View Vacancy - Political Officer

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

The British Embassy in Tunis invites applications for the position of Political Officer, Grade B3 (L).

Main purpose of the job:

This is a critical position within the Embassy, working towards UK objectives to support Tunisia and to build a strong bilateral relationship.

We are looking for a dynamic self-starter who has an excellent understanding of Tunisia’s system of government, domestic and foreign policy, internal political scene and recent history. You will be the Embassy’s resident expert and advisor within the political team on how best to engage and develop cooperation with Tunisia. You will have regular contact with the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission as well as colleagues in the UK. You will also be responsible for developing and maintaining a large range of stakeholder contacts across the Tunisian political scene, and with civil society.

The role requires the energy and confidence to make new contacts, the creativity to propose new approaches and the analytical skills to understand, challenge and explain the fast-paced political changes in Tunisia.

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • Provide high quality reporting on political developments in Tunisia and their implications for UK interests, independently and in coordination with Embassy colleagues.
  • Keep abreast of and providing analysis on elections, the political economy, human rights and civil society.
  • Build a network of contacts across the Tunisian government, think tanks, academics, civil society and media.
  • Strengthen the Embassy’s understanding of the key challenges facing Tunisia.
  • Lobbying on key priorities for the UK when necessary.
  • Arranging and supporting visits and meetings for the Ambassador, UK ministers, senior officials and Parliamentarians, in Tunis and beyond.
  • Advising on project activity related to open societies and human rights.
  • Manage the Chevening scholarship programme.
  • Support the wider Embassy team as required, including as deputy political manager for the Embassy’s crisis response team.
  • Resources managed: task management of an assistant political officer and other staff on an ad hoc basis. Budget oversight for political work and Chevening programme.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key competencies required:

  • Seeing the Big Picture - is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs. For all staff, it is about focusing your contribution on the activities, which will meet Civil Service goals and deliver the greatest value.
  • Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done. 
  • Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. It’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. 
  • Engaging Internationally - Effectiveness in this area is about leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives. Understanding UK Government aims in the wider UK and international context and developing productive relationships with those external contacts and partners to help deliver UK objectives.
  • Fluency in English, French and Arabic. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication and confidence in interpretation and translation.
  • M.A in International Relations, Politics, or other relevant subject area.
  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of Tunisia’s political scene and interest in current affairs.
  • Strong independent research, analysis and reporting skills.
  • Problem-solving and efficient administrative skills.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
  • Experience of working in a governmental or international environment.
  • Proven ability to prioritise, handle multiple tasks and respond quickly to changing circumstances.
  • Working IT skills and literacy in Microsoft office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
  • Experience of the UK.
5 February 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
12 months
Middle East & North Africa
Tunisia
Tunis
British Embassy
1
TND
3,910 per month while on probation and salary after probation is TND 4,840
1 March 2022

The British Embassy in Tunis offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role. Initial salary will be TND 3,910 per month while on probation. Salary after probation is TND 4,840. However, employees (non-locals and UKB spouses/partners) who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.   

This position is for a full-time employment, on a fixed term basis for one-year (renewable).

Conditioned working hours are 40 hours gross per week. Standard working hours are from 08:00-16:30 from Monday to Thursday and 08:00-13:00 on Fridays. As a result of the pandemic the British Embassy operates on a hybrid in-person and remote working model. Unless authorised (and unless pandemic rules determine otherwise), we expect staff to be physically present in the Embassy several days per week.

In line with the Tunisian Government requirement for a ‘passe sanitaire’ to enter most public places, the embassy requires proof of Covid-19 vaccination, or an authorised exemption.

The jobholder will have many opportunities to benefit from a range of Embassy Learning and Development (L&D) initiatives. We have an active L&D Committee, which promotes different ways of learning, as well as offering Diplomatic Academy sessions and bringing in formal courses.

The FCDO International Academy  is the home of Learning and Development for the FCDO. It covers a wide range of essential as well as job specific subjects, and is designed to ensure that all staff can access high quality learning products.

There is also great opportunity to learning and development ‘on the job’. Our staff are given responsibility and autonomy (and support), allowing them to develop skills and confidence through delivery. The Embassy also has an active Learning and Development Committee, to which applications can be made for specific, funded learning activity.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 3 months probationary period that can be extended up to 6 months. The appointment will also be subject to satisfactory local and UK security clearances.

Eligibility:

Applicants must have the right to work and reside in Tunisia immediately.

Application process:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents along with their online application form:

  1. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  2. A Covering Letter

** (Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in the cover letter or motivation section in the application form. Applications that do not include this information will be rejected).

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 05 February 2022.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Due to the large amount of job applications the Embassy receives, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

The start date mentioned is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

 

The British Embassy Tunis is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.