View Vacancy - 2030 National Vision Officer / Attaché

The British Embassy in Doha has a vacancy for a 2030 National Vision Officer / Attaché, Grade C4 (L) position.

Objective:

To lead on the Qatar 2030 National Vision. To lead and coordinate policy and monitor UK support to delivery of 2030 vision, with a specific focus on transport, environment and SMEs. To maximise the significant and growing opportunities for the UK. To support wider Embassy activities, including DIT, through regular reporting and project management tools. To influence Qatar government through lobbying, ministerial visits and projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

In March 2017 The Prime Minister and the Qatari prime minister signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) setting out UK support to help deliver Qatar’s ambitious 2030 National Vision programme. The MoU takes our relationship beyond the traditional fields of trade/investment, security and defence.   Qatar’s near term priority is to ensure timely delivery of a successful World Cup in 2022, which includes significant infrastructure development. Published in 2008, the 2030 strategy includes ambitious plans to  diversify Qatar’s economy away from dependence on hydrocarbon revenues but it is also about building the healthcare and education sectors, investing in youth and much more.

In April 2013, Qatar approved the largest budget in its history, which raised government spending by 18% to $58bn in 2013/14. Despite more recent budgetary constraints due to low oil prices, pursuit of most of Qatar’s 2030 National Vision objectives remain a priority.

This role will provide crucial policy resource to draw together cross-Whitehall work, report on significant opportunities and network/engage locally. As policy lead for transport, environment and SMEs the jobholder would work closely with DIT, British Council and other Chancery colleagues; and would also input into the many related ministerial visits and trade missions. The jobholder would need to create a network of contacts and engage representationally with the many Qataris and international players in these sectors.

Political:

• Lead on translating Qatar’s 2030 Vision’programme  into UK policy engagement, with a view to political and commercial opportunities; identify what Qatar needs to achieve its vision and evaluate progress against targets.
• Promote the UK’s economic, innovative and business reputation, explaining UK policy, strengths and capabilities across a range of sectors including Islamic Finance, PPP, SME etc.
• Proactively identify areas for UK-Qatar cooperation e.g. civil service restructuring or supporting SMEs and develop these ideas with relevant sector leads in Political and DIT teams.
• Design a delivery plan and work with Qatar and Whitehall stakeholders to deliver it with a specific focus on Transport, environment and SMEs.
• Monitor developments, and produce regular reporting and analysis, and policy advice on key prosperity areas.
• Coordinate cross-cutting Embassy/British Council initiatives that support DIT High Value Opportunities (HVOs).
• Work closely with regional partners.
• Build a network of external contacts both inside the Qatari government and outside amongst non-government institutions, embassies, universities, think tanks etc;
• Lead on specific visits, working with Embassy colleagues to deliver high-quality, targeted programmes for relevant high level royal, ministerial and other visits. Accompany throughout visit programme and produce timely post-visit reporting.

Projects:

• Develop/implement projects to build Qatari capacity and enhance future UK opportunities: UK aligned standards; government procurement processes that promote innovation; identifying and tackling clear and hidden Qatari trade barriers; tackling common economic misconceptions about the UK; encouraging a broader Qatari investment appetite in UK (infrastructure, science & innovation etc).

Bid for and manage bilateral Prosperity-related projects under the XWH Integrated Activity Funs and others. Lead on national engagement and implementation of regional Prosperity-related projects.

Key Competencies:

• Seeing the Big Picture- It is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs. It is about scanning the political context and taking account of wider impacts to develop long term implementation strategies that maximise opportunities to add value to the citizen and support economic, sustainable growth.
• Collaborating and Partnering- It is about working collaboratively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.
• Engaging Internationally- Effectiveness in this area is about leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives. It about understanding UK Government aims in the wider UK and international context and developing productive relationships with those external contacts and partners to help deliver UK objectives.
• Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

Essential:

• A bachelors degree and minimum of 4 years experience in the relevant field.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence to establish relationships and build senior level business relationships. 
• Previous experience of managing complex projects and handling budgets.
• Knowledge of Qatar.
• Ability to work well, under pressure, to tight deadlines in a highly challenging and demanding environment.
• IT literate and well versed in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), accurate typing skills;
• Excellent written and oral English is essential with an eye for detail.