Communications Officer at the Embassy of Sweden to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho

Sweden and South Africa enjoy a strong relationship and have a long history of bilateral collaboration. The Swedish Government promotes South African-Swedish exchanges through a range of activities, incl. seminars, events and social media campaigns. The overall tasks of the Embassy include supporting business and trade, regional development cooperation as well as consular services, and has 32 employees.

 The Embassy’s Section for Politics, Trade and Culture is responsible for political and economic reporting related to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho, as well as for the Embassy’s promotional activities, events and communication in these countries.

 The position as Strategic Communication officer is suited for someone who is outgoing and able to take initiatives, with a strong interest in media and social media, political and economic affairs and in initiating and organizing impactful events, also digitally. The successful candidate might already be working with advocacy or communication in an NGO, international organization or PR agency.

Responsibilities will include

• Having overall responsibility for the Embassy’s strategic communication on all Embassy platforms, including communication plans for Embassy activities
• Planning, coordinating and executing online campaigns and physical events.
• Maintaining and expanding a network of press and media representatives, NGO’s
• think tanks and other organisations/persons of interest to the embassy.
• Monitoring and analysis of press, media and other reports on developments in South Africa (political and economic).
• Contributing to briefing papers, reports, wider research pieces and talking points.
• Having overall responsibility for the Embassy’s promotion material and visual profile.

This position will include the promotion of gender equality and human rights including LGBTQIA+ rights, SRHR, innovation, trade, higher education, climate and environment.

Requirements

• Strong initiative, self-motivation and drive.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent social and networking skills.
• Strong mastering of spoken and written English and highly developed communication skills.
• Problem-solving, attention to detail and efficient administrative skills.
• Good working knowledge of social media platforms, tools for graphic design (such as Canva), virtual meeting platforms (such as Zoom) and YouTube.
• Ability and interest in teamwork.
• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in relevant field.
• The applicant needs to be a South African citizen or have a valid work permit for South Africa.
• Applicants must have a clean criminal record.
• Security clearance from relevant Swedish authorities will have to be obtained based on a South African police clearance.
• The successful applicant embraces the Embassy’s core values of equality and openness and enjoys the idea of representing Sweden to peers.

Merits

• Work experience from public administration, Embassy work, NGO’s, private sector.
• Experience from project management.
• Technical media skills, like sound system, video and microphone handling.

How to apply

An application including motivational letter of no longer than one page and a CV no longer than two pages in length should be sent to the Embassy at ambassaden.pretoria@gov.se no later than 16 September.

Starting date: as soon as possible, please indicate notice period in your application.

Employment conditions

The successful candidate will be offered a permanent position subject to a 6-month probationary period. The salary is individual and adapted according to relevant professional experience. In addition to this, the employee will also receive a 13th month salary as well as medical coverage for themselves and immediate family (spouse and children under 19 years) – among other benefits.