems as they arise.
• Capture images and videos during events and engagements.

Policy (10%)

• Taking forward one of the key strategic priorities of the BHC – with flexibility to pursue an area of interest within education, culture and/or environment.
• Building local alliances and keeping an ear to the ground on key developments and opportunities for UK engagement.
• Amplifying UK asks and lobbying on key UK priorities.

Chevening (15%)

• Lead end-to-end on the process of advertising, recruiting and supporting annual cohorts of Chevening Scholars from The Bahamas.
• Conduct Chevening interviews, and work with the High Commissioner on the selection of scholars.
• Serve as the liaison point for the active and growing Chevening Alumni community.

For more information regarding Chevening, please visit: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/

Embassy operations (10%)

• All members of the team have a role in the efficient operations of the BHC.
• All members of the team have a role in crisis preparedness and response.
• All members of the BHC must follow FCDO compliance rules.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure)

No line management responsibility, but the role holder will be responsible for coordinating external staff and contractors at events.

Learning and development opportunities

The role holder will need to work with the Deputy Corporate Services Manager on event expenditure to ensure all events come within budget.

As part of the role, you will be able to undertake Communication Skills Training offered by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on:

• Strategic Communication Planning
• Effective Media Relations
• Digital Communication
• Internal Communication

You can also undertake training through the UK's Civil Service Learning Academy, the Government Communication Service and the FCDO's International Academy, which provide ample training on UK strategic priorities.

There is a Comms and Soft Power Network of officers across the UK's foreign missions, who offer advice and support. There are also regional groupings and Communications Hubs (including one in Mexico City) and conferences, where comms officers can meet in person. Similar groupings exist for policy areas.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• An undergraduate degree.
• Experience with content creation for various communication channels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.
• Strong planning and delivery skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Understanding of The Bahamas media and political context.
• Proficient with Microsoft Suite eg. Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable skills / experience / qualifications:

• A minimum of two years relevant experience of working in communications, media or public relations.
• Experience working in an international environment.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service

Application deadline

11 November 2025

Grade

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

36

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

Bahamas

Location (City)

Nassau

Type of Post

British High Commission

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

USD

Salary

$46,000

Type of Salary

yearly

Start Date

5 January 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Applicants must have the legal status to live and work in the Bahamas at time of application.

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.

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

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities. The role comes with a benefits package of a comprehensive medical insurance and an optional pension scheme with employer contributions at 9.8%.

Working Patterns:

The BHC is open Monday-Thursday 08:00-16:00 and Friday 08:00-12:00. At times, evening or weekend work may be required to cover events hosted by the BHC.

We are committed to fostering a healthy work-life balance and supporting employee wellbeing through a structured hybrid working model that includes opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, where operational needs allow. Flexible working is possible, subject to agreement from the line manager.

Additional information

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 11 November 2025

All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.