View Vacancy - Political Affairs Officer (ISL19.315)

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)
Political

The British Embassy in Reykjavik is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a full-time Political Affairs Officer.

Working as part of a small team, the successful candidate will help the Embassy advance wider UK Government interests and priorities by building upon the strong links between the UK and Iceland – both bilaterally and in the international field.

This will be done through accurate analysis of Iceland’s political landscape, domestic events and issues, as well as Iceland’s international policies. The Job holder will also engage with key figures, institutions and influencers inside and outside of government to ensure effective UK - Iceland collaboration, as well as to spot and build upon opportunities for working more closely together. 

Main duties and responsibilities:

The job holder will monitor, analyse and report on political and economic developments within Iceland of particular relevance to Her Majesty’s Government’s objectives and policies – both for the Embassy and for other UK government departments. They will also report key developments in Iceland’s international relations and policy, including on the Human Rights Council, the Arctic, Climate Change, Icelandic relations with the EU and Brexit.

This will include responding to requests from the Embassy, London and network colleagues for input to policy papers, briefing, analysis and occasional translation work. It will also require a pro-active approach to identify and report key domestic issues or factors that will have an impact on wider HMG objectives.

They will also work with the UK’s Department for International Trade to identify possible cooperation and commercial opportunities.

In all of the above, the successful candidate will be expected to play a lead role in:

  • Identifying and engaging with officials, academics, parliamentarians, businesses and others who have an influence on Icelandic policies;
  • Providing relevant, accurate and timely analysis;
  • Making linkages between Icelandic domestic and international policies with wider UK objectives and identifying opportunities;
  • Working with colleagues across our Nordic-Baltic Embassy network on regional issues;
  • Engaging with the Icelandic government in routine lobbying requests from HMG departments;
  • Encouraging and developing contact between relevant UK and Icelandic experts.

In addition to the above, the successful candidate will be expected to provide support to colleagues to help achieve wider Embassy objectives e.g. helping out during visits by UK officials and Ministers, provide leave cover for the communications officer, contribute to the crisis team preparations and to help out during any consular crisis. 

  • A strong understanding of current political issues in Iceland;
  • An ability to proactively develop and maintain a broad-based network of relevant contacts;
  • Fluent written and spoken English and Icelandic;
  • Evidence of producing high quality analysis targeted to a varied audience;
  • Intermediate Microsoft Office skills (Word, Outlook, Excel and Power Point).
  • A good understanding of UK, European and international politics and economics;
  • Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to prioritise their work load as part of a team; 
  • A valid driving licence for Iceland;
  • A track record of strong social media skills in a professional environment.
24 June 2019
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
37
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Iceland
Reykjavik
British Embassy
ISK
811,271 (Gross)
15 July 2019

This is a full-time position, for a permanent contract. Working five days 37 hours net per week.

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

The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorization for Iceland in order to apply.

Please note that the successful candidate will have a full range of training and support available to carry out their responsibilities at the Embassy. They will also be expected to complete the FCO’s online Foundation Level Diploma in UK Foreign Policy and Diplomacy within the first year of appointment.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Reykjavik are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Icelandic employment law wherever possible.

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.