Job Profile Summary
Responsible for developing and delivering engaging communications content to achieve objectives whilst maintaining alignment of communication channels with other communications teams and country/regional priorities, ensuring compliance with Group communication policies, procedures and standards.
Job advert
The external communications advisor, Southern Africa will drive value by partnering with business clients and C&EA colleagues to deliver communications plans – clearly demonstrating the link between desired business outcome, audience needs and chosen communications activities.
S/he will need to work as part of a small team, building strong relationships with business leaders and helping them to effectively and creatively achieve their communication objectives – in particular in the retail business.
Responsibilities include:
Business acumen: develop an understanding of business needs and priorities so that communication support is focused on achieving the highest strategic impact. Leverage understanding of audiences and stakeholders to anticipate issues and share insights. Ensure all communications activities carried out are compliant with the BP communications policy and procedures.
Communications delivery: you’ll have a flair for creating effective and engaging external communication strategies and campaigns and be familiar with all traditional and digital communications tactics.
Accountabilities include:
Maintenance of media lists, daily news media monitoring and reporting
Website monitoring and update of content
Working in close cooperation with the various business: preparing external communiques, drafting of responses to customer enquiries and complaints, attending team meetings to align on projects and required support
Proactively identifying and driving opportunities to position the business activities
Working with the Marketing team to develop communications plans and content for various campaigns
Getting content approved by stakeholders including communications manager, Southern Africa, legal and the business
Measurement and insight: monitor the effectiveness of external communications activity and provide insights into the data. Evaluate the impact against desired outcomes and key performance indicators, course-correcting as required.
Nothing matters more than safety. You’ll participate in crisis communications exercises and training as required, minimising BP Southern Africa’s reputational risk by supporting the business to be prepared for operational incidents, legal cases or cyber-attack. In the event of a crisis, acting as the communications manager’s deputy on the incident management team
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or >5 years’ experience external affairs, journalism, CSI communications, media liaison, community management or communications agency background.
Must haves:
Relevant experience in communications, external affairs and/or brand management in a global, complex or matrixed organisation
Strong verbal and written English communication skills with an attention to detail. Able to convey technical or complex information simply, effectively and creatively
Knowledge of channel management and communications best practices:
tactics and tools to drive awareness and understanding across various stakeholder groups;
understanding of social media, story-telling, visualisation, and communities/networks to achieve desired results.
Persistence, flexibility and an engaging, self-motivated style are essential, as is a pragmatic, action-orientated approach
Demonstrates resilience, flexibility, and a willingness to explore different paths to achieve outcomes and adjusts quickly and efficiently to new circumstances.
Excellent organizational and project management skills using Microsoft Office 365 tools
Segment
Downstream
Job Family Group
Communications & External Affairs Group
Relocation available
No
Travel required
Yes – up to 25%
Country
South Africa
About BP
At BP, we’re involved in every aspect of the energy system. With over 73,000 employees in 78 countries, we’re constantly working towards delivering light, heat and mobility to millions of people, every day. And with our Downstream business producing refined petroleum products, creating premium brand lubricants, delivering 11.9m tonnes of petrochemicals and supplying distinctive fuels and retail services through 18,700 retail sites, they’re helping us meet the biggest demands of the world.
As part of our Downstream team, you’ll help deliver high-quality products and services that meet all of our customers’ needs, all while growing and achieving your career’s biggest goals. Join BP and help us change the way we power up the world.
