View Vacancy - Political Officer for Oslo (NOR18.784)

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)
Chancery

The British Embassy in Oslo is part of the worldwide UK diplomatic network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are seeking to recruit a Political Officer.

As a member of the Embassy’s Political Section, duties will include researching and reporting on a variety of domestic and foreign policy issues that go beyond what can be read in the news. The successful candidate will be expected to build a network of contacts across the Norwegian Government, think tanks, and the academic communities in order to gather information and assist in lobbying on behalf of the UK.

Flexibility and ability to work under pressure are key to dealing with tasking (including on new and unfamiliar issues) that may arise unexpectedly, at short notice and against tight deadlines. The successful candidate will work  closely with colleagues across the Embassy and the British government’s Nordic Baltic Network.

The Political Officer will be required to provide cover for the Embassy Communication Officer and the Ambassador’s Personal Assistant. This involves responsibility for the daily press summary, managing press relations, and digital/social media tasks.

In more detail, main responsibilities will include:

  • Track and provide high quality analysis of domestic political issues and their implications for UK interests;
  • Track and provide high quality analysis of foreign policy issues, including overseas development, multilateral fora e.g. UN, OSCE, CoE, Nordic cooperation, and Norway’s relations with countries outside the EU/EEA;
  • Track and provide high quality analysis of security policy issues, including cyber, counter terrorism, and countering violent extremism;
  • Arrange and helping others to arrange visits for UK Ministers, senior officials and Parliamentarians;
  • Support wider Embassy and Foreign and Commonwealth Office corporate objectives, e.g. crisis management preparedness, covering for absent team members, Embassy outreach and public diplomacy activities.
  • Fluency in Norwegian and English (both oral and written);
  • Interest and understanding of Norwegian domestic and international political affairs;
  • A flexible attitude and ability to switch easily between policy dossiers;
  • Proven ability to prioritise, handle multiple tasks and respond quickly to changing circumstances;
  • Ability to work under pressure;
  • Confidence to proactively build and engage a useful network of contacts.
  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in a related field;
  • Experience of working in an international context and/or relevant experience in a political role;
  • An understanding of UK culture and a desire and interest in learning more about UK politics including security policy and justice and home affairs.
16 January 2019
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
35
12 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Norway
Oslo
British Embassy
1
NOK
37,569 gross
4 March 2019

This is a full-time fixed-term contract until March 2020. The working hours are 35 net per week.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance.

Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy Oslo are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with Norwegian employment law.

All applicants must have the right to live and work in Norway. The Embassy does not sponsor work permits.

The Embassy offers a wide-range of learning and development opportunities, both in the Post, in London and more widely across Europe. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office also has extensive e-learning opportunities. All staff are encouraged to focus on their personal development, and 5 days a year are dedicated to learning and development for each staff member.

Visa / passport requirements: must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Norway and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

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 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.