View Vacancy – Open Societies Adviser

The British Embassy in Tunis invites applications for the position of Open Societies Adviser grade C5 (L).

Main purpose of the job:

The UK’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) is a cross government fund, which supports and delivers activity to tackle instability and prevent conflicts, which threaten UK interests. The CSSF has been active in Tunisia since 2015.

As part of the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) the responsibility of this post is to set, oversee and deliver HMG’s strategy for promoting and supporting an ‘Open Society’ in Tunisia. Supporting an ‘Open Society’ means working to support Tunisia’s active civil society and promote human rights, free media, gender equality and good governance.

To progress these aims, the jobholder will build and maintain the embassy’s existing relationships with a large range of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Tunisia and other key partners involved in the areas mentioned above. They will provide analysis and insight and take a strategic view in providing advice to the embassy.  In your role as the Open Societies Adviser, you will ensure Gender Equality Act compliance and support CSSF ambitions on women’s economic opportunities, inclusive growth and poverty reduction through your team.

In addition, this jobholder will oversee UK-funded programmes that partner organisations are delivering, adapting them flexibly as necessary and ensuring they achieve the desired impacts. 

Main duties and responsibilities:

1. Strategy Development – Developing and owning a coherent Open Society Strategy for the Embassy, which incorporates programming and political and communications tools; engaging proactively with colleagues across the embassy and in London to share understanding and ensure a coherent UK approach in Tunisia.
2. Leading the Embassy’s Open Societies’ policy with a strong focus on Civil Society – Working closely with the Head of Political and programme team to set a vision for the UK’s approach to supporting Tunisia’s open society. Bring together synergies from work across the embassy to enhance UK-Tunisia cooperation. Ensure our policy is evidence-based and that contributions support delivery of the strategy.
3. Analysis – Provide high-quality analysis and reporting on issues affecting Tunisia’s Open Society. Synthesise large amounts of information and cut through to what is really happening. Play a leading role in the embassy’s wider policy-making by producing accurate and timely reporting (including diptels, analysis, ad-hoc briefings) on Open Society issues and opportunities and obstacles to UK engagement.
4. Programme Management – Oversee the design and implementation of programmes to support Open Societies, and manage relationships with partners delivering programmes in these areas. Ensure the highest standards in the use of all public funds, including exceptional value for money, gender, conflict and disability sensitivity, and human rights compliance.
5. Develop networks across the Tunisian CSO ecosystem – Build, maintain and mobilise a network of senior local and central government, NGO, and CSO partners to inform UK understanding of the Tunisian civic space and other issues included in Open Societies.
6. Engage and influence other Tunisian and international partners on this theme – Closely co-ordinate with national and international partners to ensure complementarity, and creatively achieve a greater impact than we would acting alone.
7. Lead on gender sensitivity across the Embassy’s programming – Connect with gender experts in London and ensure the full range of UK programming in Tunisia is compliant with gender sensitivity requirements and works to progress gender equality, where possible.
8. Staff Management -Task management of one B3 office supporting the programme delivery. Ensure co-ordination across the team and actively promoting learning and development within your team.
9. Corporate – Promote a positive working environment in the wider embassy through a significant corporate role, such as chairing a crosscutting committee or campaign (e.g. Wellbeing Campaign, Health and Safety Committee or Learning and Development Committee).

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key competencies required:

• Seeing the Big Picture – This is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.
• Collaborating and Partnering – People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done. 
• Leading and Communicating – Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.
• Delivering at Pace – Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. It’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. 

• Experience of working in or with the Tunisian CSO sector, or substantial previous experience of working on Open Societies issues in Tunisia.
• A degree or significant experience in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of the Tunisian political, social and economic context.
• Excellent communication skills in English, French and Arabic both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, relationship development and management skills, capable of operating at all organisational levels. Experience of developing relationships, maintaining a wide range of relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders. Recognises the importance of developing a strong professional network.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Experience of programme management or willingness to learn.
• Creative problem-solver who exercises sound judgement.