View Vacancy – Prosperity Officer (Maternity Leave Cover)

Main purpose of job:

To deliver the UK’s prosperity agenda in Panama, reporting directly to the Regional Director of Economic Affairs, to:

a) Lead a number of embassy Prosperity campaigns, including in financial services, transparency, anti-corruption and bureaucracy;

b) Develop and oversee Prosperity projects in Panama, supported by the embassy’s projects officer;

c) Build partnerships with Panama’s government to promote economic reform and sustainability; and promote the UK’s economic and business reputation;

d) Work with the local DIT team in highlighting potential medium- to long-term commercial opportunities for the UK in Panama.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

This is a great opportunity to engage closely with government, the private sector and other stakeholders to work towards economic growth and development in both Panama and the UK. The UK’s Prosperity Agenda is focussed on unlocking growth in developing countries, and increasing trade and investment between them and the UK. The role will put the successful applicant right at the centre of this work in Panama, leading on a number of campaigns and delivering outcomes that benefit both countries.

The job holder will lead on financial services, transparency, anti-corruption and bureaucracy. This will involve supporting government development plans, helping to remove barriers to growth and development in these sectors, and ensuring that UK companies are well placed to get involved in commercial opportunities that this creates. While the job holder will focus on these areas, there will be a wide range of wider economic diplomacy issues that will come up which the job holder will need to respond to; the job will suit an active self-starter who can work independently and identify and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.   There will also be an element of support to the Director of Economic Affairs on wider regional issues across Central America.

To support the delivery of these objectives the role also involves line management responsibilities of the Embassy’s Projects Officer and an Intern, giving them support and direction and ensuring they are able to manage the delivery of the embassy’s projects.

The successful applicant will need to prove that they have good judgement, a solid track record in delivering results and can work independently to achieve well defined goals. The successful applicant will also need to possess strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills to create collaborative partnerships that advance UK objectives. The role requires flexibility, resilience and the ability to learn quickly to adapt to changing priorities and requirements.

Language requirements: 

Language: English and Spanish

Level of language required: Fluent in both, oral and written

Other skills / experience / qualifications: 

• Knowledge of local politics;
• Strong communications skills, both written and oral;
• Good networker;
• Excellent levels of English and Spanish.