View Vacancy - TNT - Economic Advisor (HEO)
The British Embassy Tunis invites applications for the position of Economic Advisor, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) on a fixed term contract for one (1) year (renewable).
We are looking for a highly motivated and knowledgeable individual to provide economic and political economy analysis to colleagues across the whole of the Embassy as well as the wider Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) global network.
We want in-depth economic understanding to be at the heart of our work across the Embassy, especially our political analysis and programmes. As well as sharing their passion and expertise in economics within the Embassy, the jobholder will need to enthusiastically engage with external stakeholders and over time build their network of contacts.
While based in the Political Team, the jobholder will also support the Head of Economic Policy in the Programme Team and work with colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
Duties and responsibilities:
- Provide high quality economic analysis: Analyse the economic situation and proactively share this knowledge so that it becomes an integral part of work across the Embassy. Identify the best ways to deliver regular economic updates within the Embassy and across the wider FCDO network (e.g., conversations, written updates, briefings, etc.). Help colleagues in Tunis and London understand the situation for economic data, issues, and trends, plus what this means for potential impacts on government, society, and the private sector.
- Political and social analysis: Provide a holistic understanding of the interplay between economics and political and societal factors. Understand and share with colleagues how economic developments, both domestic and global, will impact Tunisia. As well as responding to current events, be willing to horizon-scan and plan for future scenarios, drawing on political and economic expertise.
- Communicating economic ideas: Be able to communicate complex ideas and trends in ways that are clear, easy to understand, and accurate. Understand that you need to adapt your communication styles to different audiences. Demonstrate an enthusiasm for discovering new ways to share your insights across the Embassy and wider FCDO network.
- Provide economic expertise to Tunisia Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) programme: Provide economic expertise to inform the design of CSSF projects in Tunisia and help monitor CSSF economic development programmes working with International Financial Institutions.
- Corporate: Promote a positive working environment and play an active role in making the embassy a great place for you and your colleagues.
The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.
- Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
- Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
- Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.
- Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
Key technical skills required:
Macroeconomic knowledge
- Understand the impact of fiscal and monetary policy and be able to assess the macroeconomic situation instability, particularly by interpreting imbalances in budgeting, taxation, and debt.
- Diagnose constraints to inclusive growth (including unemployment rates) and assess the political economy of reform.
- Ability to interpret national income accounts data and relevant global sources to determine growth measurement, trends, drivers, and diagnostics
Microeconomic knowledge
- Understand market failures in goods and labour markets to advice on how to promote a more dynamic private sector and job creation, particularly for the burgeoning youth population.
- Be able to draw on relevant inequality/ welfare/ labour statistics to inform analysis
- Core project appraisal and sector/ market analysis skills. Ability to carry out value-for-money analysis and cost-benefit analysis where needed.
Eligibility:
Applicants must already have the right to work and reside in Tunisia.
- Good understanding of the Tunisian economy and experience of political and social analysis.
- Strong problem-solving skills. Exercises sound judgement and interpretative ability, identifying future trends.
- Able to synthesise and effectively communicate complex information.
- Fluent English language skills and highly proficient in Arabic and French.
- Collaborative approach with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and to take the initiative as well as part of a team to deliver results.
- Strong organisational and time management skills working to deadlines.
- Holds at least a bachelor’s degree in economics or a related subject.
- Build professional networks. The British Embassy Tunis will support the job holder to develop networks of contacts and leverage them to better understand the situation in Tunisia and influence stakeholders, including with analysts, think tanks, and International Financial Institutions (International Monetary Fund, World Bank, African Development Bank, etc.).
The British Embassy in Tunis offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role. Initial salary will be TND 6,228 per month while on probation. Salary after probation is TND 7,728. However, staff who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary (i.e., UKBS spouse/ partner) 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 (1) year (renewable). The successful candidate will be subject to a three-month probationary period that can be further extended up to six months. The appointment is also subject to satisfactory local and UK security clearances.
Conditioned working hours are 40 hours gross per week (inclusive of breaks). Standard working hours are from 08:00-16:30 from Monday to Thursday and 08:00-14:00 on Fridays.
Unless authorised otherwise, we expect staff to be physically present in the Embassy five days per week. A flexible working pattern may be possible depending on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies. The jobholder will also be required to be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening/ weekend).
The jobholder will have opportunities to benefit from a range of Learning and Development (L&D) initiatives. There is great opportunity for learning and development ‘on the job’. We also have an active L&D Committee, which promotes different ways of learning and to which applications can be made for specific, funded learning activity. The jobholder will also be required to undertake a number of mandatory training courses as part of their role.
The International Academy (IA) is the home of L&D 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. Our staff are given responsibility and autonomy (and support), allowing them to develop skills and confidence through delivery.
In this role in particular, the jobholder will apply and deepen their economic technical competences, develop diplomatic skills, enhance leadership, policy, and problem-solving skills, and strengthen programme delivery. The jobholder will be expected to continue with their economics CPD.
Application process:
Interested candidates must include in their online application form:
1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);
2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and
3) specific examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.
Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (Tunis local time) on 16 April 2024.
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Internal candidates (i.e., those who are currently employed by the British Embassy Tunis) applying for this position should consider informing their current line manager upon submission of their application.
Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
The start date mentioned in the advert 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 and reference checks.
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and in the UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidate’s profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.
The British Embassy Tunis is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
