Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political
Main purpose of job:
You are a values-driven, inquisitive, innovative, proactive and outgoing individual who has a keen interest in politics, government and human rights. You enjoy being the expert on Taiwanese politics, and enjoy sharing that expertise in both English and Mandarin. As part of the British Office team you will support the UK as a force for good in Taiwan and the world, and share our ambitions to develop the UK’s relationship with Taiwan. Your timely, well researched and accurate reporting, analysis and advice will keep colleagues in Taipei, London and the region up to date with political, social and other developments in and around Taiwan. Your effective use of existing and new networks and influential relationships will drive forward UK objectives in Taiwan. And your targeted use of well managed projects will deliver tangible and measurable practical benefits to the UK and Taiwan.
Roles and responsibilities:
Understanding the political landscape underpins much of our work at the British Office. It also drives policy-making in London. The Political Section, comprising the Head of Section, the Senior Political Analyst and the Political Officer are responsible for delivering that understanding.
The Senior Political Analyst is responsible for spotting, analysing and reporting on emerging political trends, in particular on cross-Strait, domestic political (including Taiwan’s Covid 19 response), regional security and foreign policy issues. This will require a strongly proactive approach, absorbing and distilling information from traditional, online and social media, researching specific topics and speaking to a wide range of contacts in order to gain a comprehensive understanding. Critically assessing different sources of information, making and taking responsibility for delicate judgements within the strategic parameters agreed with the Head of Section and communicating them in a timely manner is at the core of the role.
Much of the British Office’s work relies on knowing the right people and being able to influence them. The Senior Political Analyst plays an important role in planning our strategic engagement and networking in Taiwan. This will involve networking with people across government, political parties, civil society, and academia including outside of Taipei to achieve our goals.
The Political Section projects our values and interests in Taiwan. This is a wide remit, and for example includes encouraging exchange between our human rights mechanisms, working on judicial reform including the abolition of of the death penalty, improving health cooperation and supporting the Chevening Scholarship programme. You will play a proactive role in planning and driving forward our work in these areas, including through the use of communications campaigns.
Alongside the core responsibilities above, the job holder will participate fully in our response to crisis, manage, support and guide the Political Officer, including supporting their work on the Chevening Scholarship, and deputise for the Head of the Political Section when required.
As a Country Based member of staff you will be employed by the British Office. We are a warm, welcoming and fun team, located in bright modern offices in Xinyi with fabulous views over the city. Colleagues are able to work flexibly and enjoy a healthy work/life balance. Where overtime is required – for example during crises – we offer a “time off in lieu” system, and some scope for overtime pay.
The British Office is part of the overseas network of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The FCDO employs around 17,300 staff worldwide, including in 280 overseas embassies, high commissions and offices. We pursue our national interests and project the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.
Wherever we work in the world, we share a set of values that guides our decision-making, sets standards for our behaviour and helps us deliver the UK’s national interest internationally. We value, draw upon and invest in: Respect, Expertise, Resilience, Creativity, Courage and Public Service. These values are underpinned by the UK Civil Service values: Integrity, Honesty, Objectivity, Impartiality.
If you are competent, conscientious and curious, this is an ideal role for you to further develop the political analyst aspect of your career. The position will give you behind-the-scenes insights into the formulation and practice of international policy. And it offers the right person a unique opportunity to build their own personal brand amongst some of the most interesting and powerful people in Taiwan.
- A shared sense of our values
- An in-depth understanding and knowledge of Taiwanese political and social life and an interest in international affairs and Taiwan’s place in the world.
- The ability to maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people to help get business done. Existing contacts in politics, government, media, academia and civil society.
- The ability to set and work to agreed goals and activities, delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility for quality outcomes.
- The ability to effectively communicate sound judgments, and use evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.
Language requirements:
Language: Mandarin (essential)
Level of language required: Fluent, both written and spoken
Language: English (essential)
Level of language required: Fluent, both written and spoken
- Three years work experience in media, international relations, policy or government affairs
- Related postgraduate university degree with research and analysis components
Language: Taiwanese (desirable)
Level of language required: Fluent, spoken
Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace
2 May 2021
B3 (L)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Asia Pacific
Taiwan
Taipei
British Office
1
76,143
1 June 2021
The British Office offers a competitive remuneration package with a gross salary of NT$76,143 per month x 13.5, benefits, leave entitlement and training package. The British Office Taipei has a strong commitment to developing staff and supports staff who wish to pro-actively develop their talents and abilities. With a dedicated Learning and Development Committee and opportunities to undertake training including self-study, in-house online training programmes as well as classroom-based training; the British Office is a great place to work for those committed to self-development.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
Individuals are encouraged to drive their own development, taking advantage of the many different learning and development opportunities open to British Office employees. These include bespoke in-house online training as well as courses provided by the FCDO both inside Taiwan and overseas.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Staff recruited locally by the British Office are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Taiwan employment law. Candidates must have the correct permit to work in Taiwan in order to apply.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain correct permit to work or work authorisation in Taiwan in order to apply. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
Your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”
Applications must include a current CV.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.
Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
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