View Vacancy - Policy Adviser – Human Rights & Development

Main purpose of job:

As part of the small development team in the Embassy’s Foreign Policy, Security and Development Section, you will help to advance the UK’s development and equalities objectives and contribute to further strengthening UK-US collaboration on priority issues and regions. You will be responsible for human rights policy, including the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) agenda, as well as leading on top development priorities for the UK – portfolio to be determined, but reflective of the Embassy’s strong engagement on development finance, gender, conflict prevention, food security and resilience. You will ensure that UK Government colleagues have a comprehensive understanding of US policy towards these issues; build and utilise effective networks to influence US policy makers inside and outside of the Administration (including with Congress, in Think Tanks and the wider policy and advocacy communities); provide an effective contribution to policy development in London; work closely with colleagues across the Embassy and Departments in London to deliver UK objectives; and contribute to the wider Embassy and US network corporate priorities.

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

Track, report and influence US policy on human rights and development assistance

• Serve as the Embassy lead on the US approach to human rights and on key development priorities, including delivery with and through the multilateral system and the private sector, providing analysis of changes to US posture and priorities.
• Provide periodic strategic reporting reflecting on broader trends in US policy and their implications for the UK.
• Track relevant UK policy and keep key US stakeholders and wider Embassy informed of major policy announcements and speeches.
• Build key relationships with the Administration (NSC and White House Gender Policy Council) and USG teams responsible for developing and implementing policy and programming (State, USAID and Development Finance Corporation).

Contribute to a more strategic, focused development partnership with the US

• Work with the Development Attaché to drive momentum for regular UK-US engagement on development priorities, bringing in all relevant interlocutors.
• Help to embed relationships between the Embassy and other parts of the US Network including UK Delegations to the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, the IMF and UKTI.
• Build networks of contacts across the US government, as well as across wider think-tank and NGO community.
• Plan and manage visits by UK Ministers and senior officials.

Support wider Foreign Security and Development Section (FSDS) and FCDO objectives

• Deputise for the Development Attaché as required, and provide support to other members of the team and Section during busy periods.
• Attend and report on foreign policy seminars at think-tanks and universities in Washington, and relevant Congressional hearings.
• Contribute to wider Embassy reporting, senior visits and public diplomacy activities & provide advice to the Ambassador, Deputy Ambassador and to other teams on human rights and development policy.
• Other duties as assigned, including in support of wider Foreign, Security and Development Section priorities.

• At least 3 years experience in a professional work environment;
• Excellent influencing and communication skills, both written and oral;
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills;
• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously;
• Highly organised, adaptable in managing day-to-day work and able to quickly re-prioritise as necessary;
• Comfortable with high profile and senior interaction, as well as routine administrative work related to a heavy inward visits schedule;
• Knowledge of US foreign policy, particularly as it applies to human rights, development and/or of UK government would be beneficial;
• Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.