View Vacancy - Press and Politics Officer, UK Mission to Afghanistan

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.
UK Mission
Political

The UK Mission to Afghanistan at the British Embassy in Doha is part of a worldwide network that represents political, economic, security and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Press and Politics Officer, job grade Executive Officer (EO).

The successful candidate will provide political and media reporting on Afghanistan through analysis of Pashto and Dari media, support UKMIS’ public communications efforts through social media support and translation services, and assist in day-to-day political and logistical functions of the Mission.

Duties and responsibilities:

Politics & Press Reporting

Produce daily press summaries for UKMIS and wider network by analysing Pashto and Dari media (including social media). Summarise key developments and debates in a daily round-up providing insight into trends, discussions and events in Afghanistan’s public and politics.

Communications & Social Media

Support UKMIS in publishing Pashto and Dari-language content on Social Media channels to deliver on this approach. Advise UKMIS on communications approach in order to maximise impact and reach multiple Afghan audiences.

Politics & Logistics Support

Support Political Team by helping to develop and manage UKMIS’ network with a broad range of contacts across the political spectrum in Afghanistan – including with de facto authorities, provincial and local leaders, minority groups, civil society, and the media. Help to prioritise, plan and co-ordinate the delivery of UKMIS engagements with these contacts while providing advice on local culture and customs and translation.

Chevening Scholarships

Coordinate, manage and deliver UKMIS’ process for Chevening Scholarship applications from Afghanistan. 

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key Behaviours:

  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English, Pashto and Dari (this will be tested at interview).
  • A detailed and in depth knowledge and understanding of Afghan politics, history and culture.
  • An established network of political contacts in Afghanistan, including in provinces outside of Kabul.
  • Experience of external communications including social media.
  • Confidence to express ideas clearly and concisely. Credibility and personal impact to engage with senior UK/Afghan political figures.
  • Personal initiative, drive and ability to work both independently and as a part of a team.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and team working skills.
  • Strong planning, organisational and time management skills.
  • Flexibility and resilience to deliver results under pressure. Creative thinking skills.
  • It is essential to have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
  • Building the capabilities of the team for political analysis and reporting and stakeholder management.
  • Experience of working in an international context.
Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
7 December 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
11 months
Middle East & North Africa
Qatar
Doha
British Embassy
1
QAR
16129
7 January 2023

Eligibility:

Applicants must already reside in Qatar and hold the right to live and work there, including those either under spouse sponsorship or be able to transfer an existing sponsorship to the British Embassy. If sponsorship transfer is required, all sponsorship incurred fees shall be borne by the successful applicant. The Embassy cannot guarantee how much cost or time it may take for the process to complete. 

Working Hours and Remuneration:


The British Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package, including non-negotiable salary of QR 15,329 per calendar month and transportation allowance of QR 800 per calendar month, paid in arrears. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The contract will be for a full-time employment, on a fixed-term basis for 11 months with a possibility of renewal, subject to three (3) months’ probation period.

The successful candidate will be directly employed by the British Embassy and work under their current terms and conditions. In effect, they will be seconded to the UK Mission to Afghanistan on a joint platform. 

The successful candidate will not be required to travel to Afghanistan. 

Both the UK Mission to Afghanistan and British Embassy Doha are enjoyable and supportive places to work with opportunities to experience Qatar through a unique lens. Exposure to senior visitors and activities is the norm and every member of staff is encouraged to participate in the life of the Missions to the fullest.

Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Embassy working hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Sundays to Wednesdays and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Due to the nature of the work, some out of hours working may be necessary but we aim to keep this to an absolute minimum.

The Embassy supports flexible working including working from home for some part of the working week, and is committed to helping its staff maintain a healthy work life balance. This role will be a full time role based in Doha, and the successful individual will need to be able to travel in to British Embassy Doha on a regular basis. However, the UK Mission is willing to consider options for flexible working including hybrid working, compressed hours, flexi-time etc.

The Embassy has an active Continuous Professional Development Committee, and the whole of Post is committed to providing the time and resources for staff to develop professionally. The 70/20/10 learning and development model is applied flexibility, with both internal and formal opportunities readily available.

The UK Mission to Afghanistan is strongly committed to the Learning and Development of all members of the team, and to working flexibility to facilitate buidling the capacity of all in the mission. Because we are a small team, we are able to tailor potential L&D opportunities to suit individual preference. Examples of current activities include language training, assistance with career development, providing networking and diplomacy training. The Mission works closely with the British Embassy Doha to provide a wide range of opoprtunities. In addition, this role will offer frequent exposure to Ambassadors and senior officials who will be able to provide tailored and valuable learning opportunities.

The successful candidate will need to commence security clearance procedures through the Embassy and will be required to have or obtain the appropriate security clearance before employment commences and maintain this throughout period of employment.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and 3) examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required. 

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.  

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 07 December 2022 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered. 

Process:

 The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

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.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances, medical clearance and reference checks.

 Interviews are tentatively scheduled for 15th or 18th December 2022

The UK Mission to Afghanistan and British Embassy Doha is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Qatari employment law.

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.