View Vacancy - Social Development Adviser

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Syria Office

The UK Office for Syria (UKOS) at the British Embassy in Beirut has a vacancy for a Social Development Adviser, job grade Senior Executive Officer (SEO), on a fixed term contract of 12 months, with a possibility of renewal.

The Social Development Adviser (SDA) will be responsible for supplying quality social development advice to support and guide Syria humanitarian and stability work at all levels, including across Whitehall.  

This is a fantastic opportunity to work across a complex, fast-moving and challenging portfolio providing technical support for a number of high profile issues across the portfolio: gender equality, VAWG, women’s economic and political empowerment, safeguarding and inclusive humanitarian action.   In addition, the SDA is the lead advisor to UKOS’s flagship Gender Based Violence programme and co-lead adviser to our Building Local Resilience programme (VAWG pilots). In addition to these established workstreams there is significant opportunity to horizon scan, identify trends, gather evidence and innovate across humanitarian and stability agendas.

The SDA will report to the UKOS First Secretary Development/ Humanitarian & Deputy Team Leader – Policy but will provide support across all teams to ensure clear linkages on gender and social inclusion  across wider UK strategy and programming.

Although this role is primarily a technical advisory role, the job holder will lead on gender and inclusion communications and analysis, including that produced by partners. They will also support the political team in influencing and informing a wide range of international and national stakeholders.  In addition they will be expected to play an active corporate role in the wider UKOS and Embassy in Beirut.

The work is fascinating with real opportunities to make a difference and be involved in fast-moving events.  The post will be supported with mentoring and some guidance from the MENA Regional SDA.

Roles and responsibilities:

This role is expected to be responsible for the key responsibilities below, but the jobholder will need to be flexible to respond to emerging priorities, and take on new areas as needed, given the evolving nature of the work and to respond to ministerial requirements.

Policy, analysis and expert advice:

  • Lead the team’s gender and social inclusion analysis, briefings and communications. Commission outputs from partners, coordinate donor and partner communications where required. Respond to requests for briefings, often in short time, active engagement in strategic and business planning processes.
  • Lead the team’s policy engagement on gender based violence based on latest evidence and analysis. Convene key donors to ensure the UN leadership implements agreed actions to tackle GBV more effectively
  • Lead the team’s engagement and reporting on Women Peace and Security (WPS) objectives. Engage with relevant civil society groups – including Women’s Rights Organisations - and in relevant international events and provide strategic leadership for WPS policy and programming (Syria is a focal country)
  • Technical lead for FCDO’s Shared Approach to Gender in Syria, driving its implementation and monitoring on a 6-monthly basis
  • Develop and maintain linkages with civil society inside Syria, researchers and academics to ensure that emerging evidence and learning informs our programming, policy and influencing.
  • Develop and maintain close linkages with policy colleagues across FCDO to ensure that HMG uses all levers available to it to bring about change on priority social development issues.
  • Lead on Equality Impact Assessments for UKOS Business Planning and Public Sector Equality Duty annual assessments across the programme portfolio.

Programmes:

  • Technical lead for Syria’s Gender Based Violence, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Programme. Oversee technical quality and delivery of UNFPA-led component.
  • Technical lead for the Building Local Resilience programme, VAWG pilots component. Oversee technical quality and delivery of the pilots; ensure effective coordination with What Works and evaluation partners. Lead delivery of learning agenda within FCDO and externally.
  • Provide social development advice in a proactive and timely way to the programme teams. Drive implementation of social inclusion and Syria Gender Minimum Standards across Syria Independent Monitoring, Humanitarian and CSSF / stability work.
  • Technical advice and leadership to CSSF programming on women’s empowerment and political participation.
  • Provide leadership on safeguarding across the portfolio and drive improvements on accountability to affected populations.

Resources managed:

  • To support the delivery of the Syria CSSF and Humanitarian Portfolio of approximately £50M per year.

