View Vacancy – Policy Adviser – Economics and Social Policy Team

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Washington, DC is seeking a Policy Adviser to join its Economics and Social Policy Team.  The team is responsible for economic, financial, health and social policy issues and works to promote the relevant UK policy interests in the US, and to inform UK policy development. The team is also responsible for the Embassy’s work on G7 and G20; the UK’s G7 Presidency in 2021 makes this an especially exciting time.

We are looking for a policy adviser who can bring core policy and analytical skills to a diverse portfolio and adapt to changing priorities over time, working effectively across teams in a matrix structure.

You will have responsibility for developing and coordinating UK health and education policy engagement for the US (including on immediate and longer-term pandemic response policies and US political developments relating to the healthcare agenda) and play a key role in delivering relevant UK objectives. 

You will also support the team’s work on its broader economic and social policy objectives and take the lead in the team for specific economic and social policy issues reporting on developments in the US, advising seniors and feeding into policy development in London. 

You will be willing and able to get to grips with new and emerging aspects of economic, social and health policy quickly in order to be credible with subject matter experts, and be able to support other members of the team.

You will work closely with other sections of the Embassy and colleagues across the US network (including Consuls General and Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America). You will form close working relationships with policy leads in London (in particular in the FCDO, Cabinet Office, Department for Health and Social Care, Department for Education, Government Equalities Office and the Department for Work and Pensions).  

Externally, you will be expected to engage with a wide range of US stakeholders, including business, academia, government and Congress

Roles and responsibilities:

This is a cross-cutting and dynamic role you will deliver effectively by working across multiple Embassy teams.

• Embassy policy lead across health, education, and social policy issues;
• Establishing and maintaining senior contacts across the US Government, the think tank community and academia on health, economic and social policy issues;
• Shaping UK policy through the dissemination of ‘best practice’ and knowledge between the US and the UK in relevant policy areas;
• Advising Embassy Counsellors and the British Ambassador to the United States on relevant policy developments;
• Representing the United Kingdom at relevant events (seminars, official functions etc) around DC and elsewhere in the US network;
• Explaining relevant UK policy to US audiences;
• Managing Cabinet Ministers and other senior visitors to the United States on relevant policy themes.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Staff: not currently foreseen but opportunities may arise.

Budget to cover project expenditure, hospitality and travel.

• A minimum of 3-4 years relevant government, commercial or civil society experience is preferred.   Fewer years of experience will be considered for candidates with advanced degrees or exceptional, relevant experience.
• The successful candidate would ideally have detailed knowledge of some or all of the following: health, economic and social policy; stakeholder engagement; Congress and the Administration; and the US legislative/regulatory process.
• Proven ability to form professional relationships and build trust with a wide range of contacts.
• Must be a proven self-starter with the ability to work independently and proactively, and as a part of a team.
• Proven ability to work effectively across a multi-team structure to ensure a joined-up and holistic approach.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) and a proven track record of translating a wide range of data and political reporting into concise briefing is essential.  
• Attention to detail, strong judgment, problem-solving abilities and service delivery.
• Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.