View Vacancy - Economic and Trade Policy Officer, Minsk (BLR18.527)

The British Embassy in Minsk is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

The Embassy is seeking to recruit an Economic and Trade Policy Officer who will lead on economic analysis, research and projects.  The jobholder will be part of a small team working closely to the Deputy Head of Mission.  This position is responsible for delivering the Embassy’s economic diplomacy and economic project-related work. 

Economic Diplomacy

• Closely follow economic developments both within the country and regionally as it affects Belarus. Provide analysis for regional and Whitehall stakeholders, including on energy issues, and input to the development of our economic policy towards Belarus.  Provide joint reporting with regional posts, for example on the Eurasian Economic Union
• Maintain a network of contacts with the UN, World Bank, EBRD, IMF, IFC to identify barriers to doing business faced by foreign investors and exporters, in order to provide sound advice to UK companies, and to identify suitable entry points with the GoB to address these barriers
• Understand and explain the political and economic context for trade and investment between the UK and Belarus, its implications for UK companies and how HMG can support prosperity in Belarus. Work with colleagues in the Embassy and with DIT Istanbul to deliver direct support to British businesses to boost UK trade and exports to Belarus, including through trade missions and exhibitions

Economic Projects

• Support the Embassy’s Programme Officer to deliver FCO Programme funds dedicated to economic projects, including regular liaison with programme implementers, provide guidance and reassurance on compliance and support the ongoing oversight of programme activity, arranging meetings and visits, and providing progress summaries
• Promote the UK’s programme work in Belarus by identifying economic opportunities to highlight UK practices and bring UK economic experts to Belarus to exchange views

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain a wide network of contacts including in the Government of Belarus (GoB), and international financial Institutions (IFIs) represented locally, to effectively monitor, analyse, and write reports about economic developments in Belarus; contribute to the analysis of regional relations, including the Eurasian Economic Union; follow developments that may impact on the business environment; become the Embassy’s economic expert capable of briefing UK visitors and senior leaders including UK Ministers on the economic situation in Belarus  
• Contribute to wider Embassy policy analysis; respond to enquiries from UK Government departments on a range of policy issues, particularly around economic, trade, social, environmental and energy affairs, infrastructure, and agriculture
• Support the Global Britain Programme fund on economic projects, contribute ideas, follow-up with contacts, provide guidance and support to promote the UK’s outreach work by identifying economic projects and capacity building opportunities to enhance and develop the UK’s reputation in Belarus
• Arrange economic meetings and briefings for UK visitors to Belarus, and accompany them during their stay in the country as required
• Monitor the media with a specific focus on economic news, reviews and events; provide regular reporting to the Ambassador, senior managers, regional and London departments on topical economic news and events
• Attend, interpret and note take at meetings with the Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission, UK Ministers and other visitors as necessary
• Contribute to the development of business links between UK and Belarusian companies and bilateral cooperation between UK and Belarus, including arranging UK trade missions to Belarus

We are seeking a confident, reliable, hard-working and resourceful officer who has attention to detail and the motivation to get things done with minimal supervision.  We are a small, ambitious team where everyone has responsibility for driving forward their area of work, where a pro-active attitude is necessary and where diversity is valued.  The successful candidate will have good people skills, an ability to explain complex economic matters to non-economists, an understanding of UK-Belarus relations from an economic, political and social context.  You will have good written and spoken English-language skills, will be able to build an effective operational network both in Belarus and across the region because of your excellent communication and engagement skills. 

 The key skills are:  

• a minimum of five years of relevant work experience, including evidence of economic reporting and analysis;
• Strong interpersonal, self-organisation and prioritisation;
• Effective communication, including written and spoken fluency in English and Russian and ability to adapt communication style to different situations;
• Strong analytical and judgement;
• Ability and willingness to work effectively and flexibly including out of office hours; and to travel within Belarus and overseas occasionally; and to contribute to special events/occasions in the Embassy calendar;
• A self-starter who takes responsibility for their individual performance and works well both individually and in a team;
• Excellent organisation;
• Genuine interest, willingness and desire to continually learn and develop;