View Vacancy - KL - Policy & Programme Officer, Bilateral Diplomacy, EO

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)

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission in Malaysia maintains and develops the close relationship between the UK and Malaysia, promotes British interests, and coordinates the political, economic, environmental and commercial activities of the British government. 

Through our UK-Malaysia and UK-ASEAN partnerships, we collaborate on a number of programmes to support UK-Malaysia mutual prosperity. 

The jobholder will provide effective research, programme management and financial administration support to the Bilateral Diplomacy Team at the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur. The jobholder will contribute to the delivery of results in line with the High Commission’s Country Business Plan; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Integrated Review and International Development Strategy objectives in the Indo-Pacific; and the UK-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership action plan.


Day to day, the main purpose of this job is:

  • Provide support for policy research and analysis across the thematic areas of economics & trade diplomacy, health, education, and skills;
  • Provide support for multi-year programmes and short-term projects in the above thematic areas, working closely with thematic leads within Bilateral Diplomacy and other departments; 
  • Leading on project procurement, financial management and reporting; and 
  • Delivery of all the above requirements in line with the FCDO Programme Operating Framework, and other corporate policies, rules and guidance.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Policy research support

  • Understanding UK key priorities in Malaysia through the Integrated Review, International Development Strategy and UK-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership. The jobholder’s focus will be on the thematic work areas of economics & trade diplomacy, health, education, and skills.
  • Supporting research requirements, including information gathering, basic data analysis and data visualisation. Producing usable drafts for policy leads, summarising discussions and keeping records.
  • Working collaboratively with programme officers in other thematic areas of sustainability, climate, rule of law, and human rights to provide overall view of UK priorities.

Project/Programme delivery

  • Working together with the Programme Leads to manage project/programme finances. This includes setting up of new projects with the Financial Hub in Manila (the FCDO’s regional corporate hub), managing procurement and contracts, financial reporting, and monitoring financial risks.
  • Develop mechanisms to monitor spend vs. forecast, looking at value for money (VfM) and challenging where necessary. Keeping abreast of FCDO programme spend rules and guidance to ensure spending compliance. 
  • Organising the Programme Board quarterly meeting. Preparing board documents and presentations, collating updates from Programme Leads, and drafting meeting minutes. 
  • Supporting events, communications and stakeholder engagements. 
  • Organising incoming and outgoing visits for projects.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 


Supporting Policy and Programme Leads with policy research, project/programme procurement, and financial management.


  • Graduate with university degree OR equivalent skills certificate, ideally in (but not limited to) business studies, social studies, international development, economics, or applied sciences.
  • Ability to do independent research on the key thematic areas, with proven capabilities for basic analysis, report writing and presenting data.
  • At least 2 years’ experience in programme/project management or delivery. Confidence working with numbers and budgets.
  • Strong knowledge in IT applications and Microsoft Office, including spreadsheets, graphs, and use of infographics for reporting.
  • Evidence of self-motivation, professionalism and the ability to work under minimal supervision.
  • Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills. Confidence to express ideas clearly and concisely.

Language requirements: 

Language:  English, Bahasa Malaysia

Level of language required: Fluent written and spoken 

  • Experience with UK and/or international programmes; experience with corporate consultants or multilateral organisations will be an advantage.
  • Knowledge and basic understanding of thematic areas of economics, public health, education and skills. Prior experience in programmes from these thematic areas will be an advantage.
  • Knowledge of working with government in Malaysia.
  • Basic understanding of the UK, British Government, particularly the FCDO, and the British High Commission.
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
8 December 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
36.25
12 months
Asia Pacific
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
British High Commission
1
MYR
MYR 6,500
15 March 2023

This is advertised as a full-time, fixed-term role in Kuala Lumpur.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package, benefits, leave entitlement of 20 days per annum (calculated on pro rata basis) and a range of learning and development opportunities including courses, access to significant on line training materials and on the job learning and development opportunities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to developing its staff, working hard to provide a comprehensive learning and development offer. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities.

The job-holder will be required to take some specific training courses related to their role. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.

In addition to formal training, collaboration with a wide range of colleagues will deliver on-the-job learning experiences, including

  • Working in a diplomatic mission;
  • Understanding how UK international development assistance is managed / implemented;
  • Understanding effective programme management (including Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation, and Learning). 

Working patterns:

The British High Commission supports flexible working. This includes flexi-hours and up to two days working from home, in agreement with a jobholder’s line manager. 

Some evening and weekend work is required on occasions. British High Commission Malaysia Standard Terms and Conditions apply and these provide for time worked outside of working hours to be compensated through Time Off In Lieu.

Please note that your application must be submitted before 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. 

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. 

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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.