View Vacancy - Head of 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 in Quito represents the interests of the UK in Ecuador.

This job brings together the political and communications work within the Embassy. The role will provide high quality political analysis and oversee effective communications to support delivery of the Country Business Plan, reporting into the Ambassador

The jobholder will lead on the Embassy’s political engagement work in both bilateral and multilateral fora, including Ecuador’s membership of the UN Security Council (2023-24). They will also build and maintain a strong network of contacts, and manage the Embassy’s Chevening scholarship programme.

In addition to managing and motivating the political and communications team, this is a key leadership role within the Embassy, setting the tone for others and promoting effective cross-team working.

The jobholder will be required to act with a significant degree of autonomy, producing high-quality written work ready for publication or submission to London. They will also be required to demonstrate active problem solving skills – evaluating options, producing creative solutions, and applying discretion to know if/when to escalate decisions to the Ambassador/Deputy Head of Mission.

Roles and Responsibilities:

POLITICAL – Bilateral (50%)

  • Produce timely political reporting in English, identifying risks and opportunities for UK interests
  • Lead on high-level inward visits of officials and ministers
  • Coordinate briefing material ready for submission to London
  • Develop a wide range of political, media, diplomatic, academic and civil society contacts to broaden the Embassy’s networks
  • Lobby Ecuadorean Government authorities regarding UK priorities
  • Represent the Embassy at public events and other meetings when required, including occasional public speaking

POLITICAL - Multilateral (30%)

  • To provide effective support to Ecuador during its term on the UN Security Council (2023-24)
  • Lead on lobbying work regarding positions in multilateral fora, in particular the UN Security Council

COOPERATION/PROJECTS (10%)

  • Oversee the Chevening scholarship process, managing the selection of scholars (including through sift and interview process). Develop innovative strategies to promote the scheme widely to ensure high quality applicants. Lead on alumni engagement to ensure the Embassy maintains ties with former scholars.
  • Manage any relevant project funds which the Embassy may be awarded to support the Country Business Plan objectives.
  • Manage training projects and other support or capacity building provided by the UK to Ecuadorean authorities.
  • Ensure that procurement and spending are in line with guidance, and that relevant processes are fully adhered to.

LINE MANAGEMENT AND TEAM LEADERSHIP (10%)

  • Leadership of the Political and Communications team, providing strategic direction for the team and ensuring coherence and cohesion across the team’s portfolio.
  • Line management of the Communications Manager, UNSC Coordinator, and Projects and Events Officer.
  • Role model inclusive behaviours and promote the Embassy values (Respect, Resilience, Collaboration and Creativity); promote cross-team working; play an active role in wider Embassy (through Heads of Section and other committees including Post Management Committee).
  • Management of a budget of around $1500 for events with key contacts, ensuring good value for money.

All staff have a role in supporting the Embassy’s crisis-preparedness work. In the event of a crisis, the jobholder is designated as lead Political Manager within Embassy crisis structures.

Any other ad-hoc duties as required by the Embassy.

Resources Managed:

Team travel budget (approx $1500 USD)

Line management of:

  • Comms manager
  • UNSC Coordinator
  • Projects and Events officer

The team also has an intern who is managed by the comms manager.

The successful applicant may also manage small bilateral projects, as well as overseeing the Embassy’s Chevening programme.

  • University degree in a relevant subject
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills – ability to convey information concisely and accurately
  • Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively in and across diverse teams
  • Ability to deliver results without close supervision while ensuring careful attention to detail
  • Knowledge of Ecuadorean politics
  • Fluent in both English and Spanish 
  • Must have the legal status to live and work in Ecuador.
  • An existing political network within Ecuador, and preferably Quito
  • Understanding of the UN system, and in particular the Security Council
  • Knowledge of the UK political system and government priorities
  • Experience working in communications and/or project management
  • Experience of managing a team
  • Comfortable with public speaking in English and Spanish

Equality and Diversity

An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.

Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
28 May 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean
Ecuador
Quito
British Embassy
1
USD
$2500 monthly
10 July 2023

Learning and Development Opportunities:

  • Undertake all mandatory training as required.
  • Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with the country lead through the appraisals process and/or attending internal / external training events.
  • The successful candidate will be able to access a wide range of L&D opportunities offered by the British Embassy Quito and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
  • Some travel within Ecuador may be required, and there may be opportunities to travel occasionally to regional conferences or similar.

Working Patterns:

Core Hours:

08.00 – 16.30 Monday to Thursday (1 hour lunch break)

08.00 – 13.00 Friday

The jobholder will be required to work extra hours occasionally (eg for evening events or travel). Time Off In Lieu will be provided in these cases.

The Embassy currently allows staff members to work a maximum of two days per week from home, as long as operational needs are met. This policy will be kept under review and may change.

Holiday Entitlement: 16 days (to be taken at any point, does not include weekends)

Employment is subject to a 3-month trial period. Access to medical scheme and other benefits is subject to completion of probation.

The British Embassy Quito is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from applicants of all backgrounds.

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.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a 'reserve list'. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

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.