View Vacancy - Senior Skills and Education Adviser - C4 - New Delhi

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Economic and Prosperity

Length of the contract: 10 Months



MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB


This role leads the FCO’s work on skills and education in India – a high priority area of work for both UK and Indian governments.  The UK already has a strong partnership with India on skills and education including through the joint UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) and there is scope to do more.  You will shape the strategy for our engagement over the next 12-months and beyond, and deliver that strategy including as our lead official for UKIERI.  




ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 


Senior Advisor on Skills

  • Lead FCO’s work on skills including analysis, and project and programme design and delivery where relevant
  • Maintain good working relations and regular engagement on skills priorities and activities with other parts of the UK skills family in India (Science and Innovation Network (SIN), DFID, British Council, UKIERI Secretariat and Deputy High Commission network) and the Ministry of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in the UK.
  • Liaise with UK skills providers and industry, providing support to identify and deliver skills opportunities pan India.
  • Build stronger ties with Indian Ministry of Skills and Entrepreneurship, NSDC, SSCs and other relevant bodies to further strengthen the UK-India skills offer.
  • Actively engaging with multilateral organizations like World Bank, ADB and others to identify opportunity for the UK to partner
  • Help with organising skills-related visits, briefings and events
  • Periodic reporting on skills developments.

 

Senior Advisor on Education (including UKIERI – refer below)

  • Lead FCO’s work on education including analysis, and project and programme design and delivery where relevant
  • Maintain good working relations and regular engagement with other players in the UK education family in Delhi (SIN, DFID, British Council, UKIERI Secretariat); the Deputy High Commissions and regional advisors; and Ministry of BEIS in the UK.
  • Help to drive forward initiatives such as GIAN, Qualifications Recognition of UK degree in India and any other.
  • Organise bi-monthly or as necessary meetings of the Education Coordination Group, with other players of UK Education family

 

On UKIERI specifically:

  • Represent FCO on the Programme Management Board of UKIERI (UK India Education and Research Initiative).
  • Liaise with FCO Political and Bilateral Team (who lead on the budget from which the FCO contribution to UKIERI is funded).
  • Engage with UKIERI Secretariat and offering support during Bilateral Education Forum, visits, briefings, events, and hiring of resources.
  • Keep FCO updated on the spend status of its UKIERI contribution and working towards obtaining best impact and value for money for the UK.
  • Share UKIERI opportunities widely

Wider cross-BHC support as needed, for example pitching in to help with major events such as Ministerial visits, conferences and the Queen’s Birthday Party event.



WHAT WE DO


UK Trade, Economics and Prosperity (UKTEP) is a cross-India team focused on achieving mutual UK and Indian economic prosperity.  We are a varied and dynamic team made up of policy/thematic experts, trade advisors, economist, programme managers and others.

 

We work to support the agendas of several UK Ministries, including the Department for International Trade (DIT), Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). We also work closely with the Department for International Development (DFID).  For this role, you may also support the work of the Department for Education (DfE).




WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU


This is an exciting opportunity working in a high priority area of work.  You will need to be a self-starter able to work with autonomy and pace.  You will also need to be flexible and willing to adapt to changing priorities or short term pressures.  

 

You will need good strategic awareness and an understanding of Indian priorities at both national and state level.  You will use this knowledge to promote UK strengths and successes, and to identify opportunities for the UK including for government to government collaboration and for UK skills organisations.

 

You will need to engage and communicate regularly with diverse stakeholder groups in the UK and India and will need the confidence to engage at the most senior levels of government and private sector organisations, as well as with working level experts. 

 

You will need to quickly to establish credibility and trust with a wide range of UK organisations working in India, often with extensive expertise and programmes in action.  You will need to show how your function can help them achieve their goals, add value to their existing work, maximise the impact of that work with other UK stakeholders and generate new ideas for future partnership with India.

 

You will need to deliver high quality analysis and where needed, you will be required to design and implement small scale projects where these can support the overall objectives of your position. You may also be required to contribute to projects led by other UK organisations or teams working on Skills. Monitoring and evaluation of projects under your leadership, and ensuring timely delivery with no under-spend, achieving maximum benefit to India and the UK will be important.

Please note:

The exact breakdown of duties may vary and new duties may be added according to business need. Travel in India and internationally may be required.

  • Applicant must possess a graduate degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject.
  • Knowledge of the Indian Skills and Education system, including at least 4-5 years’ experience working in the sector at either national or state level.
  • Knowledge of the UK skills system would be a significant advantage. Those without such knowledge would be expected to show how they would approach attaining this knowledge.
  • Programme / project management experience
  • Strong strategic thinking skills
  • Proven analytical and problem solving skills
  • Excellent written and spoken English.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent IT skills – Microsoft suite of products.
  • Experience of delivering development projects
  • Existing network of contacts in the relevant ministries, trade associations etc.
  • Experience of working for an international organisation
29 May 2017
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Temporary
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
New Delhi
British High Commission
1
INR
80,924
15 July 2017

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

 

For other than BHC candidates, salary will be ­­­­­­Rs 80,924 per month.

 

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance. 

 

Around half of our work force is women.  We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment. 

 

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

TO APPLY:

Please note applications without (a), (b) and (c) will not be considered.

(a)     Completed the Online Job Application Form

(b)     Complete the Motivation section in the online application form (no more than 600 words) setting out why you are the suitable person for this role. Your statement should include clear examples of how you meet the key competences.

(c)     Attach a detailed CV

 

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) else the application will not be considered.

Please note:

  • Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
  • The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.

 

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.