View Vacancy - Political Officer (ALB20.148)

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)
Economic and Prosperity



Note: Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.


The British Embassy in Tirana is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a full-time Political Officer to join the Economic and Prosperity team.


The successful candidate will contribute towards promoting the UK’s objectives in Albania. Covering a wide variety of domestic issues, you will be expected to monitor and report on political developments, build and maintain a network of influential contacts, and take a lead role on strengthening the bilateral relationship.

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • Providing timely, high quality analysis and policy advice to the Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission and wider Embassy on political developments in Albania, with a view to pursuing UK objectives in Albania and strengthening the bilateral relationship;
  • Monitoring Albania’s domestic politics;
  • Coordinating the Embassy’s domestic political monitoring and analysis, working closely with colleagues from across the Embassy to ensure they are aware of emerging developments which impact on their policy areas;
  • To collaborate effectively with colleagues in British Embassies across the Western Balkan region and colleagues in the UK on salient political developments;
  • To maintain contacts with key stakeholders in relevant Government institutions, political parties, parliament, think-tanks and NGOs, engaging with regularly and proactively to ensure we are abreast of emerging developments;

  • To manage the Embassy’s political programmes acting as the liaison point for implementers;

  • To provide support to the Ambassador with high-level visits, official documents and translations, as required.


  • Proficiency in both English and Albanian (spoken and written) according to the Common European Framework level C2 or equivalent*;

  • A university degree in a relevant field of studies or equivalent (International Relations, Journalism, Political Science)

  • At least 3 years of professional experience in an analytical or policy role, in a political, governmental, media, international, or civil society organisation;

  • Previous experience in drafting high-level documents / policies / translations as required;

  • Knowledge of and ability to assess the Albanian political situation;

  • Excellent analytical skills, sound judgement and the ability to use evidence to develop accurate and expert advice;

  • Ability to work autonomously when necessary, and scan the political context to identify salient developments;

  • Excellent networking skills with the ability to develop and maintain contacts in both the public and private sectors;

  • Strong influencing/persuasion skills;

  • Positive, proactive attitude and ability to work both independently and in teams and to create professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people both internally and externally;

  • Flexibility, resilience, patience, strong team-player and the ability to deal with difficult situations with a level of discretion and responsibility;

  • Great IT skills with Microsoft Office package (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

  • Previous professional experience in project and/or programme management analysis and reporting would be an advantage.


9 April 2020
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
36
12 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Albania
Tirana
British Embassy
1
ALL
200,100 gross
1 June 2020
31 May 2021

This is a full-time and fixed term contract of 1 year for 5 working days (36 hours net) per week.

The monthly salary for this position is 200,100 ALL gross per month.

Please note that staff members are responsible for paying any income tax required by local law.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and three months’ probation period.

Visa / Passport requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Albania and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Additional requirements may become necessary after 31st December 2020.

The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Tirana are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local (Albanian) employment law.


Additional Information (due to COVID-19):

  • You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;

  • Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;

  • Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.


*Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C2 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind that your language skills will be assessed if you are invited for interview.

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 Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.


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.