View Vacancy - VNM - Senior Political Advisor C4
This position is being advertised as a 12-month contract with a possibility of extension.
Main purpose of job:
To be the centre of excellence for acquiring and sharing expertise about Vietnam’s domestic politics and governance that can inform and benefit all aspects of the Embassy and Network’s policy formulation and activities. To identify political developments and trends relevant to UK interests in Vietnam, supporting the delivery of UK objectives. To manage the Embassy’s political engagement with key institutions including the Communist Party, Government and National Assembly and support the Ambassador’s and other members of staffs’ engagement at both a national and provincial level. Lead on a small project portfolio that includes capacity building for National Assembly Deputies. This is a flexible and varied role. The successful candidate will work with the political officer covering foreign policy and wider Embassy teams to advance the UK-Vietnam bilateral relationship.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?
Networking and Influencing
- To manage the Embassy’s political networking strategy at both national and provincial level, coordinating with a counterpart in Ho Chi Minh City. Working with teams across the UK network in Vietnam, to develop and implement a political engagement plan that advances the UK’s relationship with key political institutions and decision makers in Vietnam.
- To identify, develop and leverage senior-level contacts in government, and cultivate contacts in civil society and NGOs and to provide up to date, insightful input into political reporting
- To advance bilateral political understanding and cooperation, including on good governance, security, gender equality and human rights.
Political analysis
- To lead on project work with the National Assembly, including capacity building for Young Deputies, identifying areas where UK support can most effectively be deployed and working with external partners to develop projects that deliver value for money.
- To contribute strategies and political advice to support the Embassy’s other projects and programmes
Cross-cutting work
- To provide support on programmes for visiting officials and meetings with political contacts, working with the Vietnamese authorities to agree visit programmes and providing interpretation during high-level meetings.
- To further and support the Embassy’s corporate agenda
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
- The jobholder will line manage one locally engaged member of staff (A2L) who will be a flexible resource providing cross-team support for visits and events in addition to other work.
We are looking for a proactive, creative self-starter who can prioritise to operate in a fast-paced environment, largely unsupervised, delivering to deadlines. S/he will need excellent interpersonal and communications skills to build strong relations within the Embassy, in the region and with stakeholders in the UK.
Essential on arrival:
- Proven expertise or knowledge of domestic politics and governance in Vietnam
- At least 5 years experience working in the public sector or multinational companies
- Experience in developing policy advice/analysis; delivering successful programmes and managing budgets
- Computer literate, working with Microsoft Windows and able to manage information effectively with available computer systems
- Language requirement: English and Vietnamese
The successful candidate will be expected to embody the UK Civil Service code.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to developing its staff. There will be opportunities for formal training alongside collaborating with a wide range of colleagues delivering on-the-job learning.
- Working in a diplomatic mission
- Understanding how UK international development assistance is managed / implemented
- Understanding effective programme management
- Application of gender priorities to development projects.
The Embassy has a strong L&D offer and the Prosperity Fund is likely to provide central training for programme managers (taking place in Singapore and/or London).
This is a full time post. The Embassy would be willing to discuss flexible working options. For example these may include:
- Altered working hours (e.g. starting early or late), provided the post holder was able to make calls with colleagues in the UK when necessary and was able to travel as required.
All applications must be received before 23:55 on the day of the deadline indicated above.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.
The successful candidate should be able to start as soon as possible.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
