Role Title Ref no- 19/05/269

Communications Manager

Role Information

Role Type Pay Band Location Duration Reports to:

Full Time 6/G Dhaka Indefinite Head of

Communications
Role purpose

The purpose of this role is to tell the story of the British Council’s development work in
Bangladesh to its intended audiences using the most effective and impactful approaches and
platforms. This role supports the design and execution of an integrated communications strategy
(internal and external) within the country. The role proactively advocates for corporate brand
compliance, ensures the British Council brand is at the core of everything we do so the brand is
delivered to customers, partners, stakeholders and colleagues.

Led by the Head of Communications, and working with Programmes team, the Communications
Manager will create and manage campaigns including internal, external and stakeholder
communications within the country. The role liaises with press and media, manages social media
channels and part of the website. The role creates relevant content for various audiences,
channels (print and online), and is responsible to ensure value for money for communications
campaigns. The success of these campaigns will help reinforce the British Council’s position as a
cultural relations organisation with high quality products and services that positively change lives.

About us

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational
opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and
other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work
with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.

We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English
language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 65 million people directly and 731
million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK
charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body.

British Council in South Asia Region

South Asia, with a population of around 1.8 billion people, is one of the most diverse and dynamic
parts of the world and is characterized by continuing economic growth. We have operations in high-
growth developing economies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan.

Our operational model is to lead surplus generating business in English and our multi-million
pounds Exams services and growing self-sustaining and partnership-driven programmes in
Education, Society and Arts fields. We are increasingly focused on generating maximum impact
with our audiences with minimum draw on UK government funds. Increasingly, we are working
across countries and business fields, to maximise impact and the return on investment.

1 Communications Manager | May 2019 | British Council

Function overview

Communications is part of the wider Marketing function at the British Council. It is a

professional unit which drives awareness, understanding and engagement with us and our
diverse audiences. This unit uses insight, knowledge and analysis of relevant sectors and our
stakeholders to engage them with the British Council’s international cultural relations mission,
our programmes, projects, services, and products in the most impactful and effective way.

The team leads the development of brand and uses expertise to tell inspiring stories to
enhance the organisation’s global reputation, builds lifelong relationships, engages staff and
proves the impact of what we do.

You will be part of a central team that works with all business units in developing integrated
communications campaigns throughout the year. The team mainly focuses on promoting
Cultural Centre and Library, Teaching and Exams businesses, as well as the key themes of
our Programme portfolio which is focused on engaging with the youth population.

In Bangladesh, we mainly focus our work to contribute to SDG 4, 5, 8 and 17.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role

▪ Delivering a country communications plan, which aligns with the British Council’s global
and regional communications strategy and plan, enables country strategies and goals
and supports country programmes and activities.
▪ Managing the creation of campaigns which serve the communications needs of internal
stakeholders and will oftentimes involve collaboration with communications personnel of
partner organisations.
▪ Supporting systems which reduce risk to the British Council’s reputation while ensuring
communications campaigns are delivered on deadline and to maximum effect.
▪ Ensuring data relating to the British Council communication, online engagement, and
media networks is managed systematically and kept up-to-date.

Organogram

Director Marketing
PB8

Head of
Communications
Marketing Marketing Marketing PB7
Manager Manager Manager
(Exams) PB6 (Cultural Centre) (Teaching Centre)
PB6 PB6
Communications
Manager PB6

Communications
Officer PB4

2 Communications Manager | May 2019 | British Council

Main responsibilities

Communications operational planning and delivery

▪ Deliver an annual communications plan that is measurable, objective, and in line with corporate
and country strategy.
▪ Led by the Head of Communications and in consultation with Programme Leads and Project
Managers, develop and deliver bespoke communications plans for projects, taking into account
audiences, key messages, appropriate channels, project objectives and brand.
▪ Support Programmes teams with creation of communications content for all projects,
campaigns and key events.
▪ Create or adapt online and printed communications materials – over-see, write and/or edit
collateral including: websites, events calendar, press releases, impact stories, case studies,
info graphs, brochures and printed materials to a variety of internal and external audiences
including major donors and prospects, industry specific networks, and the general public.
▪ Manage relationships with media stakeholders and publicity campaigns managed by partners
and contracted agencies.
▪ Proactively seek media placements for British Council stories, where publicity is managed
internally. Ensure maximum coverage of campaigns, events, case studies, and projects.
▪ Generate social media plans to support country impact and activities, align in-country plans
with regional approaches to social media, and manage evaluation and analysis of social media
engagement to improve engagement with target audiences.
▪ Liaise with the regional comms to ensure on time feeds to various internal comms platforms.
Proactively produce content for regional and global intranet and bulletins.
▪ Collaborate with and manage agencies including those providing press and publicity services,
graphic design, web and digital design, photography, sound recording, videography, etc.
▪ Advocates for cross-SBU collaboration and identifies opportunities for joint promotions focusing
on corporate SDG priorities.
▪ Oversee the development of collateral produced in-house, by vendors, with or by partners to
ensure appropriate brand, identity and key messages are reflected across all products.
▪ Manage the collection of Results and Evidence data and impact stories data and provide
analysis that supports the country communications goals.
▪ Support project teams to be able to identify communications risks and be familiarised with risk-
management protocols to protect the reputation of the British Council.
▪ Create systems for supporting identification and engagement with alumni and with media and
oversee event management when required.
▪ Support new opportunities to enhance corporate communications working with the Head of
Communications, to develop high visibility campaigns leading through impactful stories, thought
leadership pieces and high-profile events from our portfolio.

