View Vacancy - JKT - Political Officer for Foreign Policy, EO
Main Purpose of Job:
The jobholder will be expected to deliver best in class insight and analysis on foreign policy developments in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, provide project management support to funded initiatives in both countries, offer nuanced advice on how to develop the UK-Indonesia bilateral relationship, and lead on high-level engagement between UK and Indonesian VIPs. The jobholder will contribute flexibly to support the wider work of the Foreign and Security Policy Team in line with evolving UK priorities that help boost our security relationship. During the initial period of employment, the focus will be on supporting existing political and project work in Timor-Leste as we move towards re-opening a British Embassy in Dili, however the focus of the role will become predominantly Indonesia focussed over time.
Other priorities could include work on geographical and thematic issues e.g. the Pacific Islands, Russia-Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa and maritime affairs. Actions will include pro-active contact-building among relevant stakeholders, supporting lobbying efforts, visits, events, reporting and communications of the Embassy’s foreign and security policy work. The project management element of the role will also need the jobholder to have an eye for detail. The successful postholder will be resilient, flexible and committed to an inclusive workplace culture where individuals and teams thrive. Staff are also expected to take on a corporate responsibility to support the working environment.
What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:
You will be part of the Foreign and Security Policy (FSP) Team which covers Indonesian foreign policy, but which is also responsible for the UK’s relations with Timor-Leste, as currently we do not (yet) have a British Embassy in Timor-Leste. In this role, you will be responsible for the following:
- Relationship Management (25%): In consultation with the Head/Deputy Head of Section, maintain and develop a network of senior-level foreign policy contacts across the line Ministries (in particular the MFAs), political parties, academia, civil society, business and think-tanks, leveraging those relationships to further the UK’s understanding of key issues and to strengthen bilateral collaboration; maintaining relations with UK based HMG stakeholders is another key component of the job.
- Political Research and Analysis (25%): Independently track and analyse high-level foreign policy developments in Timor-Leste and Indonesia through a mixture of (a) open-source research and (b) intel gathering from contacts, packaging the information gathered into high quality written reports for colleagues across the network, and briefs and ideas for VIP visits which further UK objectives, including meetings and regional visits for the Ambassador and visiting Ministers.
- Event Management (20%): In consultation with the Head/Deputy Head of Section, lead on the organization of internal/external meetings and events run by the FSP Team, e.g. working with other colleagues in the team to source and book meeting rooms and refreshments, identifying/inviting participants, drafting and circulating agendas/minutes/event concept notes, and following up on action points etc.
- Project Management (20%): Supporting the effective financial management of projects throughout the programme cycle in line with audit requirements and financial rules, while also ensuring Value for Money (VFM). Tasks will include providing spending forecasts across the financial year, risk management, the timely payment of invoices/claims, handling of paperwork for bids, progress reports, evaluation and some bid assessment/development.
- Corporate (10%): Supporting the delivery of internal corporate responsibilities; participating in crisis management work as required; supporting the wider work of the Foreign Security Policy team as required.
The jobholder will work closely with the Head/Deputy Heads of Section to identify evolving work priorities. Day-to-day, however, the jobholder will be expected to use their knowledge of foreign policy to pro-actively identify and highlight key policy developments, tap into local expertise that provides insights into those issues and produce high-quality internal reports that are both engaging and succinct.
Resources Managed (staff and expenditure):
- There are no formal line management responsibilities. However, the role comes with significant opportunity to lead and drive the UK bilateral relationships with Indonesia and Timor-Leste working with a full range of staff at different level of seniority.
- Managing programme spend will form a part of the role.
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, e.g. International Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, etc.
- A minimum of 2+ years' experience working for an organisation, preferably in a relevant field
- Strong understanding of the Indonesian foreign policy / ASEAN, the policies and personalities of the main players in foreign policy decision-making, preferably with relevant work experience
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience of managing diverse and senior level relationships
Language Requirements:
- English, Bahasa Indonesia
- Level of language required: Fluent in both written and verbal
- Knowledge of at least one key geographical or thematic policy area, e.g. maritime, SE Asia etc.
- Knowledge or experience of project management and relevant skills such as budgetting and finance
- Knowledge of Timor-Leste’s developmental needs and political situation
The role is advertised as a 12-month fixed term contract.
The British Embassy Jakarta offers a competitive remuneration package including:
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year
- Medical benefit (medical insurance)
- Access to extensive learning and development opportunities
Working Patterns:
Normal working hours are 39.5 (gross) per week: 07:30hrs to 16:00hrs from Monday to Thursday and 07:30hrs to 13:00hrs. The team operates a ‘core hours’ policy of 09:00hrs to 15:00hrs with individual flexibility around that and we are open to requests to work condensed hours, subject to business need.
The British Embassy supports flexible working patterns within operational constraints; however, all staff must work from the office at least three days per week. Though based in Jakarta, the job will require some travel to Timor-Leste usually consisting of trips lasting 3-4 days per visit.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Jakarta is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law. In relation to this, the successful candidate will need to arrange for his/her own Police Certificate.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
Learning and Development Opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
- Compulsory online training courses include Diversity and Inclusion, data protection, safeguarding and security.
- Additional online courses offered via the UK Diplomatic Academy on Programme Delivery, Leadership and Management, Corporate Skills and on Europe and the UK government.
- The British Embassy has an active L&D Committee and offers a wide range of in-house training and funding for external training on policy and programme work.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
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.
Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined.
Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format to prepare specific examples of when they have demonstrated these behaviours in their application. Using the STAR format to provide evidence of your skills and experience in your application and at interview helps to give a structure. You briefly describe the situation in which you showed the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.
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The start date mentioned in the job 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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.