View Vacancy - Prosperity Officer

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

The United Kingdom’s Prosperity Agenda

Prosperity is one of the Her Majesty’s Government’s foreign policy objectives. HMG seeks to promote the UK's prosperity by opening markets, driving business friendly economic reform, championing British business, and supporting free trade, investment and sustainable global growth.

The Role

The British Embassy in Bahrain has a vacancy for a full time Prosperity Officer to support the head of the Economic and Political External team to advance the prosperity agenda. We are looking for a highly capable individual with the initiative and drive to help identify and tackle obstacles whose removal could promote the UK’s ability to expand trade and investment partnerships with Bahrain. The Officer will also lead on Government to Government work in the areas of science and innovation and support work on delivering the Government’s climate change agenda. The Officer will be part of a network of Prosperity Officers in our diplomatic missions across the GCC, and will work closely with colleagues from a number of Government Departments in Bahrain, the region and the UK.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall aim of the job is to help create the conditions for an increase in UK exports to Bahrain (in terms of both absolute value and market share), and in UK-Bahrain investment partnerships. The Officer will:

(i) Support work to identify and tackle market access issues for British companies; and

(ii) Identify UK strengths which are at present under exploited in the Bahrain market, and help DIT colleagues to exploit commercial opportunities arising from this work.

(iii) Lead on wider prosperity agenda priorities including Science and Innovation and support the Government’s Climate Change agenda.

Specifically, this will include:

  • Researching and analyzing barriers hindering British commercial interests in Bahrain.
  • Support to the Head of Economic and Regional Issues Team in analysing/reporting on developments in economic policy and other areas of potential commercial interest.
  • Working closely with internal and external stakeholders to advance the prosperity agenda (e.g. DIT, FCO, Bahrain British Business Forum, the Gulf Science Innovation & Knowledge Economy Programme, UK Export Finance, and Trade Associations).
  • Supporting DIT with their work with Bahraini authorities to agree Government to Government arrangements (for example on Public Private Partnerships and UK Export Finance).
  • Working with UK professional institutes to promote their frameworks and standards, with a view to their recognition/adoption in areas such as Construction, Financial & Professional Services, Health & Safety, Fire Standards etc.
  • Horizon scanning for emerging areas of opportunity in the Bahrain economy which match UK expertise
  • Arranging visits by relevant UK officials to Bahrain, including preparation of official schedules and obtaining official permissions from the Bahraini government.
  • Arranging meetings between British diplomats, British official visitors and relevant Bahraini officials.  This will include attending external meetings, and preparing and exchanging policy information before and afterwards.

Competences Required

  • Delivering at Pace: Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.
  • Engaging Internationally: Effectiveness in this area is about leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives.
  • Collaborating and Partnering: creating and maintaining positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to help get business done.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Demonstrate accountability and make unbiased decisions. Examine complex information and obtain further information to make accurate decisions.
  • Changing and Improving:  It is about being open to change, suggesting ideas for improvements to the way things are done, and working in smarter, more focused ways.
  • Seeing the Bigger 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.

Skills Required

Language requirements: 

English : Fluent written and oral

1. At least two years relevant work experience

2. Excellent interpersonal skills and be able to influence and network confidently with senior business people, senior officials and other interlocutors.

3. Team player who is capable of working on their own initiative.

4. Have a proven record of organisational ability.

5. Knowledge and experience of prosperity and trade and investment work in Bahrain and/or the UK.

6. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes and be able to adapt to other database systems.

Highly Desirable 

1. Project Management experience.

2. Plans to be in Bahrain for a minimum of three years.

3. Some written and spoken Arabic would be advantageous.

25 February 2017
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time
35
Middle East & North Africa
Bahrain
Manama/Bahrain
British Embassy
1
BHD
1025
1 April 2017

Benefits

A non-negotiable monthly salary package of 1025 BHD as well as private medical insurance, a leave entitlement and training package. Specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided for the successful candidate.  This may include training in London and the region.   

Flexibility will be required on the working hours, including providing leave cover.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 3 month probationary period and will need to commence security clearance procedures through the Embassy as soon as possible. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks.

Eligibility

If non-UK passport holder, must not have been denied entry into the UK.

Application Process 

Interested candidates must attach the following documents when applying online. 

1. An updated Curriculum Vitae including three references.  

2. Please provide examples of performance in each competency on the motivation section of the online application form.

3. A covering letter stating why you feel you have the necessary skills to perform well in the above role.

The closing date for applications is Saturday 25th February 2017.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process 

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

Due to the large amount of applications the Embassy receives only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.  

The British Embassy Bahrain is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.