View Vacancy - Senior Policy Officer
An exciting and challenging opportunity to work at the UK Mission to the United Nations, driving UK engagement and strategy towards the General Assembly (GA) of the United Nations to underpin the step-change in the UK’s activity in the UN as it leaves the EU. The Senior Policy Officer will lead on: work to enhance the UK Mission’s expertise on the GA; assessing and prioritising UK engagement with partners and on initiatives across the GA; providing policy advice to senior managers in the Mission, and colleagues in London, on choices to enhance UK influence and how better to achieve UK objectives in the GA.
The successful candidate will be in a busy team that leads on UK strategy in the GA, working closely with colleagues handling wider Development, Reform Climate Change and Human Rights policies. The role involves consulting and influencing a broad spectrum of contacts across the UN, in the non-government sector and in UK Government departments in London.
The ideal candidate will have a flexible approach and be a strong team player. They will be comfortable managing competing and evolving demands in a fast paced environment, some organisational and bureaucratic and others relating to key policy choices and priorities; and they will have the judgement and ability to provide strategic advice to the Permanent Representative and down on key interventions that will make a difference to advancing UK objectives. They will have strong policy collaboration skills, and be confident defending their views or selling an initiative to senior policy managers, capable of negotiating competing cross-Whitehall priorities, and demonstrate an enthusiasm for making a positive contribution to the workings and culture of the wider mission. They will also be able to work efficiently through large amounts of GA material to prioritise work and advise managers on engagement opportunities.
As the UK Mission continues to restructure to meet the demands of leaving the EU, there will likely be adjustments to the role in the future. Therefore, the successful candidate will be one who is willing to take on new work and changed priorities enthusiastically and must be willing to support other team members on work outside their own role.
Responsibilities:
This is a policy development and delivery role, heavily focused on developing expertise on, advising about influencing strategies in, and coordinating workflow across, the GA in the UN. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, those outlined below:
- Build and maintain understanding of UK priorities and Member States positions across the GA, preparing statements and policy briefs and recommendations – and use this knowledge to help set UK priorities;
- Lead policy advice to other members of the Mission and senior managers on how to advance UK objectives in the GA, on priorities for engagement and on when and how to make the best strategic interventions;
- Ensure coordinated and effective UK engagement across the whole GA through monitoring issues and initiatives in the GA and coordinating the UK response;
- Build and manage effective relationships between the UK and a broad range of stakeholders on a varied set of policy areas, representing UK views to stakeholders (including senior diplomats from other countries);
- Lead work to ensure momentum and coherence to the step-change in the Mission’s overall approach to work in the GA;
- Assist in other policy areas and issues as needed, working flexibly and adjusting to changing priorities, especially covering for colleagues when absent or surging to new priorities outside the core role.
There is considerable scope for personal development in the range of responsibilities outlined.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Ability to deliver high quality results on multiple areas of work to tight deadlines, mixing organisational work more challenging policy advice.
- A team player able to work flexibly, prioritise across a variety of policy areas, and take on new work outside of core responsibilities.
- Ability to assess and prioritise large amounts of information and coordinate responses and engagement.
- Proven track record of developing relationships and influencing a wide range of stakeholders;
- Strong organizational skills and effective at both long-term planning and reacting to urgent day-to-day developments;
Under US State Department requirements, the Mission may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or G visa holders*. If you hold a visa other than an G visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Mission. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.ukinusa.com. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
- Experience of work in public service/ public sector experience;
- Knowledge of the work of the UN, particularly in New York;
- Knowledge of international relations or international development/ social and economic issues;
- Familiarity with the UK Government.
The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.
Learning and development opportunities: The Mission supports the professional learning and development of all colleagues. While the UN schedule can be demanding and occasionally inflexible, the Mission’s leadership is committed to doing all it can to improve the work/life balance of its staff, and encourages flexible working when possible.
Resume and a cover letter should be submitted by 19 March 2019. Internal candidates must inform the Head of Group before applying.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or other category protected by law.
The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.
Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with US, state, and/or local employment law.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
