Political, Comms, Content Officer

Main Purpose of Job: This is a new role based in the British Consulate General Osaka to strengthen the Consulate General’s ability to engage strategically and project influence across West Japan. This role combines communications delivery with political and stakeholder engagement, supporting both digital content creation and senior-level interaction across West Japan. The role will sit in the newly created Connection Unit and provide communications support for priority Consulate General activity, regularly recording and producing digital social media content that resonates with priority audiences across West Japan. The role will support the Consul General and Deputy Consul General’s engagement with political and elected officials in West Japan, including Governors, Mayors, regional politicians, and city and prefectorial representatives. The role will also support the Head of the Connection Unit to deliver priority events and initiatives, including regional MUSUBI and place-based activity. What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve: - Create and deliver professional digital comms content. Work with the Consul General, Deputy Consul General and comms / media colleagues to help identify, develop and deliver comms and media opportunities to achieve the Consulate-General’s vision. Accompany the Consul General and other seniors to capture content (audio, photograph and video). Manage the Consul General’s social media accounts (X and Instagram). - Professional press handling and media relations. Work with the Osaka Comms Officer to build and maintain positive relationships with broadcast, print and online media organisations across West Japan. Respond to routine media enquiries, support identification of media opportunities for seniors and support the delivery of media activity. - Media Monitoring. Use online media and social media monitoring tools to report on coverage of West Japan comms activity and produce clear and concise regular and ad-hoc media monitoring reports. - Political engagement and reporting. Support targeted and regular political engagement across West Japan by the Consul General and other seniors with Governors, Mayors, regional politicians and other elected officials. Act as a coordination point for engagement and activity with specific political groupings. Provide factual reporting and basic analysis when necessary on political developments in West Japan. - As a member of the Connection Unit flexibly support delivery of other team priorities, including MUSUBI initiatives and delivery of place-based partnerships. - Build and maintain your own strong network of relevant contacts across West Japan. This will include media and press contacts, and political contacts including think tanks and academia. - Proactively and flexibly support Consulate-General priorities. This includes supporting top 1HMG priorities, taking on a corporate responsibility to support the office environment, and a crisis role to prepare and respond to any crisis. Essential qualifications, skills and experience: - Ability to use standard Microsoft IT systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams). - Excellent time management and organisational skills with an ability to juggle multiple priorities at once. - An ability to be flexible to successfully support delivery of evolving priorities. - The candidate will need to be able on occasion to accompany the CG to events or on regional travel. - Experience of photography, videography and editing. - Experience of tools and platforms such as Canva and social media platforms (LinkedIn, X, Instagram) and how to use them for business. Language requirements: - This role requires written and spoken proficiency in both English and Japanese. Fluency (minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework) in one language and business level (minimum of high B2) in the other.