Main purpose of the role:

The Chevening and Political Officer’s main responsibility will be to lead and manage the Chevening Scholarship Programme and the implementation of a strategy to promote the UK as a leader in the education sector in Colombia. The post holder will also have administrative and programme management tasks to support the Political Section planning and organising high-level and technical events and missions, and contributing to the political section’s political engagement across a number of UK Government objectives. The role will thus create opportunities for the UK in Colombia, across all the range of embassy priorities. The successful candidate will create and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, and support the wider Political Section, Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador in their political engagements.

Roles and responsibilities:

Chevening (60%)

• Manage the Chevening Scholarship Award; delivering successful programme management of the entire candidate selection process, marketing and promotion; including engagement with key stakeholders. 
• Manage the Colombia Chevening Scholarship Programme brand and stakeholders effectively, including planning and delivery of pre-departure and orientation events.
• Deliver promotional conferences and panels and lead in all Alumni engagement communications and activities. 
• Serve as academic liaison to increase opportunities, brand recognition and build profile in Colombia. Support an inclusive and diverse programme of students and alumni. 
• Lead and oversee communications and marketing opportunities to increase participation and secure of sponsorship opportunities, working with the Communications Team.
• Manage overall financial and staff resources.

Political Section (40%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to promote UK as a destination for education (focus in Higher Education) in Colombia
• Identify and manage relations with key stakeholders in the public and private sector in Education. 
• Seek other opportunities to deliver the Embassy’s soft power strategy, creating strategic engagements to deliver the UK’s public diplomacy work in Colombia (including with the British Council).
• Provide programme management, administrative and budget support for the Political Section, especially focusing on procurement, logistics, invoicing, budgets, organising key electronic files on Microsoft Teams, preparing minutes and calendar updates. 
• Support the Political Section to deliver policy objectives, strategic communications and awareness of current affairs through reporting and support to political engagements. This includes planning, organising and supporting high-level visits, working level events, liaising with external stakeholders, drafting and sending invites, following up on attendance and agendas, contributing to briefs, compiling meeting minutes.

Resources managed:

• Manage 1 intern (depending on peak seasons).
• Manage Programme Fund with a yearly budget of £500,000.
• Manage Special Projects on an ad hoc basis

The successful candidate will have access to mentoring and job shadowing, as well as the opportunity to work on cross-embassy teams or projects. There will be scope for participation in learning opportunities provided by the L&D committee and / or wider Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

• Strong interest in political and international affairs.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal abilities
• Excellent spoken and written communication in English and Spanish.
• Budget management experience
• Event management experience.
• Confident with public speaking