Communications Intern, CHEB26-009127

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Who are we? 

The British Embassy in Berne is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Berne is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests. We are recruiting a Communications Intern for a 6 months period.

We are offering you the opportunity to be part of a friendly and supportive working environment, working across the whole of the Embassy on a myriad of projects and campaigns. This is an exciting and fast-moving role, and you will work on a wide array of issues from event management and digital communications/diplomacy to public diplomacy.

We are looking for a highly organised, dynamic, creative, and proactive individual, who has experience in communications, marketing, event management, public diplomacy or a similar relevant field, with evidence of good inter-personal, time management and analytical skills. You will need to be able to think quickly on your feet and manage priorities effectively. Confidence, judgement, writing skills, languages, and teamwork are essential qualities. 

To be able to get the most out of their time in the team, applicants should enjoy adapting quickly to new processes, take on organisational tasks with confidence and respond flexibly to competing demands and priorities; demonstrate initiative and creative thinking to help the embassy develop and shape communication campaigns that will emphasise and amplify the work British Embassy Berne; have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Digital communications and social media support: 

• Supporting the day-to-day management of the Embassy’s social media channels, with a particular focus on Instagram, reflecting the platform’s growing strategic importance and resource intensity.
• Assisting with content creation for digital campaigns, including drafting copy, creating simple graphics, and editing short-form video content where appropriate.
• Helping monitor performance across social media platforms and contributing to reporting on engagement, audience growth, and content effectiveness.
• Researching and mapping relevant media contacts, content creators, and digital stakeholders to support audience growth and engagement.
• Supporting communications activity for major campaigns, which may involve travel support, set-up and coordination. 

Event and operational communications support: 

• Providing practical support for Embassy events, visits, and public diplomacy activities with logistics and delivery during busy event periods.
• Contributing to event preparation and delivery for communications-led activity, while coordinating with other teams as required and in line with business needs. 

Media mapping and monitoring support:

• Monitoring relevant Swiss and Liechtenstein media coverage and contributing to regular media summaries for internal stakeholders.
• Conducting structured media mapping exercises by topic or sector. This includes identifying key journalists, commentators, and outlets to support proactive media engagement and campaign planning.
• Maintaining and updating media and stakeholder lists to support the Embassy’s wider communications and policy work. 

Asset management, administrative and wider team support: 

• Developing and maintaining an inventory of communications and event assets.
• Producing guidance notes for communications items to help support Embassy staff.
• Providing general administrative support to the Communications Team, including stakeholder tracking, background research, drafting support and assistance with planning documents. 

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Excellent English and German language skills (C1 level or above under the CEFR*)
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
• Excellent social media skills (X, FB, LinkedIn etc), including in the latest advances (apps, trends, etc.).
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines, working at a fast pace, helping to plan forward thinking campaigns based around fixed dates, and to multi-task effectively.
• Experience of designing visuals and graphics for social media, including skills in photography, video editing skills, sound, and music. Knowledge of Canva or the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Customer focus, including the ability to work effectively with external stakeholders
• IT proficiency (MS Office).

Nice to have:

• Experience of writing for professional purposes, including social media posts, internal communications, research and report writing
• Degree-level qualification, preferably in communications, marketing or a related field.
• Experience of working in an office environment, in particular in communications, marketing or a related field. 
• Knowledge of the Swiss and Liechtenstein media scene, including journalists; social media audiences; influencers; bloggers, etc.
• Knowledge of French. 

Required behaviours  

Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service