View Vacancy - Domestic Politics Intern
Main purpose of job:
The jobholder will provide analytical and administrative support for the Domestic Politics team directly. The jobholder will also help with logistics, activities, virtual and in-person events, as well as travel assignments to ensure high-quality outcomes toward overall HMG’s objectives in Mexico.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
The British Embassy in Mexico City is looking for a Political Intern to support the work on primarily domestic politics but also the UK’s work on a range of issues, which includes human rights, security, foreign policy, Rule of Law, and others (gender, cyber, migration policy, etc.)
This is a varied and challenging position, which covers a wide range of political and project related tasks as well as administrative duties. While primarily working with domestic politics, the job will involve contact with most sections of the Embassy and a range of external contacts in Mexico and the UK. We often work under time pressure in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will need to work flexibly across areas to provide support.
Some activities include, but are not limited to: 1) researching and drafting reports about the Mexican political landscape, party politics, security issues, and human rights. 2) Helping the Domestic Politics team operate as efficiently as possible by ensuring effective communication with Mexican government representatives, businesses, and other non-governmental institutions, as well as with all areas of the Embassy and stakeholders in the UK to facilitate and deliver programmes and activities. 3) Drafting correspondence briefings for the Domestic Politics team in Spanish and English as required. 4) Providing administrative support for the Domestic Politics team’s daily tasks and events.
All employees of the Embassy network are expected to contribute to the corporate activity of the organisation.
Essential on arrival:
- Currently studying or recently completed a university-degree-level course in or related to Political Science.
- Have knowledge and interest in key Mexican politics issues, human rights and Mexican diplomacy.
- Have solid drafting and communication skills.
- Must be able to provide information in an understandable format to stakeholders.
- Should be proactive and creative self-starter with the ability to learn quickly.
- Organisation and time management skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
- Good teamwork abilities – being able to liaise with people over requirements and ask for help when needed but also able to work independently.
- Fluent in English and Spanish (spoken and written). No certification required but this will be assessed at the interview stage.
- An understanding of video conference technology or ability to learn.
Desirable:
- Strong interest in UK-Mexico relations.
- Interest or experience working in Mexican politics.
- Experience working in an international office environment.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
- On-the job training and access to courses and learning sets organised by the wider British Embassy teams.
- Turning classroom learning into real world experience.
- Wide networking opportunities.
- One-on-one support.
- Career development and advancement.
- Flexible working and work-life culture.
Candidates must be able to live and work in Mexico in their own right. The successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance and professional reference checks.
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.
Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):
- Candidates must be able to live and work in Mexico within their own right.
- The successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance and professional reference check.
- Please note that to be eligible for a Chevening Fellowship you must not be an employee, a former employee, or relative* of an employee (as of June 2016) of Her Majesty’s Government (including British Embassies / High Commissions). You will not be able to apply for a Chevening Scholarship for two years after ending your contract with the Embassy.
- This is a paid internship.
- The successful candidate must be able to work at least two days (out of five) at the Embassy’s premises in Mexico City.
- Immediate relatives are defined as parents or step-parents, siblings, children or step-children, spouse, civil partner or unmarried (where the couple have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years).
This opportunity is closed to applications.