View Vacancy - Political Officer - Cape Town (18/18 CPT)

Main purpose of job:
Providing high-quality analysis and advice on political developments in South Africa, particularly in the National Assembly, and delivering related work in line with the UK’s bilateral objectives in South Africa. Deliver visit programmes and logistics for UK VIPS and senior UK officials.

Roles and responsibilities:

• This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of the Political Section at the British High Commission. It is a high profile policy position, you will be working at the core of the UK’s diplomatic mission in Cape Town, alongside the Consul General and High Commissioner to deliver UK diplomatic priorities. The job holder should be a self-starter comfortable operating across a wide range of topics, your role will include domestic and foreign affairs, as well as economics, business and trade.  The job holder should be willing to adapt to new challenges and deliver under pressure, as a part of a diverse team.
• Engaging Parliament is a crucial part of the job. You will have a particular focus on legislative, policy and political events in South Africa’s parliament. You will need to track, analyse and report on political, legal and social developments in South Africa through regular attendance at National Assembly debates and Committee sessions. 
• As varied as it is interesting, the role is packed with opportunity. It is an excellent opening for a committed and tested political professional to advance their career through unique exposure to the full range of diplomatic business. You will be part of – and contributing to - an inclusive and dynamic team, committed to developing the skills of its staff.  There are opportunities for regional and international travel.
• There is plenty of big picture work but getting small details right is crucial. You will be responsible for planning and delivering programmes, calls and visits for the Consul General, High Commissioner and visiting UK ministers and officials. And there is some logistical and protocol work needed to make the political section tick. Supporting the wider mission here in Cape Town will be important too – lending a hand on consular or trade issues at busy points may be needed. So we need a flexible team player. 
• Political Section is a hard working but friendly team who strive for a good work life balance. This job sometimes involves travel and out of hours work, for which time off in lieu can be claimed.

Outline of specific roles and responsibilities:

• Advising the Consul General, High Commissioner and wider teams on key political and policy issues. The successful candidate will a have strong knowledge of South Africa and South African politics and able to quickly understand and explain a diverse range of complex policy issues. Some of the issues you will be expected to work on include: business environment, trade policy, good governance, foreign policy, economic transformation and land reform. The jobholder will have a key role in advising on opposition party dynamics.
• Engagement. Strong networks will be fundamental to informing your analysis.  The jobholder will need to develop a network and engage proactively and creatively with Government, MPs, NGOs and civil society, as well as business to inform UK policy and influence South African stakeholders.
• Monitoring Parliament for significant political, social, business and trade policy issues in South Africa. Tracking progress on specific bills and other parliamentary initiatives is a key aspect of the role. Producing thorough research, analysis and strategic advice on options for UK engagement.  These will range from brief urgent updates to longer analytical pieces for UK ministers and officials. Excellent written and verbal communications will be essential. This will involve the successful candidate working across teams in South Africa in our offices in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town and across government departments in London – the ability to work collaboratively across teams is important.
• As a member of the Political Team, you will also be fully involved with the day to day tasks of bilateral diplomacy including monitoring developments, organising events and programmes for visiting Ministers and officials. A number of corporate and protocol tasks are also shared across the team.

• University degree (masters preferable)
• Minimum 2 years relevant experience
• Deep knowledge and understanding of South African politics and society

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required:  Excellent English written and spoken skills are essential. Additional African languages would be desirable.