View Vacancy - Senior Policy Adviser (Maternity Cover)

Background

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in the UK Mission to the UN covering maternity leave from March to August 2018. The successful candidate will be a Senior Policy Adviser, representing the UK at the UN on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). This will include conducting negotiations at the Security Council, and on occasion in the General Assembly. They will be responsible for driving this agenda which is a top Foreign Office and UK Government priority. They will work closely with colleagues across the UK Mission to deliver our WPS objectives through the geographical issues on the Security Council’s agenda. The successful candidate will also contribute to policy advice on UN sanctions regimes, and will represent the UK which oversees the Informal Experts Working Group on Women Peace and Security.

The post holder will join a team of five covering Middle East and Europe issues on the Security Council agenda, though they will work across all teams in the Political Section particularly Africa Team and those covering other thematic issues including peacekeeping reform and Protection of Civilians. As a member of the UK Mission’s Security Council Team, s/he will work closely with both the Military and the Development and Human Rights Teams.

The Middle East & Europe Team works flexibly across a range of dossiers so there may be opportunities to take on geographical work in addition to the core WPS file. The successful candidate will also contribute to the wider work of the Political Section, including planning visits and other ad hoc duties and responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

This is a policy development and delivery role, heavily focussed on influencing the UN Secretariat, other Member States and NGOs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, those outlined below:

• Negotiating Security Council products; drafting UK-proposed texts and chairing negotiations; reporting views of other Council members and UN Secretariat; advising London on tactics to best deliver UK policy at the Security Council.

• Working with colleagues in the UK Mission, and colleagues across the UK network of posts and from other UK Government departments, to deliver UK objectives through the UN and to provide strategic advice to London in developing wider UK policy.

• Briefing UK Permanent Representative for, and reporting on, Security Council and other high-level meetings.

• Working flexibly across the team to provide cover for the Team Leader and other senior policy advisers where necessary and developing policy on cross-cutting issues e.g. peacekeeping, conflict and sanctions work. Working flexibly across Political Section to provide wider cover where needed.

This is a challenging role with the opportunity to lead on some of the Security Council’s highest profile issues and to develop specific expertise on WPS and conflict issues. The portfolio will grow as the job holder gains experience in the role. You will work in a fast-paced and changing environment and must be willing to support other team members and priorities as needed.

• An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant field;

• At least four years of relevant work experience;

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a larger team;

• Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities across a range of tasks and responsibilities that require long-term planning, as well as reaction to urgent day-to-day developments;

• Proven track record of influencing a wide range of stakeholders, and strong briefing skills;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;

• Ability to deliver at pace.

Under US State Department requirements, the Mission may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A or NATO visa holders with EAD cards. If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Mission. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at

www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.