View Vacancy - Senior Human Rights and Governance Adviser, Grade- Senior Executive Officer (SEO), 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)
Political

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

You will work in the Political Department at the heart of the British High Commission, coordinating and advising on UK policy and programmes on human rights and governance in India. The role supports the India-UK 2030 road map objectives particularly around deepening mutual understanding of institutional and democratic partnerships. 

You will be responsible for a) leading and producing high-quality analysis of key trends and their impacts on Indian politics, economy and society, and UK interests in India, b) maintaining a diverse network of senior contacts from civil society organisations, government and think tanks, c) leading campaigns, events and visits in support of human rights and governance objectives, and d) delivering national programmes with Indian partners on these topics.

Roles and responsibilities:

Analysis and reporting (40%)

  • Produce regular evidence-based reports for internal use on national human rights, governance and democracy trends including Indian Government legislation and policies, and ad hoc reporting in response to emerging issues of interest, delivering through and setting direction for regional political officers. Use analysis to provide recommendations to senior colleagues in Delhi and London on governance and topical human rights issues. Respond to correspondence from London on UK Parliamentary business on these issues. Work with Foreign and Security Policy Team to produce analysis on multilateral human rights issues.
  • Specific policy areas of focus are likely to include trends around key institutions in India such as the judiciary, centre-state governance, online safety and harms, civil society, and human rights issues (such as gender equality, freedom of religion or belief, media freedom, LGBT+ rights, and human trafficking).

Networking and events (30%)

  • Civil society stakeholder engagement lead for the mission. Build and manage a diverse network of contacts on governance and human rights, including civil society organisations, political analysts, journalists, think tanks, academics, and government officials. Attend relevant events and conferences, and engage with experts and emerging research, to inform analysis.
  • Set objectives and vision for events for international days (e.g. International Women’s Day), convening and engaging relevant stakeholders, and overseeing communications to publicise outcomes, delivering through the Bilateral Affairs Officer on logistics.
  • Ensure visit programmes for incoming UK visits meet governance and human rights objectives, and set up visits and meetings in India for diplomatic staff, accompanying on domestic travel and producing meeting records.

Programmes and partnerships (30%)

  • Deliver the British High Commission’s multi-year open societies programme, covering human rights and UK-India governance partnerships. You will work closely with implementing partners to track progress against the work plan, facilitate coordination and learning across partners, support programme reviews, undertake field visits, and share information across the British High Commission.
  • You will develop and lead on at least one partnership to strengthen UK-India cooperation on democratic governance. Topics could include justice, rule of law, civil service modernisation, or internet governance.

Learning and development opportunities:

1. Formal in-house and external training.

2. Coaching, mentoring and job shadowing.

3. Structured learning on the job, including stretching objectives and work.

Language requirements:

Language:  English and Hindi.

Level of language required:  Excellent command of written and spoken English and Hindi.  

Essential on arrival: 

  • Expertise and interest: 5-10 years of relevant work experience, interest and expertise in human rights policy, and knowledge of and familiarity with Indian politics, society, governance structures and institutions.
  • Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills: Ability to produce written briefing that is concise and reflects an understanding of a UK audience’s needs, and to deliver oral briefings and presentations confidently and clearly to senior stakeholders in Delhi and the UK.
  • Effective networking: Demonstrate an existing, broad-based network of political and civil society contacts, including senior officials. Ability to leverage contacts in support of UK policy and programme objectives in India.
  • Effective team player: Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively across diverse teams in the British High Commission’s India Network.
  • Understanding of how diplomatic missions work.
  • Experience of programme management.
  • Experience working with think tanks or academics.
Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
16 May 2022
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
New Delhi
British High Commission
1
INR
INR 148,926 per month plus 12% provident fund and 6% Superannuation fund
1 July 2022

For BHC candidates, the Local BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be INR 148,926 per month together with a 12% provident fund and 6% Superannuation fund. 

Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided.

Please note - BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.    

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 forces are 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) and (b) will not be considered.

A. Complete the Online Application Form

B. Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 16th May 2022 till 23:55 pm (IST).  

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission.

Please note - Provident Fund Transfer in and out from EPFO is not possible as BHC PF is managed by a private PF trust governed by Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The staff still has the option to transfer out and in from a privately held PF trust which are not governed by EPFO.

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, medical, 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.