View Vacancy - Economic Diplomacy and Programmes Officer

The British Embassy Doha is part of a worldwide network that represents political, economic, security and consular interests overseas and is now looking for an Economic Diplomacy and Programmes Officer, Grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), to start in July/ August 2022.

Main purpose of the job:

The jobholder will coordinate and lead the British Embassy Doha’s work on climate change and environmental policy, and to drive progress on the Embassy’s economic diplomacy priorities in sectors including energy and investment. They will also coordinate effective delivery of programmes and projects for British Embassy Doha under the Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) and other applicable sources of funding.

As the lead on climate change and environmental sustainability for the Embassy, the jobholder will need to create a network of contacts among Qatari and international stakeholders in the climate and environment sectors. They will also work to explain UK policy, strengths and capabilities in related sectors, including energy and investment, and identify areas for cooperation of mutual strategic value to the UK and Qatar. The jobholder will work closely with the Department for International Trade (DIT), Science and Innovation Network (SIN), British Council, and other Political colleagues, and will support related ministerial visits.

The jobholder will also serve as British Embassy Doha’s lead in bidding for and managing programme spend across all policy areas. Their coordination will ensure successful delivery of centrally funded projects delivered in Qatar. 

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Post-COP26, to coordinate delivery of the Embassy’s climate strategy for Qatar, working closely with Economic, Political, Prosperity, and Communications colleagues. This will include a focus on the energy transition and climate finance and green investment.
• Coordinate an Embassy-wide process of bidding for, managing, and delivering projects funded by the Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) and other central funding pots.
• Coordinate with Whitehall colleagues on engagement with Qatar, advising on local sensitivities and Qatar’s priorities; including briefing for ministers and senior officials.
• Manage Ministerial and official visits from/ inward to the UK related to economic diplomacy. This could include planning and advising on visit agendas, coordinating with media colleagues, and supporting events and logistics as required.
• Establish best practices to enhance cross-Embassy collaborative working; develop joint project ideas with DIT, SIN, and other Political colleagues, and help drive an Economic Diplomacy Board agenda.
• Develop, bid for and manage climate and economic diplomacy-related projects under the Gulf Strategy Fund and others that build Qatari capacity and enhance future UK opportunities.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): Opportunity to bid for project funding.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider UK Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.

• High standard of project and programme management and budget management skills and track record of successful project delivery.
• Fast learning, self-starter who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence to establish connections and build business and government relationships. Ability to initiate and maintain a wide range of working relationships, both internally and externally, and capable of operating at all organisational levels.
• Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. With a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines.
• Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload; and a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Team player who is capable of working on their own initiative as well as managing and delivering through others.
• Excellent and confident communicator in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication and with an eye for detail.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams) and conducting internet searches.