Find More Than 10K+
United Kingdom Jobs

The British Consulate-General in Montreal is recruiting for a Political and Public Affairs Officer. This is a varied, challenging and exciting role offering unique opportunities working in a diplomatic mission and for personal development. The position is offered on a permanent, full-time basis. The jobholder must be fully bilingual, able to operate in both French and English at the highest level.

The British Consulate-General in Montreal represents the UK Government in Quebec. We are part of a network of five UK Government offices in Canada. The Political and Public Affairs Officer is responsible for advancing UK policy and prosperity objectives in Quebec, reporting on Quebec political and policy developments, working with a range of stakeholders to foster cooperation between British and provincial partners, and promoting UK interests through communications and public diplomacy activities.

The jobholder will be part of the small yet dynamic and inclusive Consulate team, working closely with the Consul General as well as colleagues leading on trade and investment promotion and science and innovation collaboration. They will also be fully integrated into the UK Government’s network of staff across Canada, especially as part of its Media and Public Affairs Team.

Roles and responsibilities

• Monitor, analyse and report on Quebec political and policy developments including on provincial politics, the economy, climate change and other issues of interest to the UK.
• Plan and organise programmes for official UK visitors including ministers and senior officials; produce briefing and accompany to/report meetings where required.
• Oversee visits by the Consul General to Quebec City and other provincial destinations; produce briefing and accompany to/report meetings where required.
• Maintain excellent relations with Quebec government stakeholders with a view to strengthening the bilateral relationship and facilitating collaboration and policy exchange.
• Develop contacts for the Consul General and wider team in the Quebec government, business, civil society and academia. Spot and harness opportunities for collaboration with UK partners.
• Initiate and work with other teams to plan, implement and deliver public diplomacy events and activities, including receptions, policy roundtables and other soft power opportunities and public speaking engagements for the Consul General.
• Work closely with Trade and Investment and Science and Innovation colleagues on projects that advance the UK’s commercial and scientific relationship with Quebec partners.
• Act as the Media and Public Affairs team lead on engagement with francophone media across Canada, including preparing the High Commissioner for French language interviews; implement broader francophone communications strategy.
• Monitor major media outlets in Quebec; analyse and report on issues relating to UK priorities in Quebec and Canada.
• Keep a log of provincial media outlets (TV, print and radio, online) and key journalists, proactively establishing good relations through regular contact; establish good relations with communication departments in the private and public sector.
• Identify and exploit potential areas of media interest in Quebec that align with the UK’s objectives and strategic communications plan.
• Assist the Consul General in preparing for media engagements; track analytics and create reports of local media engagements.
• Work with the communications team across the network to develop and implement national communication campaigns.
• Leverage social media in both French and English to promote UK policy, commercial objectives and activities in Quebec. Advise and draft tweets and Linkedin posts/blogs for the Consul General. Produce and edit video content for social media.
• Take on additional corporate responsibilities according to organisational needs and own interests.

Must have the legal status to live and work in Canada. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Essential on arrival:

• Level of language must be fully bilingual, able to operate in both English and French at the highest level, both orally and in writing. This will be tested during the recruitment process.
• A good general understanding of Quebec politics, history, economy, culture and societal issues.
• Experience in at least one of the following: political or policy work; public affairs work including events or visits management; media and communications experience or training.
• We genuinely welcome applicants from all backgrounds – if this is your dream job, please apply!

• Knowledge of and interest in the UK.
• Experience of working in a diplomatic mission or in a government organisation; experience of working with diverse stakeholders (e.g. business, civil society, academia, political, government).
• Technical communications skills e.g. video editing, speech-writing.

We offer enriching learning and development opportunities for all staff. The jobholder will be encouraged to undertake developmental training relevant to the position and to and participate in wider learning and development opportunities. The role is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills in political analysis and reporting, stakeholder engagement, events management, digital communications and press handling.

Working patterns

We promote flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.