Communications Officer EO; PTA

Position: Communications Officer EO (04/25 PTA)
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 (Policy & Political roles) Job Subcategory Communications, Press and Media

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

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.

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

Required behaviours Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together Final date to receive applications 4 February 2026 Grade Executive Officer (EO) Type of Position Permanent Working hours per week 36.5 Region Africa Country/Territory South Africa Location (City) Pretoria Type of Post British High Commission Number of vacancies 1 Salary Currency ZAR Salary  (Base…