View Vacancy - Senior Political Officer (SVK19.360)

The British Embassy in Slovakia is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is looking for a Senior Political Officer to join our Political team.

The main purpose of the job is to provide timely, high quality analysis and policy advice to the Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Political on political developments in Slovakia, with a view to further strengthening the UK-Slovakia bilateral relationship.

 Main Duties & Responsibilities:

To monitor Slovakia’s domestic politics, particularly parliamentary politics, and in relation to the EU;

To coordinate the Embassy’s domestic political monitoring, working closely with colleagues in political, trade and defence sections to ensure they are aware of emerging developments which impact on their policy areas;

To collaborate effectively with colleagues in our embassies across the central european region and colleagues in the UK on salient political developments;

To maintain contacts with key stakeholders in relevant Government institutions, political parties, parliament, think-tanks, and NGOs both in Slovakia and the UK, engaging with them regularly and proactively to ensure you are abreast of emerging developments;

To monitor, report, influence and lobby in support of the bilateral relationship with Slovakia, identifying and pursuing opportunities to further strengthen it;

To work with colleagues across the embassy to develop and manage programmes for inward and outward visits.

Minimum 3 years professional experience in an analytical or policy role, in a political, governmental, media or civil society organisation;

Excellent analytical abilities: sound judgment and the ability to use evidence to develop accurate and expert advice; the skills and network to work autonomously when necessary, and to scan the political context to identify salient developments;

Excellent networking skills, an ability to develop and maintain contacts in both the public and private sectors; and strong influencing / persuasion skills;

Positive, proactive attitude and ability to work both independently and in teams, and to create professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people both internally and externally;

Excellent communication skills both written and oral to a wide range of stakeholders at all levels – including confidence when engaging senior interlocutors and an ability to communicate with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm;

Flexbility, resilience, patience, a strong team-player, and the ability to deal with difficult situations with a level of discretion and responsibility;

Strong IT skills, particularly Outlook, Word and Excel.