View Vacancy - IQB - Political Adviser, Security Sector and Southern Iraq (HEO)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political

The British Embassy in Baghdad currently has a vacancy for a Political Adviser – Security Sector and Southern Iraq, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) to start as soon as possible.

Main purpose of job:

The jobholder will work in two main areas of political team’s work. The focus (c.65percentage of time) will be on the security sector. The jobholder will also be an important member of team working on the politics of Southern Iraq (c.35percentage of time).

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Security Sector

  • Networking: Engage, form and manage relationships with security ministries and actors, including the Defence and Interior Ministries, the National Security Advisers Office, to complement existing embassy relationships, enabling the UK to better understand security sector activities. Develop and execute a strategy to engage the parliamentary security and defence committee, and any other parliamentary committees doing work relevant to security and defence, and continue to manage those relationships.
  • Security Sector Monitoring Reporting and Analysis: Closely follow security-related developments, working independently to provide fast, insightful and concise analysis. Use and develop networks of contacts to support understanding. Monitor new developments, including new legislative proposals, executive orders and other Council of Representatives proceedings relevant to security.  Produce regular oral and written reports to update the UK Embassy staff, the Ambassador, and teams in the UK, on key issues in relation to the security sector.  Contribute to the development of UK policy and action on the security sector, making recommendations.

Politics of Southern Iraq

  • Networking: Alongside other members of the team, you will form and manage relationships with the political parties of Southern Iraq, and the marjaiya, to help the UK to better understand their activities and viewpoints.
  • Monitoring, Reporting and Analysis: Closely follow political, cultural and religious issues important to the communities of Southern Iraq. Working independently to provide fast, insightful and concise analysis, using your judgement to provide targeted analysis of developments.  Regular oral and written reports to update the UK Embassy and Ambassador on key issues on Southern Iraq.

Key behaviours:

  • Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Fluent communication skills in English and Arabic language (both spoken and written). Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (i.e. Political Science, International Relations, Political Economy, Domestic Law, International Law, Human Rights, Government, Public Policy, Public Administration or History.)
  • Minimum three (3) years’ work experience in a similar role and/or academic institutions such as further education, think tanks, international and/or non-governmental organizations, corporate entities, law, or government.
  • Strong understanding of Iraq’s political situation, particularly issues on internal, regional and security issues.
  • Strong team-working skills. A team player who is capable of working on their initiative and who is adaptable to changing priorities. Must be able to work and act without close supervision and react calmly to situations that may arise.
  • Ability to work in fast-paced, high profile environments, and deliver to deadlines.
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Teams.
    • Experience working with, or for, Iraqi security institutions or forces.
    Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
    3 October 2022
    Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
    Full-time, Permanent
    38
    Middle East & North Africa
    Iraq
    Baghdad
    British Embassy
    1
    USD
    3,144 plus 300 security allowance
    1 December 2022

    Eligibility:

    If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as:

    • We can obtain the appropriate level of local and UK security clearance for you.
    • You have (or be willing to obtain) the right to live and work in Iraq. Candidate's residence permit and work permit, and the expense to obtain them, will be their own responsibility – the Embassy does not provide residence or work permits. If you have any questions about residency and/or visa requirements, you should contact the relevant Iraqi Government Ministry.

    Working Hours and Remuneration:

    The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including up to 20 days of annual leave.

    The role grade is Higher Executive Officer (HEO), with a non-negotiable base salary of US$ 3,144 per month. This base salary is paid 13 times a year. In addition, there is a security allowance of US$300 per month payable as part of this package. The allowance is subject to review and may be altered or withdrawn at any time. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

    This position is for a full-time employment, on a permanent basis contract subject to a 90 days probationary period.

    Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Normal working hours are Sunday - Wednesday 0800–1600 and Thursday 0800-1400. There is flexibility for starting and leaving times as long as conditioned hours are completed.

    The Embassy encourages a culture of continuous learning. Training will be given in the role. All employees have access to the Civil Service Learning platform, which gives access to training to improve job specific skills. Employees are entitled to a minimum number of annual training days.

    Application Process:

    Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and 3) examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.

    **(Applications that do not include the above stated information will be rejected).

    All applications must be received before 23:55 (Baghdad Time) on 03 October 2022.

    Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

    The start date mentioned in the advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures.  Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks.

     

    The British Embassy Baghdad is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local employment law.

    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.