View Vacancy - Political Intern – Visits and Foreign Policy

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 (Operations and Corporate Services)
Protocol, Visits and Events

Main purpose of job:

We organise all senior visits to Mexico by British Government Ministers, Parliamentary Committees, former Prime Ministers, members of the Royal Family and senior officials.  The Visits Section is part of the Political&Press Section (Foreign Policy and Visits). We also work very closely with the Executive Office, as the Ambassador takes a keen interest in the delivery of visits.   

The jobholder will support the Visits Officer in the preparation and delivery of visits, assisting with the drafting of programmes and coordination of the logistical aspects of the visit, including lodging and meeting accommodation, research of traditions and customs, schedule transportation and provide advice on matters of protocol and etiquette. 

The smooth running of visits is of high importance to the UK and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, both in maintaining our international reputation for exceptional organisation, and in creating the best possible environment for discussion to secure foreign policy objectives. 

Your every day job will offer an insight into the public diplomacy work of Her Majesty’s Government and the opportunity to learn about the UK’s work on a range of issues to include human rights, multilateral affairs, domestic politics, anticorruption and rule of law.


Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:  

  • Visit management: Support the Visits Officer during the preparation and delivery of senior visits in liaison with lead diplomat
  • Occasionally escort visitors to and from meetings throughout the programme. 
  • Communicate with Mexican government departments, businesses, and other NGOs, as well as with UK stakeholders to deliver successful visits and activities.
  • Research and support for production of briefings about the human rights situation, security issues, domestic politics and foreign policy in Mexico.
  • Advise senior visitors on matters of protocol, order of precedence, privileges, immunities, relations with host country authorities, etc.
  • Support the team with planning and organisation of official luncheons, dinners and social events hosted by the Ambassador during a high-level visit.
  • Perform other administrative duties as requested.

All employees in the Embassy network are expected to contribute towards the corporate activity of the organisation.


Essential on arrival:

-   Be familiar with and have an interest in key international policy issues and diplomacy.

-   Excellent communication skills.

-   Ability to provide information to stakeholders in an understandable format. Good communication and drafting skills in English and Spanish.

-   Organisation and time management skills, with a high level of attention to detail.

-   Capacity for flexibility and willingness to work to meet deadlines.

-   Previous experience in meeting planning, visits and/or executive assistance.

-   Good team skills - being able to liaise with people over requirements and ask for help where stuck, but also able to work independently.


Desirable:

-   Experience working in an international office environment (preferably dealing with VIPs)

-   Undergraduates and recent graduates who are interested in UK/MX relations

27 February 2020
Internship
Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
25
Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean
Mexico
Mexico City
British Embassy
1
$3,925 MXN
20 April 2020

You will be asked to complete, as a minimum, the following mandatory on-line courses:

-   Basic Fire Awareness for All Staff

-   Government Security Classifications

-   Home Security Course


The British Embassy Network offers access to in-house training opportunities


Please note that to be eligible for a Chevening Fellowship you must not be an employee, a former employee, or relative* of an employee (since July 2016) of Her Majesty’s Government (including British Embassies/High Commissions). You will not be able to apply for a Chevening scholarship for two years after ending your contract with the Embassy.

Immediate relatives are defined as parents or step-parents, siblings or step-siblings, children or step-children, spouse, civil partner or unmarried (where the couple have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years).



Working patterns: 25 hours per week, e.g. Monday – Friday 10:00 – 15:00 (hours can be adjusted)


The Mexico Network embraces flexible working practices where operational requirements allow. The majority of staff have access to laptops for working across sites and from home, in line with Remote Working policy and guidance.


Candidates must be able to live and work in Mexico within their own right. The successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance and professional reference check.


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.