View Vacancy - Press and Political Officer - C4

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

Main purpose of job:

The Press and Political Officer is an exciting, vital role for the UK government in Nepal. The Officer will provide high-quality political analysis to the UK Government in Nepal and London on a range of domestic and regional issues, and lead press and communications for the British Embassy. 

The Officer’s purpose is to access people and information that UK staff cannot reach or read about in the news, as well as providing unbiased, quality analysis that could only come from a well-connected, in-country member of staff. The successful applicant will be joining a small but dynamic political team in a prestigious Embassy environment. The role will give access to senior decision-makers in the UK and Nepali Governments, and requires high levels of autonomy, fluency in English and quality decision-making. 

Roles and responsibilities:

The roles and responsibilities of the Press and Political Officer are varied and stretching – the job comes with plenty of opportunities for someone willing and able to take on the challenge. The main roles and responsibilities are: 

Political reporting

Provide timely, high-quality written analysis, briefings and diplomatic telegrams to the British Embassy/ FCO London to enhance their understanding of Nepali political issues, both domestic and regional, and how these impact the UK Government’s vision of a stable and prosperous Nepal. Keep up to date with emerging issues through meeting with (at least once a week) contacts and suggest key decision makers for the Ambassador and team to meet. Build and maintain an influential portfolio of contacts among Nepali politicians, bureaucrats, wider civil society and journalists.  

Public diplomacy/communications lead

Maintain and implement the UK Government Communication Plan in coordination with the Department for International Development, Ministry of Defence and British Council to deliver effective public diplomacy in support of the UK Government’s objectives in Nepal. Communications work includes: strategic communications planning; designing and implementing media campaigns; managing press coverage; drafting and issuing press releases; placing op-eds; meeting journalists; managing the Embassy’s social media presence; and managing the Ambassador’s media sector engagement. Respond to general emails sent to the Embassy.

Visits

Contribute to successful incoming and outgoing visits in pursuit of UK Government objectives in Nepal through effective organisation and briefing. Advise the Ambassador/Deputy Head of Mission on Provincial and Local Government visits to achieve maximum impact of the UK Government strategy. Develop a greater understanding of the political situation/mood outside Kathmandu through organisation and/or participation in field visits (3 in reporting year).

Chevening Programme

Maximise output from the Chevening Programme through effective management of the scholarship programme by: creative promoting/marketing that offers value for money and aims to increase quality applications; organising interviews in close collaboration with London Chevening Secretariat; and maintaining contact with the alumni network in Nepal to see where they can help the UK achieve its objectives. Engage the network in an Embassy event at least twice a year. Manage the FCO’s International Leadership Programme in Nepal by helping select candidates and maintaining and utilising connections with alumni network.

Language requirements:

Language: Nepali, English

Level of language required: Native Nepali speaker, fluent English speaker

Working patterns: Flexible working is allowed as per the worldwide FCO policy. More information is available upon request.

Learning and development opportunities:

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers multiple development opportunities for its staff. This ranges from in-house training for e.g. crisis response, to distance learning university courses on a range of subjects. The type of training undertaken by the Officer will vary depending on the Officer and business need. 

Resources managed:

This position does not currently have line management responsibilities but this could change in the future. The Officer is able to bid to London for funds for small projects (in recent years around £15,000 per annum).

Essential on arrival: Five years’ work experience in a relevant field (government, politics, journalism, etc.); BA in a relevant subject (e.g. politics, journalism, international relations, development); ability to provide quality, unbiased insight and analysis into Nepal’s political situation; clear, concise and informative writing style in English; ability to work independently and handle responsibility; contacts across Nepal’s political scene, with ability to make more; computer literacy with Microsoft Windows programs; ability to use multiple social media platforms.

Desirable: Experience working on strategic communications in a professional environment; English-Nepali translation (and vice versa); experience with public policy making; experience working with Government of Nepal; experience working with foreign diplomatic missions.

13 December 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Permanent
36
South Asia & Afghanistan
Nepal
Kathmandu
British Embassy
1
NPR
NPR 152,421 per month which is paid 13 times in a year.
1 January 2019

SALARY PACKAGE: 

For British Embassy candidates, the Local Staff BE Terms & Conditions will apply.  For candidates external to the British Embassy, the total annual remuneration package for this position is NPR 1,981,472, + 10% Provident Fund Contribution. There is a limited amount of scope for salary flexibility depending on the candidate’s experience.

The successful candidate will be provided with annual leave, maternity/paternity and membership in the Embassy, medical benefits scheme as per the Terms & Conditions of Services. The British Embassy in Kathmandu is part of a worldwide network of 240 Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

To Apply: 

Please note applications without (a)(b) and (c) will not be considered.

a)    Complete the Online Application Form.

b)    Attach a detailed CV.

c)    Complete the Motivation Segment and competency based question in the Online Application Form.

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers. Else the application will not be considered. 

We will accept only online applications by ­­13 December 2018 midnight.

Please Note:

  • Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
  • The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly. 

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.