International Affairs Manager

at  Ofcom

Closing Date:
16/09/2024
Group:
Strategy and Research Group
Management Level:
Senior Associate
Job Type:
Permanent
Job Description:
Please note this role will close at 00.01 on 16th September so we advise making your application by midnight on the 15th September.
If interested, please submit your CV, along with a covering letter of no more than one page in length outlining how you meet the skills and experience listed below.
About Ofcom
As the UK’s communications regulator, we are delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we will stay connected with each other.
Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We are also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone.
About the team you will be part of
The role sits within Ofcom’s International Team. The team is responsible for managing Ofcom’s engagement with our counterpart regulators, industry, academia and other relevant stakeholders around the world. We exchange views and share best practices on all issues of relevance to Ofcom, such as media regulation, online safety, network resilience and digital markets. We use these international insights to inform how we design and apply regulation in the UK, and to support Ofcom’s regulatory thinking and horizon-scanning work. We also share our expertise with international partners and seek to influence regulatory developments in the sectors that matter to us. We represent Ofcom globally, including through holding leadership roles in a variety of European and global forums.
The purpose and scope of the role
This post goes to the heart of what the International Team does within, and for, Ofcom. You will be responsible for delivering work primarily in our international engagement programme and our international visits programme. In addition, you will contribute to enhancing the team’s visibility across Ofcom and raising awareness of the work we do to deliver on Ofcom’s priorities. You will also support the monitoring and analysis of relevant international policy developments.

Your Key Responsibilities

• International engagement programme – you will identify policy issues, countries and stakeholders to prioritise European and international engagement opportunities for senior management. You will be responsible for project managing the preparation of Chief Executive and Group Directors’ international visits and international event/conference participation including planning, organisation and briefing, as well as travelling in support as necessary. You will also support Ofcom’s involvement in the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum’s International Network.
• International visits/virtual meetings – you will act as the primary point of contact for all incoming international visits to Ofcom, coordinating meeting requests as well as questions from overseas regulators, government ministries and industry stakeholders. As part of this, you will be collaboratively evaluating the strategic merit of each request and prioritising accordingly. You will need to liaise with colleagues internally, and host visits from international dignitaries as appropriate. You will also lead the preparation of briefings for senior management to support the visits.
• Internal coordination – you will review and coordinate practices to ensure the visibility of the team and its work across Ofcom. This will include liaising with colleagues across groups, preparing and disseminating materials in a range of formats, and acting as an internal advocate for the team and the value it can add to projects led by other teams. You will also work with the Public Policy team to provide input into relevant domestic consultations, requests for information, reviews etc.
• Intelligence gathering and sharing – you will work on the team’s programme of tracking international policy developments and horizon scanning, making sure that relevant updates are shared with the right colleagues internally, and proactively identify Ofcom projects that could benefit from international input.

What you will need to be successful in this role

Knowledge and Experience:

• Sound judgement and ability to critically evaluate the strategic value of engagement opportunities to the organisation
• Strong project management skills - organise tasks and set clear goals, managing resources wisely, while keeping an eye on progress.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate confidently to a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated experience in handling a variety of stakeholders in multi-cultural environments
• An eye for the strategic implications of international political and policy developments
• Be a team player who can work proactively and independently
• Strong networking and interpersonal skills, with a sense of diplomacy (firm but approachable), cultural awareness and flexibility.
• Knowledge of the international political landscape.
• Ability to get a high-level understanding of a range of policy issues
• Scanning Horizons: Grasp the bigger picture, foresee upcoming trends and challenges, and ensure actions and decisions are in sync with long-term objectives.
• Articulating Ideas: Express your ideas, thoughts, and information in a clear and concise manner, ensuring messages are understood by everyone.
• Owning Accountabilities: Take responsibility for your actions, decisions, and their outcomes. Show up reliably and commit to getting the job done.

Inclusivity Statement
Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do.
We are a forward-thinking, inclusive employer and recognise the value of diversity to truly make communications work for everyone. Our vision is to ensure Ofcom is a place where our people can work hard and be themselves. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. We strive to be representative of the whole of the UK and our aim is to be an employer of choice for everyone.
We champion flexible working patterns including job shares where we can. Discover more about working at Ofcom at careers.ofcom.org.uk
We strive to ensure all our recruitment information and processes are accessible to and useable by everyone. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please let our recruitment team know by emailing resourcing@ofcom.org.uk or by telephone on 0330 912 1378.
As a Disability Confident employer, we offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our advertised jobs. When you apply, you can let us know if you would like your application to be considered under this scheme (sometimes known as ‘guaranteed interview scheme’). Find out more about the scheme here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/jobs/disability-confident-scheme
Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs.
We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.
Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at
resourcing@ofcom.org.uk
or call 0330 912 1378.
As a Disability Confident employer, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here.
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/jobs/disability-confident-scheme

• International engagement programme – you will identify policy issues, countries and stakeholders to prioritise European and international engagement opportunities for senior management. You will be responsible for project managing the preparation of Chief Executive and Group Directors’ international visits and international event/conference participation including planning, organisation and briefing, as well as travelling in support as necessary. You will also support Ofcom’s involvement in the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum’s International Network.
• International visits/virtual meetings – you will act as the primary point of contact for all incoming international visits to Ofcom, coordinating meeting requests as well as questions from overseas regulators, government ministries and industry stakeholders. As part of this, you will be collaboratively evaluating the strategic merit of each request and prioritising accordingly. You will need to liaise with colleagues internally, and host visits from international dignitaries as appropriate. You will also lead the preparation of briefings for senior management to support the visits.
• Internal coordination – you will review and coordinate practices to ensure the visibility of the team and its work across Ofcom. This will include liaising with colleagues across groups, preparing and disseminating materials in a range of formats, and acting as an internal advocate for the team and the value it can add to projects led by other teams. You will also work with the Public Policy team to provide input into relevant domestic consultations, requests for information, reviews etc.
• Intelligence gathering and sharing – you will work on the team’s programme of tracking international policy developments and horizon scanning, making sure that relevant updates are shared with the right colleagues internally, and proactively identify Ofcom projects that could benefit from international input