View Vacancy - Political Officer (FRA21.407)

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

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 looking for a Political Officer that will play a key role in the Domestic Politics Team, building positive relations with French elected officials at the local and national level, explaining French politics to London, and strengthening bilateral links between France and the UK. The Political Officer will play an active role identifying and engaging with a broad range of external contacts, spotting and reporting on political trends and developments as well as working with a wide variety of teams across the Embassy and the UK’s France Network. 

Main roles and responsibilities:

  • Political analysis and reporting: Follow and analyse French politics, with reporting showing added value and contributing to the development of policy across the Embassy and in London. Provide briefing to ministers and senior officials. Build a strong network of political contacts for yourself and the Embassy
  • Strategic planning and engagement: Lead on the mapping of influencers across the country and the Embassy’s strategic regional engagement, as well as relations with Parliament. Support delivery of these plans by organising and accompanying HMA and other senior officers on visits and through building and nurturing relationships across both Houses of French Parliament, within political parties and within Mairies and local councils.
  • Bilateral projects: Deliver specific projects working with and influencing external stakeholders towards the shared objective of a strong Franco-British bilateral relationship. Projects include the Franco-British Young Leaders Programme and the UK-France Local Government Forum. 

At an important time for Franco-British relations, this will be a varied, exciting and challenging job with scope for the successful candidate to bring their own ideas and creativity. They will need to be able to juggle different types of work and reprioritise at short notice, working to a high standard and often to tight deadlines.  

We also encourage all our staff to get involved in the wider work and community life of the Embassy. There are lots of opportunities for this, including volunteering for major events and summits, as well as getting involved in projects to improve our organisation. The Embassy also encourages staff to pursue learning and development opportunities, of which the FCDO provides a wide range.

  • Full professional proficiency in English and French, including excellent writing skills* (C1 Level);
  • Experience working in French politics at national or sub-national level, whether in institutions, parties, think tanks, lobbying or other forms
  • Strong knowledge or experience of French political system;
  • Experience of working with a wide network of contacts demonstrating negotiation; networking and influencing skills;

  • Full professional working capacity in both languages;

  • Ability to grasp complex issues quickly and communicate them simply and effectively;

  • Excellent briefing and drafting skills;

  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team and contribute to its outputs;

  • Strategic Thinking;

  • Adaptability and resilience under pressure.




23 September 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
France
Paris
British Embassy
1
EUR
€4104 monthly gross salary
1 January 2022

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 FCDO 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.

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

* Languages: *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.