View Vacancy - Economic Diplomacy Officer, British Embassy Bogota

Main purpose of job:

Economic Diplomacy is one of the three strategic priorities of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UK Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Our primary objectives are to:

-          Support Colombian efforts to deliver economic reforms and sustainable growth, strong economic governance, and to remove barriers to growth.

-          Boost free trade, tackle global economic challenges and strengthen the rules-based international economic system.

-          Use economic levers to improve the UK Government’s foreign policy outcomes and UK business opportunities.

-          Support the work of the cross-Government embassy programmes such as Prosperity Fund, CSSF, ICF and Newton to achieve sustainable impact on poverty reduction, climate ambition and science and innovation in Colombia and benefits to UK business.

Roles and responsibilities:

To achieve the UK’s economic and commercial diplomacy, and trade policy objectives in Colombia by working to deliver:

Economic Reform and Sustainable Growth:

• Influence economic policy making in Colombia to achieve a more transparent, stronger, rules-based international economic system and better regulation, through political lobbying, project work and the provision of UK technical expertise.
• Report on and provide relevant economic information regarding the UK’s role as an observer to the Pacific Alliance.
• Report and provide relevant economic information regarding Colombia’s accession and commitments to the OECD.
• Work alongside Prosperity Fund and other ODA funds when required, as well as the Department of International Trade colleagues to provide policy support to enable programme activities to maximise their impact and deliver benefits to UK business.

Trade Policy & Market Access:

• Support the trade dialogue between Colombia and the UK to ensure the continuity of the trade relationship post-Brexit. Especifically, support the ratification process and the implementation of the bilateral FTA between Colombia and the UK. This will be a joint work with DIT colleagues.
• Monitor the completion of the ratification of the UK-Colombia Double Taxation Agreement and oversee its implementation by the Colombian government.
• Facilitate UK companies to access new business opportunities in Colombia by working with Department of International Trade (DIT), and UK Colombia Chamber of Commerce (BritCham) colleagues to identify, report and act on existing and anticipated market access issues and constraints from a sectorial policy perspective.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders and create spaces for dialogue and influence of Colombian trade policy formulation to drive greater competition, support more open markets and ensure compliance with international agreements.

Economic Issues:

• Lead on economic issues and analysis within the British Embassy.
• Lead on the analysis and reporting of economic developments in Colombia (and the region, as relevant), identifying key influencing factors and implications for UK policy in Colombia (direct or through multilateral agencies).
• Produce a monthly economic report, highlighting key economic developments of interest to internal stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a high-level network of contacts to ensure the Embassy has access to key economic decision-makers in Colombia.
• Contribute to briefings for senior Embassy staff, Ministers and high-level visitors.
• Provide expert advice to inform the Embassy’s strategy for economic and broader engagement with Colombia as relevant.

Personal Learning and Development:

• Actively participate in meetings and briefings of relevance to the role.
• Identify and attend opportunities to improve existing skills and/or develop new ones.
• Fulfill requirements of performance appraisal process, including setting a career development plan.

Administration:

• The jobholder will be expected to manage his or her own administrative tasks within the Economic Diplomacy Team.

Corporate:

• Play an active part in the corporate life of the Embassy, including where relevant as a member of Embassy committees, to maximise the overall well-being of staff.

• Perform other tasks as requested by the Economic Diplomacy Counsellor.

Essential on arrival:

Relevant Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Economics.

At least 4 years of relevant professional experience. Some experience related to engaging successfully with Colombian and international governments, private sector and non-governmental organisations to achieve results, and lobbying or influencing the development of public policy.

Able to demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication and relationship skills.

Solid knowledge of Colombian economic policies and institutional frameworks.

Ability to develop and work through a strong network of national and international stakeholders.

Strong judgement and confident taking decisions without direct supervision, working effectively in a team environment.

Experienced user of MS Office.