View Vacancy - Senior Political Analyst

Main purpose of job:

Lead a small team that provides high quality analysis, advice and reporting on the domestic political situations in Mexico, both for an embassy audience and London stakeholders. Lead on the embassy’s political engagement, supporting other Embassy teams to develop plans. Organise or contribute to the organisation of visits to the UK or Mexico and provide briefings on Mexico’s domestic political situation to visitors.   Maintain a network of external contacts in support of Embassy objectives. Contribute to aspects of Embassy security policy, including reporting on the security situation.

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

This is an exciting job working in the Embassy’s Political Section. You will be a senior advisor to the Ambassador and Head of Political. You will lead on in-depth reporting and analysis of Mexico’s domestic political situation (e.g. elections and political parties, national institutions, legislative processes, domestic security and a range of other issues).   You will also lead on political engagement, and develop strategies for UK engagement with the federal executive and legislative powers, as well with state governments. You will support other teams to develop engagement plans and to deliver their objectives across the wide range of issues that the Embassy covers.

To deliver successfully, with the support of a small team, you will be expected to have a deep understanding of Mexico’s political and security situation and to follow current events closely. You will maintain a broad network of contacts who will help you to remain informed and who you can call upon to participate in embassy events or visits when strategic or necessary; and use your contacts in support of Embassy objectives, making introductions and supporting the Ambassador to navigate Mexican politics. You will own and implement an engagement strategies to ensure the Embassy is well-connected across the Federal Government, Congress and State Governments. You will also have an understanding of Mexico’s relationships with its neighbours and of the broader dynamics in the region.

As the embassy expert on the domestic situation, the Ambassador and other senior colleagues will often call on you for advice and you will be asked to brief visitors (including very senior ones) from the UK on the situation in Mexico.   You will also contribute to written briefings for senior visitors. Accuracy and attention to detail are important, as is a deep understanding of UK interests in Mexico.

You will also require relationships with Mexican security institutions and be asked to produce regular reporting on the security situation in Mexico, contributing to various areas of security policy.

You will manage a small team, taking responsibility for the team’s overall work, providing them with support and helping them to develop new capabilities.

The team works flexibly so you will be asked to contribute on other portfolios, supporting teams right across the embassy. All members of the embassy are also expected to make a corporate contribution and there are a wide range of roles from which to choose.

Resources managed:

One political officer

One intern

Small travel budget

• A BA degree in political science or a related field.
• At least three years of relevant work experience in political practice and/or analysis. 
• A solid understanding of Mexico’s political and security situation.
• An ability to analyse and explore issues in depth and to communicate information and your analysis clearly, both orally, and in writing.