The work of Information Officer (IO) Grade is broadly divided into the following three streams :
(a) General : News and public relations work
(b) Design : Design and artwork
(c) Photo: Photo-taking services, video recording and video editing
The recruitment rank for the grade is normally at Assistant Information Officer level. Appointment to IO rank and above is mainly through internal promotion. Direct recruitment will be conducted as and when necessary.
There are dozens of varied jobs within the Information Services Department (ISD) and in other departments. Officers are given the opportunity to work as many as their talents allow:
(a) News Services
Work includes issuing press releases, features, services, statements on government policy, routine notices, weather reports and answering enquiries.
(b) Publicity
Work includes organising government major campaigns and publicity programmes, producing exhibitions, publicity videos and publications, and managing social media channels.
(c) Media Research
A team of ISD staff is deployed to the Media Research Sub-division which specialises in collecting public opinions and keeping track of views expressed through mass media and social media closely. Besides keeping a close watch on newspapers and magazines, it also produces daily media summaries featuring editorial comments as well as major news of the day in the morning, and compile special reports on topical subjects to make sure the top echelon of the government stays abreast of the public’s views and reaction to government policies.
(d) Overseas Public Relations
Promoting Hong Kong globally, which includes liaising closely with foreign media organisations based in Hong Kong, handling press enquiries, providing news and information, arranging press briefings and interviews, running visit programmes for visiting journalists and monitoring Hong Kong-related reports by media outside Hong Kong. Information Officers deployed to government offices outside Hong Kong provide news and information to the public and the media in the local area, and assist in staging publicity activities to promote the advantages of Hong Kong. A range of publications are produced for distribution overseas and video clips for use in promotion activities.
(e) Public Relations
Most government departments have information units staffed by ISD officers. Secretariat Press Offices are also set up to provide professional PR support to the bureaux. The above units/offices advise department/bureau heads on public relations matters, answer press queries and questions from the public and write press releases which are issued through ISD newsroom. They also organise press conferences, special promotional projects, and other media events for their departments/bureaux. In some cases, ISD officers need to accompany department/bureau heads on trips to overseas conferences and exhibitions. Information Officers are also deployed to overseas government offices to take charge of public relation matters in the respective offices.
There is regular on-the-job training for Information Officers at all levels and some are selected for management or job related courses conducted in Mainland or overseas. Besides training in the particular skills needed in ISD, staff also take general civil service courses organised by Civil Service College. These include classes in management and administration.
New recruits are given a short familiarisation programme and a basic information course. Throughout their careers Information Officers are given refresher courses to polish their professional skills.
Newly-appointed officers are usually posted to various sub-divisions of ISD headquarters for on-the-job training. Later, they may be moved to information units attached to other government departments to widen their experience.
Staff at all levels are transferred to different posts at appropriate intervals to maximise their range of experience.
Working for ISD means never being stuck in a rut. There are dozens of varied jobs within the department and officers are given the opportunity to work at as many as their talents allow.
The hierarchy of the Information Officer Grade consists of :
As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the Government is committed to eliminating discrimination in employment. Our vacancy is open to all applicants meeting the basic entry requirement irrespective of their disabilities. It is our policy to place people with a disability in appropriate jobs wherever possible. If a disabled candidate meets the entry requirements, he/she will be invited to attend the selection interview/written examination without being subject to further shortlisting. As at 31 March 2023, ISD has ten employees with disabilities.
