View Vacancy - Deputy Team Leader – Political and Communications Team

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)
Political

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy Santiago is recruiting a deputy team leader for its Political and Communications Team, offering the right candidate the opportunity to contribute to the leadership and delivery of the embassy’s political and communications work. 

The position offers an engaging and rewarding role shaping the strategic direction of the team’s political work and delivering the UK’s objectives for its relationship with Chile and with the Latin America and Caribbean region. The position offers an exciting opportunity to deliver on the UK’s Integrated Review strategic priorities on open societies, democracy and defending human rights. The role will also oversee the team’s research and insight functions monitoring Chilean political and social developments and regional relations. The successful candidate will work closely with the Ambassador, the Team Leader and sections across the embassy to develop further networks across the Chilean government and political landscape; Chilean and regional think-tank and academic communities; and civil society, engaging contacts to gather information and lobby on behalf of the UK. The jobholder will also work closely with colleagues across the embassy and the British Government's Multilateral and Global Issues Network in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Flexibility and ability to work under pressure are key to dealing with tasking (including on new and unfamiliar issues) that may arise unexpectedly, at short notice and against tight deadlines. 


Roles and responsibilities:

The job holder will:

  • Set the strategic direction: Setting areas of priority work to deliver on the embassy’s country business plan, working with sections across the embassy to deliver on HMG’s Integrated Review priorities, identifying opportunities maximising co-operation between the UK and Chile; deputising as Section Head as required.
  • Open Societies: Advancing the embassy’s Open Societies work to deliver on Integrated Review priorities, including on human rights (LGBTI+, Freedom of Religion or Belief).
  • Networks: Regional and foreign policy stakeholder engagement and mapping;
  • Research and Insight: Tracking and providing high quality analysis of domestic political issues and their implications for UK interests;
  • Bilateral Engagement: Arranging and helping others to arrange visits for UK Ministers, senior officials and Parliamentarians;
  • Wider Team Priorities: Support the team with other political and communications work.  
  • Corporate: Support wider Embassy and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office corporate objectives, e.g. crisis management preparedness, covering for absent team members, Embassy outreach and public diplomacy activities.


Resources managed:

  • 2 x CBS Political Officers
  • Programme Funding (TBC)

Essential on arrival:  

  • Interest and understanding of Chilean domestic, Latin American and international political affairs;
  • A flexible attitude and ability to switch easily between policy dossiers;
  • Proven ability to prioritise, handle multiple tasks and respond quickly to changing circumstances;
  • Ability to work under pressure;
  • Confidence to proactively build and engage a useful network of contacts.
  • Strong analytical, oral and written skills.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to deal with multiple tasks and priorities.
  • Problem-solving and attention to detail.
  • Proven research and reporting skills.
  • A willingness to work flexibly and as a team player.
  • Ability to interact with people at all levels of seniority.
  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in a related field;
  • Experience of working in an international context and/or relevant experience in a political role.

Language requirements: 

Language:  English and Spanish

Level of language required:  Ideally business level in both written and spoken English.  

Must have the legal status to live and work in Chile. 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, 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.

Desirable:  

  • The ideal candidate would already have some experience and/or knowledge related to Chilean political dynamics and hold an understanding of legislative, legal, and government workings.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
9 October 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
36
Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean
Chile
Santiago
British Embassy
1
CLP
CLP 2,570,501 (excl. CLP 74,000 for meal allowance)
14 November 2022

Learning and development opportunities:

The Embassy offers a wide-range of learning and development opportunities, both in the Post, in the region, and in London. The FCDO also has extensive e-learning opportunities. All staff are encouraged and are provided time to focus on their personal development.

Other:

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Working patterns:

If the job is suitable for flexible working patterns, please provide details:  

This is a full-time fixed-term contract. The working hours are 36 net per week. The embassy is committed to flexible working and staff can work flexibly to fulfil that commitment. The Embassy working hours are 0900-1730 Mon-Thurs and 0900-1300 on Friday. 

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.