View Vacancy - Political Officer: Migration and Borders (FRA21.153)

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)
Chancery

Note: Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.

The British Embassy in Paris is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is also part of the UK’s France Network including offices in Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseille and representation to international organisations in Paris (OECD and UNESCO) and Strasbourg (CoE).

The British Embassy is currently looking for a Political Officer: Migration and Borders to join the Justice and Home Affairs Team (which is part of the National Security and Foreign Policy Team). This is an integral role in a very busy team that covers a wide range of high profile issues including migration, borders, cyber security, counter-terrorism, security, justice and foreign policy at an important time for the UK-France bilateral relationship. The successful candidate will support one of the JHA First Secretaries and will focus on the migration portfolio specifically on French asylum and immigration policy and debate.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who has an experience of French and British migration, border or security policies, is at ease engaging with senior interlocutors and thrives under pressure. You should be able to demonstrate the ability to prioritise policy work across a busy suite of issues and show an aptitude for horizon-scanning to spot links, risks and opportunities. Your access to and understanding of French thinking will be particularly crucial to London policy-making in what is often a fluid and event-driven policy and operational environment. 

The role is initial for one year but will be evaluated in spring 2022 for a possible extension.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Policy: Lead on analysis of developments in France which impact UK migration and border security interests including leading on the internal political debate in France on immigration and asylum issues both at home and further upstream on migratory route into Europe, to France and ultimately to the UK.

  • Policy: Support the Migration & Borders Team in JHA to track and understand wider migration and border policy with particular focus on the delivery of the UK Home Office's high priority work to prevent small boat crossings as well as cross-border cooperation as a consequence of EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and COVID-19 relate border measures.

  • Reporting and analysis: Devise and deliver regular reporting on migration related developments in France, as well as contributions to various Home Secretary's migration briefing, briefings for the Ambassador and other ad-hoc, timely reporting as required.

  • Projects: Support the Home Office in delivering a large programme of UK-funded activity of French government action to enhance joint border security. To monitor the impact and effectiveness of these investments in close cooperation with UK and French colleagues.

  • Engagement: Establish and maintain effective contacts in the relevant French authorities including the Ministry of Interior, regional Prefectures and public bodies as well as civil society plus other HMG colleagues including at other British embassies notably in Brussels, Madrid and Rome. You will have particular responsibility for developing relationships with appropriate French and international stakeholders who work on immigration and asylum in France.

  • Building bilateral relations and visits: Support engagement and relations between British and French Ministers and civil servants, including setting up events, accompanying on visits and providing interpretation where necessary.


  • Fluency in English and French, both written and spoken (C1 level according to CEFR*);

  • Excellent organisational and IT skills;

  • Attention to detail and self-starting;

  • Ease with contacting new people and tenacity in pursuit of goals;

  • Equal ability to work successfully within both a large team and independently;

  • Proven ability to adapt on short timelines and under changing circumstances;

  • Proven problem solving skills and ability to handle pressure.

  • Interest in the UK and UK politics;

  • Experience in office and budget management;

  • Experience in project management.


18 May 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
12 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
France
Paris
British Embassy
1
EUR
4,104
1 July 2021

This is a full-time and fixed-term position for 1-year contract with possible extension.

All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at https://www.cjn.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/b3/eje20 ), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in France are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCO guidance for Local Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.

Your application will only be considered if you follow the guidance below:

  • Your application must be sent in English only.

  • Your application must clearly indicate all nationalities you hold.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in France and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

FCDO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCDO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

Additional Information (due to Covid-19): 

  • You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;

  • Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;

  • Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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.