View Vacancy – Economic Diplomacy Programme Manager

Main Purpose of Job

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) promotes the United Kingdom’s interests overseas, supporting our citizens and businesses around the globe. The British Embassy in Santiago leads on diplomatic relations with Chile. This role is based within the Prosperity Team in Chile, the team that covers Trade Policy, Economic Diplomacy and Science and Innovation within the Embassy. The role will further the trade and economic diplomacy relationship between the UK, Chile and the wider region.

We are looking for a skilled programme manager to design, plan and oversee the implementation of a set of projects that will increase UK influence in Chile, including by building stronger collaboration with the Pacific Alliance and other multilateral international institutions. The successful candidate will be fluent in English and Spanish and have the skills to work in collaboration with government, private sector and not-for-profit organisations in delivering complex projects. In addition to the programme management responsibilities, the role will include stakeholder management and reporting on policy. Able to summarise detailed information into concise and reports written in English to inform UK strategy. Considering the fast-changing environment with the Covid-19 pandemic, there will likely be other ad-hoc duties and an opportunity to engage with the wider work of the Embassy.

The role sits within the FCDO’s Economic Diplomacy Directorate, which leads on UK government policy overseas to achieve jobs, growth and economic security by:

–        Delivering economic reforms and sustainable growth, strong economic governance and removing barriers to growth

–        Boosting free trade, tackling global economic challenges and strengthening the rules based international system

–        Using economic levers to improve the UK’s foreign policy outcomes and British business opportunities

–        Delivering projects that demonstrate value for money, development impact and strengthen economic links in partner countries while also creating opportunities for UK businesses.

The successful applicant will be based in the British Embassy, Santiago and report to the First Secretary for Economics and Trade.

The role is connected to project funding, which we expect to be confirmed until the end of March 2022. Funding for 2021-22 is yet to be confirmed and so the job offer is initially for 6 months (until the end of March 2021). We will explore the opportunity to extend the role, but these decisions will be made nearer to the time and are dependent upon other external factors.

Roles and Responsibilities

Designing, developing and overseeing implementation of a programme of activities to further the economic relationship between the UK and Chile. Objectives for projects would include, promotion of trade and investment between the two countries, promotion of economic development, clean and sustainable growth and a better business environment in Chile and the wider region, e.g. within the Pacific Alliance.

Embassy policy lead on multilateral economic institutions, building strong networks within these organisations to report on Chilean activities and opportunities for how the UK can use economic diplomacy to influence their work. Build strong partnerships with the other British Embassies in the Latin American region, to inform and collaborate on international projects. Work with UK officers to ensure best-practice project management is in place and to bid for new streams of project funding.

Work closely with other colleagues and teams in the Embassy on these goals, including the Trade and Economic Policy Officer, Head of Science and Innovation, Department for International Trade, COP and Clean Growth Unit and Political and Comms Team. The priorities for the role are: 

1. Economic Diplomacy Programme Manager (40%)

• Oversee the programme of Economic Diplomacy projects, from initial design, through development, implementation (normally with the aid of an implementation partner) and evaluation. Ensure projects are aligned with UK objectives and deliver the intended outcomes. Management of all contracts, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and financial procedures, in line with best practice. With support of Admin Officer, manage project funding and ensure projects keep to budget and on track. Where external implementation partners are involved, work on the tender process, selection and management of implementing partner.

2. Policy Lead for Multilateral Economic Institutions (25%)

• Lead on building and maintaining working relationships with multilateral economic organisations, including the Pacific Alliance, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Inter-American Development Bank, etc. with regard to Chile. Produce timely and insightful reporting on policy and understand objectives and future direction of work, to develop UK strategy and inform the design and implementation of effective projects. Input into wider economic reports and trade policy and report on intelligence and commercial leads linked to multilateral projects.

3. Project Management delivery for Prosperity Team and wider Embassy (25%)

• Embed good project management practices in the Prosperity Team and wider Embassy. Keep in contact with UK project management team and latest guidance. Seek out and design bids for sources of UK government and other sources of funding. Work with Science and Innovation Officer to design and deliver key projects, especially those with cross-border angle. Act as Secretariat of the Embassy Programme Board, chairing monthly project meeting and monitoring progress of projects across the various funding streams in the Embassy, e.g. the Covid-19 Enabling Fund, Global Britain Fund, etc. Support monitoring and implementation on two of the Covid-19 Enabling Fund projects.

4. Build regional connections and cross-border projects (10%)

• Develop links with colleagues in the Latin America region, especially those in other Pacific Alliance posts. Identify opportunities to connect economic diplomacy work and build action plan connect Chilean projects with key countries in the region. Ensure legacy of Pacific Alliance-related work beyond the Chilean presidency and onto future Presidencies.
• Any other reasonable duties that may be required, based on development of work and other circumstances

• Programmes/projects working for a commercial, government or not-for-profit organisation. Experience using project management monitoring tools (e.g. Gantt charts, Microsoft Project)
• Financial management experience (payments, procurement and budget monitoring)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (in English and Spanish) and a firm grasp of numbers and managing budgets.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship management skills with the ability to lead projects, take the initiative to deliver outcomes and building productive working relationships.

Language requirements: English and Spanish speaker

Level of language required: Fluent (at least to C1 level, written and oral) under CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)