We are

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. It plays an important role in international affairs through diplomacy, trade, development aid and working with global organisations. Abroad, the EU is represented through more than 140 diplomatic representations, known also as EU Delegations, which have a similar function to those of an embassy.

The EU Delegation to Botswana and SADC works in close coordination with the Embassies and Consulates of the 27 EU Member States. We are a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and represent the European Union in dealings with the Botswana government in areas that are part of the EU’s remit.

We offer

We are recruiting a Press and Information Officer (Local Agent Group 1) for the EU Delegation’s Political, Press and Information Section, which consists of a team of three people. Under this post, the recruited person will be attributed functions depending on the needs of the Delegation, and on the changes of these needs and there are occasional atypical working hours. While some tasks will be coordinated directly with the Head of Delegation as needed, the successful candidate will serve under the supervision and responsibility of the Head of Section, providing support, expertise and assistance with the below main tasks and duties:

TASK 1: EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION, EVENTS

• Act as Spokesperson for specific Delegation activities and in this context (a) organize press interviews and conferences for Head of Delegation and as needed other Delegation members; (b) organise media events/coverage for visiting Commissioners and other high level officials (c) prepare as needed summaries of the Botswana press or of the foreign press with news related to Botswana and/or the EU; (d) draw the attention of the Head of Delegation and Head of Section to events and articles requiring immediate attention and/or reaction, involving notably relations with the EU or other relevant matters (e) prepare draft press releases, in coordination with Communications Coordinator of the Cooperation Section where needed;
• Propose ways to enhance the favorable visibility, image and understanding in Botswana of the EU and its priorities, and of the EU-Botswana partnership, with support from the Delegation as needed;
• Develop good working relations and contacts with members of the local and international media based in Gaborone, and in line with guidance received, respond to enquiries regarding EU policy, priorities, initiatives and actions in Botswana and vis-a-vis the SADC, and supply material and documentation appropriate to this purpose;
• Liaise as needed with state information and press agencies, and with other appropriate media organisations and agencies in Botswana, including ministry spokespersons;
• Refer to the Head of Delegation, Acting Head of Delegation, Head of Section and as needed headquarter services for the 'line to take' on various issues;
• Contribute to and implement the Delegation social media strategy;
• Feed on a daily basis and manage relevant Delegation social media accounts;
• Organise visibility events, such as European Film Festival, seminars, debates, campaign launches.

TASK 2: INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

• Work closely with the Cooperation Section Communication Coordinator, with a view to organising visibility events linked to EU’s top priorities in order to maximise effectiveness of the Delegation’s public information strategy;
• Liaise with press officers and press services of EU Members States accredited to Botswana and SADC;
• Liaise where necessary with headquarters desk officers as well as EEAS and Commission officials in developing and presenting a consistent media messages.

TASK 3: VISIBILITY MATERIALS, MEDIA

• Organise the production and publication of Delegation visibility and other media material in English and where needed, in Setswana;
• Maintain and enhance the comprehensive data base for use in media activities of the Delegation, and for distribution of Delegation information material;
• Regularly supervise and update the Delegation website.

TASK 4: REPORTING

• Contribute to political and other reporting with topical insights of the political developments in the country and vis-à-vis EU-SADC relations as requested by the Head of Section or Head of Delegation;
• Suggest topics and provide drafts for political reports.

TASK 5: BUDGET, PROCUREMENT, FINANCE, ETC.

• Manage/check/follow up on the annual press and information budget provided to the Section under the supervision of the Head of Section;
• Manage the budgets available to the Section for press and information purposes, under the direction of the Head of Section, and consult with the Finance and Contracts Section, to ensure that EU rules on budgetary management are respected;
• Make annual budget proposals for press and information activities;
• Assure funds permitted to organise information visits for media personnel to different EU institutions in Belgium and elsewhere; initiate procurement of goods and services and initiate, for agreement by hierarchy and in line with applicable rules, payments in the internal accounting system;
• Prepare/Check draft purchase orders, contracts and invoices.

The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from P 32,104. There is a competitive benefits package, subject to certain conditions, including personal leave days and public holidays, health insurances and a retirement savings plan.

The expected start date will be as soon as possible. 

Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered)

• University Degree in Journalism and Communication, Political science or any other field relevant to the job;
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in communication, reporting and editing, journalism or events management, or similar professional experience with direct relevance to the job;
• Excellent knowledge – C2 – of both oral and written English and Setswana language;
• Excellent skills in ICT, social media platforms and other internet based media tools (eg. Facebook, Twitter, Web content management tools, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
• Right to residence and work in Botswana;
• Medical fitness to carry out the tasks assigned

Assets / selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant)

• Excellent interpersonal and time management skills with capacity to prioritize and organise meetings, events and agendas;

• Excellent team work fluency, high flexibility, and capacity to work under pressure; ability to adapt to a multicultural working environment;
• Excellent language skills (written and oral) in required languages with ability to write clearly and concisely and communicate complex information effectively to wider audiences;
• Good knowledge of the Botswana media scene and main actors and a strong news sense;
• Familiarity with EU-Botswana and EU-SADC bilateral relations and socio-economic circumstances, and with the EU’s overall Communications Strategy in the field of external relations as an asset;
• High professional standards of reliability, confidentiality, integrity and job dedication;
• The job requires working after office hours as news urgencies and events may dictate.

How to apply

Please send your application and supporting documents the following email address (with reference “PPI Officer”): delegation-botswana-hoa@eeas.europa.eu. The deadline is 15/12/2023 at 12.00. Only complete applications received on time via the correct email address will be considered.

Your application must include:

•  your ID card or passport with residence permit
• a cover letter,
• Europass format CV (available here: https://europa.eu/europass/eportfolio/screen/cv-editor?lang=en),
• your University Degree
• at least 2 reference letters

The successful candidate will be subject to a medical check, background check, and documental check before recruitment.

The process

After the deadline for applications, the eligible applications will be admitted to the Selection by the Committee set up for this purpose.

Depending on the number of applications received, successive phases of Selection may include shortlisting of candidates based assessment of the information provided in the cover letter, CV and any references provided; practical testing and interviews. The best candidates will be invited to the final test and interview.

Only candidates admitted to each successive selection phase will be contacted individually. The Delegation will use the same means of publication as for this job advertisement to inform the remaining candidates once the recruitment procedure has been completed and that a candidate has (or has not) been recruited.

The Delegation will not supply additional information or discuss the selection procedure. During the selection process, please do not contact the members of the Selection Committee, but address your questions and comments to the Delegation’s Administration.