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 behaviours required:

  • 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.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Key technical skills required:

  • Social and Political Analysis for practical application
  • Poverty and Vulnerability Monitoring and Analysis
  • Gender Equality and the Rights and Empowerment of Women and Girls
  • Empowerment and Accountability
  • Social Protection

More information is available in the Social Development Technical Competency Framework

The successful candidate will have a demonstrable track record of delivering Social Development outcomes. 

We are looking for someone with:

  • Social Development Technical Competencies (see key technical skills required);
  • A proactive and collaborative approach;
  • Strong proven advisory skills with strong understanding of identifying and acting on opportunities to influence and shape policies, strategies and programmes;
  • Experience of commissioning, using and/or quality assuring research and/or evaluations;
  • Skills to drive learning and capability building, within FCDO and external partners, to strengthen VAWG and gender-responsive policy and programming.

Essential:

  • A Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferable) or equivalent level of academic and professional experience in a subject area clearly related to social policy and development (including social anthropology, sociology, political science, human geography, social/development policy and planning);
  • Knowledge and experience of social research and of direct working in or on developing countries and/or in/on fragile and conflict affected environments.
  • Strong analytical skills, ideally with experience of delivering, leading and coordinating analysis and actionable recommendations;
  • Proven cultural, social and political sensitivity for working on Syria;
  • Fluent communication skills in English & Arabic, both spoken and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.

In addition, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

  • Integrity
  • Honesty
  • Objectivity
  • Impartiality
  • Regional experience;
  • Experience of working with His Majesty’s Government (HMG) or another international organisation e.g. the UN;
  • Monitoring and Evaluation experience.
Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
4 June 2023
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
Middle East & North Africa
Lebanon
Beirut
British Embassy
1
USD
6,327
21 August 2023

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:

  • Receive the appropriate level of security clearance;
  • Have (or be willing to obtain) the right to live and work in Lebanon. Candidate's residence permit and work permit, and the expense to obtain them, will be their own responsibility.

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including a non-negotiable salary of $6,327 per month. The salary will be paid gross and you are expected to comply with your tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the local authorities.  However, for third country nationals and UKB staff spouses/ partners employed by the Embassy, as you are not liable to pay Lebanese income tax, your salary will be abated by an amount equivalent to the Lebanese tax that would otherwise be payable (if appropriate).

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is for a full-time employment, on a fixed-term contract basis for twelve (12) months with a possibility of extension. The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period. The appointment is also subject to satisfactory local and UK security clearances.

Conditioned working hours are 40 hours gross per week. Normal working hours are Monday to Thursday 08:00-16:00 and Friday 08:00-14:00. The jobholder must be based in Beirut, with some flexibility to travel. Some working from home is possible but the jobholder is also expected to have a presence in the office (at least 60%).

The Embassy is committed to ensuring that you are able to maintain a suitable work-life balance. Annual leave entitlement is 20 days plus 14 public holidays (on a pro rata basis).

We offer a competitive package in line with local labour law, including transport, family, educational allowances, and good level of medical insurance coverage, performance-related bonus, and opportunities for job related training and development, etc.

We place a strong emphasis on learning and development (L&D) and UKOS has a supportive and active approach.  You will be encouraged to undertake professional development opportunities and get involved in the corporate activities of UKOS and the wider Embassy in Beirut. 

You will be able to join the Social Development Cadre as an accredited adviser or affiliate. Through the cadre, you will have access to learning and development (L&D) and continual professional development opportunities, including the annual Social Development Professional Development Conference. You will have a Technical Quality Assuror and have opportunities to support the wider organisation through the ‘10% support offer’ which provides opportunities for learning.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to build technical advisory expertise, with opportunities to work across the UK Government. 

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 2) motivation essay, in the relevant sections of the online application form, stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and 3) examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours, technical competencies and skills required.

Applications that do not include this information or provided in the stated format will not be considered.

Applications must be submitted before 23:55 Beirut local time on 04 June 2023.

Applications submitted after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two-three months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and with UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidates 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.

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 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 British Embassy Beirut is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Lebanon employment law.

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.