View Vacancy - Political Officer, Grade - B3 (L)

The British Consulate-General in Jerusalem is seeking an ambitious and dynamic Political Officer.

Objective:

The successful candidate will provide analysis, advice and reporting on a wide range of Palestinian political and human rights issues. They will be responsible for ensuring that the Consul General, colleagues within the Consulate-General, the wider Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Other Government Departments have a good understanding of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). They will build a wide network of contacts and organise innovative campaigns, projects and visits to communities in the West Bank, representing the British Government in official meetings.

This is a busy and interesting role within the Consulate-General, which we are looking to fill with an individual who is motivated, proactive and creative. The role provides an excellent opportunity for someone with a keen interest in politics and human rights, who would like to develop their analytical and communication skills.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

•Create and maintain a strong network of political and human rights contacts to assist with political analysis and reporting, e.g. PA, PLO members, Palestinian youth, UN, ICRC, NGOs, Palestinian human rights organisations, think-tanks.

•Conduct analysis and write reports on developments in Palestinian politics, the impact of the occupation and human rights in the West Bank including East Jerusalem (working alongside a Gaza Political Officer). Negotiate and agree reports on the impact of the occupation with colleagues from the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.

•Provide regular advice and briefing to the Consul General, visiting British Ministers and officials, staff from the Consulate-General and the wider Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Other Government Departments.

•Organise outreach visits to communities across the West Bank, representing the British Government and reporting on the situation on the ground (e.g. impact of settler violence, demolitions).

•Plan innovative projects, campaigns and events to support Palestinian communities, e.g. olive harvest campaign.

•Line management: Effective management of Public Affairs Assistant (A2).

•Contribute to wider Engagement Team and Consulate-General objectives which may vary during the course of this job, e.g. Chevening scholarship scheme and alumni engagement, media monitoring, crisis preparedness.

Skills and Experience:

Essential:

• Excellent research, analysis and communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English and spoken Arabic.
• Strong networking and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build professional relationships with key contacts over a short space of time.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of Palestinian political system, culture, media environment and society.
• Knowledge of human rights and International Humanitarian Law and its application within the OPTs.
• Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines.
• Undergraduate degree qualification.
• Able to interpret in meetings between spoken Arabic and English.
• Good IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes such as Word, Excel and Outlook.