Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political
Main purpose of job:
Working at the British High Commission in Freetown offers unrivalled opportunity to be part of the strong and historic relationship between the UK and Sierra Leone. This position is high profile and at the forefront of the political engagement between the governments of Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom. You will work closely alongside the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, Development and Defence colleagues to support our campaigns, programmes, soft power initiatives and our bilateral, political and civil society relationships.
Our work covers the full range of UK government interests – political, trade, defence, development, economics, and human rights. We operate in a fascinating, fast-paced environment, working closely with Sierra Leone on a wide range of issues that reinforce our shared values.
You will support the delivery of high quality analysis and reporting on all aspects of Sierra Leone’s domestic policy for a senior readership at Post and in London, as directed by both political secretaries. You will have responsibility for reporting on specific policy areas which could include Human Rights, Climate Change and Governance.
You will work on high profile issues, working closely with senior Sierra Leonean and British officials. You will need acute political judgement, absolute discretion, excellent judgement and exceptional communication skills. In return you will be part of an organisation which values excellence, respect and personal development, with access to all its opportunities and resources.
The Political and Projects Officer reports to the Second Secretary Political, working closely with the Second Secretary Bilateral supporting their analysis of Sierra Leone’s domestic policy, and thematic bilateral priorities as well as reaching into global affairs as they relate to your portfolios. This includes recommending action that ensures UK interests are protected and enhance on issues which are important to the bilateral relationship with Sierra Leone.
To be successful in this role you will develop and maintain a wider network of contacts across central and local government, government departments, academics and opinion makers, and have an excellent understanding of how Sierra Leone’s domestic political scene relates to the UK’s bilateral and regional priorities.
Candidates are likely to have experience working in international organisations, with a significant external relations focus and ideally bring a network of influential contacts.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Provide balanced, detailed political analysis and reporting of key issues in Sierra Leone. Themes will likely include political events and elections and; human rights; climate and the environment.
- Provide timely, insightful political analysis to UK in Sierra Leone and wider FCO network.
- Support the High Commission’s network’s cultural relations work by identifying opportunities to collaborate with central and local government, business and opinion makers.
- Ad hoc reports and research for an internal audience on significant political developments including elections, human rights and relevant policy changes.
- Build and maintain a network of civic, political and academic opinion makers in Freetown to inform reporting.
- Identify and propose project interventions in support of the British High Commission’s political priorities. Working with external partners to shape project design then oversee delivery and impact.
- Collaborate with the Communications Officer to inform the development then delivery of the BHC’s communication, engagement and campaigns strategy aligned to the High Commission’s political objectives.
- Lead on the UK’s Chevening Scholarship programme that provides post graduate study opportunities for Sierra Leoneans at Universities in the UK. Organise the process for the selection of students and prepare them for their departure to the UK. Arrange alumni networking events and promote the programme in Sierra Leone.
- Organise events which support the British High Commission’s objectives: from lunches and dinners with politicians and civil society to large receptions which promote and celebrate the UK’s partnerships in Sierra Leone.
- Act as coordinator and political support for the whole of the UK government presence in Freetown including the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
- Assist and advise the UK diplomats in their day-to-day contact with the Government of Sierra Lone and oversee the Political Section’s public correspondence.
- Be an active part in the overall British High Commission as part of our crisis response teams and supporting high profile visits such as UK Ministers and members of the Royal Family.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
- Manage international programmes with a value of about £100,000 a year. Manage the Chevening programme with a value of about £250,000 a year.
- Proven political analysis/influencing experience;
- Understanding and interest in international political and policy issues;
- Project management;
- Advanced IT skills including Excel, Word, PowerPoint;
- Fluent English.
- Working in large, complex organisations.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering Value for Money
6 October 2020
B3 (L)
Permanent
35
Africa
Sierra Leone
Freetown
British High Commission
1
SLL 4,047,709.53 (paid 13 times per year)
1 November 2020
Learning and development opportunities:
The British High Commission has an active approach to learning and development. We value and prioritise learning and development as part of everyone’s job role. It is is expected that you will undertake a personal development plan, where we will support your continuous professional development.
There are a wide range of options available for personal development including training courses, coaching and mentoring, job-shadowing, presentations and learning sets. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities. The job-holder will be required to take some specific training courses related to their role. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.
- The British High Commission in Sierra Leone maintains and develops relations between the UK and Sierra Leone. The political section is at the forefront of developing those relations and is an exciting and rewarding place to work. It is a small but busy team team enabling us to work closely and collaboratively across the the High Commission. Being a proactive, enthusiastic team player is essential for the role. It also offers the chance to be innovative, build networks, represent the UK and work strategically with colleagues to design programmes and events that will take forward our bilateral relationship with Sierra Leone.
- The role also offers the chance to learn about the workings of a High Commission and an opportunity to work strategically with colleagues to take forward our bilateral relationship with Sierra Leone. It would suit someone with an interest in politics and international relations and a positive, flexible, can-do attitude.
- Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
- Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
- The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
- Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Freetown are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Sierra Leone.
- All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
- The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
- Obtain the relevant permit
- Pay the fees for the permit
- Make arrangements to relocate
- Meet the costs to relocation
- Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
- Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-frameworkPlease note: Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5.
- Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted.
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