Key relationships

Internal
▪ Country Marketing team
▪ Country Programme Leads (Education, Society, and Arts)
▪ Country Head of Insights and Analytics
▪ Country Business Development Manager
▪ Regional Head of Communication
▪ Global Communication team leads
▪ Global Brand and Corporate Events team
▪ Marketing Community of Practice advocates and members

External
▪ Country press and media
▪ Vendors / suppliers/ agencies

3 Communications Manager | May 2019 | British Council

▪ BHC communication team
▪ UK Alumni networks
▪ Communication professionals from Programmes’ partner and stakeholder organisations
▪ Other relevant stakeholders

Role requirements

Threshold requirements: Assessment stage

Passport requirements/ You must have the right to live and work in Shortlisting
Right to work in country the country in which the role is based.

Direct contact or No N/A

managing staff working
with children?

Notes Occasional national and international travel

and unsocial/evening hours working

ID, local/international police record check,

qualification and reference checks are
required for external candidates.

Person Specification: Assessment stage

Language requirements
Essential Desirable Assessment Stage
Good spoken and written English English at IELTS 7.5 level Shortlisting

Good spoken and written Bangla

Qualifications
Minimum / essential Desirable Assessment Stage
Relevant degree e.g. communications, Training on media and Shortlisting
media and journalism, English, journalism, creative writing,
marketing, BBA or equivalent level of development communications,
qualification social media and online
platforms

Role specific knowledge & experience

Minimum / essential Desirable Assessment Stage
▪ Overall five years of experience with ▪ Three years’ experience in Shortlisting
one year in a similar role. a communications position
▪ Considerable experience in creating at an international
communications campaigns for organisation
different audiences across different ▪ Adept in development
platforms communications and SDGs
▪ Considerable experience in working narratives
in a matrix situation with multiple ▪ Experience of writing
impact stories, success
stakeholders and deadlines at a time
stories, and knowledge
▪ Demonstrable experience in sharing pieces
managing press and media relations ▪ Experience in managing
▪ Demonstrable experience in communication campaigns
managing social media campaigns across sectors, products

4 Communications Manager | May 2019 | British Council

▪ Demonstrable experience in and services including
managing websites and intranets promoting messages
▪ Demonstrable experience in event relating to value
management propositions
▪ Excellent written and spoken Bangla ▪ Experience of event
and English language skills management
▪ Ability to work in a way that ▪ Attention to detail, ability to
promotes the safety and wellbeing of work quickly and
children. independently, prioritise
and meet strict deadlines
and be flexible.

Role specific skills Assessment Stage

Government Communication Service Professional Competency Shortlisting AND

Framework Interview

Insight (Level 2)
• Review existing sources of insight (including previous
communication activity) to understand the overall context for
communication and audience influences/influencers.
• Use insight to identify target audiences and partners, support
decision making and help inform the overall communication
approach.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the communication objectives
and how these support the British Council’s business objectives.
Ideas (Level 3)
• Demonstrate flexible, creative thinking. Test and refine ideas to
develop innovative solutions.
• Confirm segmentation to ensure audiences are targeted
effectively.
• Ensure the most appropriate and cost effective channels mix and
maximise the potential of digital channels.
• Develop plans, considering resources and budgets. Identify risks
and plan mitigating actions.
• Embed evaluation and tracking into communication strategies.
Determine evaluation criteria and consider how to assess the
impact of communication.
Implementation (Level 3)
• Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing,
including digital channels, to maximise understanding and
impact.
• Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support
delivery of business outcomes.
• Demonstrate strong written communication skills.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues on writing clearly for
target audiences.
Impact (Level 3)
• Have responsibility for managing communication strategies,
projects and teams.
• Analyse evidence to assess effectiveness of communication and
identify lessons learned

5 Communications Manager | May 2019 | British Council

British Council Core Skills Assessment Stage

Managing Project (Level 2) - Analyses project data Shortlisting AND

Examines project data and performance, reporting on progress and Interview
recommending corrective action as needed.

Communicating and Influencing (Level 2) - Relates communications

to circumstances
Displays good listening, writing and speaking skills, setting out logical
arguments clearly and adapting language and form of communication to
meet the needs of different people/audiences.

Planning and Organising (Level 2) - Plans ahead

Organises own work over weeks and months, or plans ahead for others,
taking account of priorities and the impact on other people.

Using technology (Level 2) - Operates as an advanced user

Works as an advanced practitioner in the use of office software and/or
British Council standard and social media platforms and trains or coaches
others in their use.

Managing risks (Level 1) - Follows good practices

Demonstrates understanding of risk management policies and
procedures and record of following them.

British Council Behaviours Assessment Stage

The following behaviours will be assessed during the interview: Interview

Working together (most demanding)

Creating the environment in which others who have different aims can
work together

Connecting with others (more demanding)

Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others

Making it happen (more demanding)

Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results

These behaviours will not be assessed at interview but will be used for
performance management:

Shaping the future (Essential)

Looking for ways in which we can do things better

Being accountable (Essential)

Delivering my best work in order to meet my commitments

Creating shared purpose (Essential)

Communicating an engaging picture of how we can work together

Adapted by Date

Arshia Aziz, Director Marketing May 2019

6 Communications Manager | May 2019 | British Council

“The British Council believes that all children have potential and that every child matters -
everywhere in the world. The British Council affirms the position that all children have the right
to be protected from all forms of abuse as set out in article 19, UNCRC, 1989”

“The British Council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity. Our policy aims to ensure that
no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age,
disability, ethnicity, religion or marital status. We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates
who meet the essential criteria”

7 Communications Manager | May 2019 | British Council