View Vacancy - Political Officer (07/18 LIL)

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)
Chancery

Main purpose of job:

To provide the British High Commission in Lilongwe and British government officials in London with high quality political reporting and impartial analysis, with a particular focus on domestic political reporting. The jobholder will build a wide network of contacts in government, civil society, academia, private sector and the media to understand and advise on developments.  Working very closely with colleagues from the Department for International Development, the jobholder will help to deliver deeper and broader cooperation between the UK and Malawi against key priorities including through delivery of events, visits and projects.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Analyse and report on political and governance developments in Malawi
  • Develop key contacts for the High Commission, particularly in the political, academic, civil society and media sectors
  • Produce ideas and initiatives that help to promote HMG’s objectives in Malawi, including through public diplomacy and visits, and assist with the implementation of small projects run by the High Commission
  • Represent the High Commission at external events
  • Stand in for the comms officer to cover periods of training/leave.
  • TBC: directly line manage a projects officer working on Human Rights and governance projects.
  • The successful candidate will work in partnership with DFID’s governance team as part of a joined up British Government approach. The applicant should be able to undertake travel and training, both in Malawi and abroad and sometimes work outside core hours.
  • Participate in broader corporate and team activities, contributing to overall wellbeing and staff morale in the High Commission.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

1 member of staff; small project funds (approx. £30,000)


Working patterns:

Some out of hours work might be expected. A system of TOIL is in place.

  • Degree from a recognised university
  • Minimum of 5 years working on political and governance-related issues
  • Good knowledge of Malawi’s political environment and the country’s issues with sound judgement, strategic awareness and analytical skills
  • Ability to work well as a team; self-starter with confidence to take issues forward and to engage people of influence
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office applications

Language requirements:

Language: English; understand Chichewa

Level of language required: High level of proficiency in Written and spoken English.

16 July 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Permanent
Africa
Malawi
Lilongwe
British High Commission
USD
2,462.40
1 August 2018

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

The job will offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities including formal training courses (online, in Malawi and externally); job shadowing, mentoring and coaching; and on the job development.

  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
  • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position. 
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Lilongwe are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Malawi. 
  • 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. 
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;

1.    Obtain the relevant permit

2.    Pay fees for the permit

3.    Make arrangements to relocate

4.    Meet the costs to relocation

The British High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so. 

  • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. 
  • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5  
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
  • If you don’t already hold a valid SA Police Clearance Certificate, we recommend that you apply for the certificate at the time of your application.
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.