The British Embassy in Kinshasa is looking to recruit a Political Officer for the Eastern DRC Unit. The eDRC Unit leads the delivery of UK objectives in eastern DRC, ensuring a joined up and coherent approach to the range of UK interests in this critical location – seeking resolution to a 20-year conflict, and responding to some of the most acute displacement and humanitarian needs on the continent. You will be responsible for political and conflict reporting on the Eastern DRC. This includes maintaining effective relationships with provincial government, civil society, provincial political parties and MPs, NGOs, implementing partners, the World Bank, UN agencies, and other diplomatic missions. The successful candidate will provide the Embassy with expert insights and advice on the East of the DRC, build and maintain effective relationships with external contacts, contribute to a strong UK-DRC relationship through support to regular visits by senior officials and ministers from the UK, and operate as part of a motivated, supportive and high performing team. This busy and interesting job requires a flexible worker who can contribute to a fast-paced environment. We are looking for a highly motivated individual, able to demonstrate an active interest in and understanding of regional affairs and foreign policy. It provides an excellent opportunity for someone with a keen interest in international issues, who would like to develop their political analysis and communication skills.

Roles and Responsibilities

Political Reporting on Eastern DRC (50%): Provide regular quality political analysis, including drafting regular briefings, written reports and updates on issues in eastern DRC, including political, conflict, and humanitarian issues. Provide first drafts of briefings, as required, for the Ambassador, Development Director, and senior visitors to engage key stakeholders with clear policy positions.

Technical (20%): Provide sound technical and advice on conflict, humanitarian and peacekeeping issues in eastern DRC, with guidance and oversight from Kinshasa-based conflict and humanitarian advisers. Demonstrate interest and capability to further develop conflict and/or humanitarian technical skills in line with the FCDO technical competency frameworks, supported by Kinshasa-based conflict and humanitarian advisers.

Representational (25%): Represent HMG in external engagements, for example with local and international NGOs, analysts, UN, MONUSCO, civil society, religious leaders, and provincial government. Build and maintain this network of contacts, leading many of these relationships independently. Represent HMG at weekly external humanitarian coordination meetings (COPH).

Cross-embassy support (5%): the Job Holder may be required to support other work across the office as required, such as field visit and VIP visit coordination. This list is not exhaustive, and responsibilities may change in response to business need, but staff will always be consulted beforehand.

• A minimum of two years working in a political, conflict or humanitarian field
• fluency in French, English and Swahili both orally and in written communication.
• Experience of political and/or conflict reporting · Extensive networks of contacts in Eastern DRC
• Proven ability to network to build and leverage relationships
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as political science
• Clear, compelling communication skills (oral and written) with an ability to tailor communications to different audiences and build personal relationships with ease.
• Excellent research and briefing skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to be a team player, flexible, and work to tight deadlines
• Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).