View Vacancy – Political Officer (GEO20.427)

Note: Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.

The British Embassy in Tbilisi is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and we are now looking for a Political Officer for a Maternity leave cover.

Main purpose of job:

Political reporting and analysis; maintaining contacts with relevant local partners and project implementers and providing insights across the following areas:

1. Conflict Issues – political reporting and analysis; maintaining contacts with relevant local partners and project implementers;

2. International Fund – liaison with project implementers, managing budget and process;

3. Minority issues – reporting and political input into programme activity;

4. Cyber issues – providing insights and maintaining contacts with relevant local partners and project implementers;

5. External relations – providing regular reporting on topical issues of interest.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Conflict

–  Policy analysis of issues relating to the breakaway areas of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in relation to country context and regional perspective and how regional political developments impact on these areas;

–  Produce regular thematic reporting on developments in conflict affected areas relevant to the UK;

–  Advising CSSF Programme team on the priorities and directions to be considered in Georgia CSSF programming;

– Providing policy steer to the CSSF Georgia project officer (attending events, providing quarterly policy updates on development, risks and opportunities).

• International Fund

– Manage International Fund by providing regular updates to the Embassy policy team, liaising with the implementers and assuring the accurate process is in place;

– Oversight of International Fund finances to be accurately forecasted and spent;

– Assure that the Embassy policy fund has robust procedures and following to the guidance set by London.

• Ethnic and Religious Minority Work

– Regular reporting and policy input to be provided into programme activities;

– Regular in depth reporting on topical issues of interest relating to ethnic or religious minority in the country.

• Cyber Security

– Providing insights and maintaining contacts with relevant local partners and project implementers in support of UKB programme and policy leads.

• External Relations

– Provide regular reporting on topical issues of interest.

• Proficient in English, Georgian and Russian (both written and spoken);
• Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in political studies or related field;
• A minimum 1-2 years of relevant working experience;
• In-depth understanding of internal political issues in Georgia, including around the breakaway areas of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and within minority/ethnic communities;
• Understanding of conflict sensitivity protocols in reporting and programming;
• Solid analytical, reporting and drafting skills essential;
• Have the ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people and stakeholders (government, civil society, political parties, etc.) and undertake high level outward facing and representational work;
• Be a self-starter/proactive and show evidence of strong leadership skills.