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 Beirut has a vacancy for a Political Officer, job grade Executive Officer (EO) for a fixed term contract of 12 months.

This is a fantastic opportunity to support the work of the British Embassy in Beirut on regional and global issues, such as climate change and energy transition. You will be a vital part of a highly motivated British/Lebanese team, and your advice will inform the work of the Ambassador and Embassy. You will spend a lot of time out of the office, growing your network, meeting people (sometimes very senior figures) and gathering information. You will be an enthusiastic self-starter, capable of managing your own workload and willing to get involved in a broad range of Embassy activity.

The ideal candidate will have an excellent knowledge of geopolitics, Lebanese social history, and law as well as a broad range of contacts. They will have the ability to provide balanced and nuanced analysis on a range of regional issues, which impact Lebanon as well as socio-political matters.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • To advise the Political and Economic (Pol/Econ) Team on regional and global developments, as well as developments in Lebanon that are relevant to the team’s stability objectives and priorities.
  • To undertake research, analysing and interpreting information, as required for the Pol/Econ Team. To give advice and make recommendations using appropriate written and oral reporting. To exercise initiative and keep the Embassy closely informed about of key political and global issues being discussed across Lebanon.
  • To arrange and attend political meetings as well as meetings with key partners in Civil Society, non-governmental organisations and other embassies, alone and with senior staff, to seek information and communicate elements of UK policy.
  • To take minutes as/when required, and to produce meeting reports to inform the Pol/Econ Team in a timely and appropriate manner. To adapt style and content to suit the specific audience.
  • To take action on matters arising from Pol/Econ Team meetings, ensuring that key actions are progressed and that information is disseminated to all team members. This work could include strategy, analysis and consulting on policy.
  • To take decisions to ensure that the team members and embassy visitors are briefed for meetings, including, where necessary, meetings with external contacts and bodies.
  • To undertake administrative work as is required to support the Pol/Econ Team’s officers in undertaking their roles, including the preparation of visit programs, meeting agendas, and related tasks.
  • To cover for other members in the team when on leave, this may include high level economic reporting and covering the internal political file.

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:

  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • 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.
  • Fluent communication skills in English & Arabic, both spoken and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely including report writing.
  • Holds a university degree in International Relations, Politics or related field.
  • Knowledge of regional politics and Lebanese social history.
  • Team player, good interpersonal skills and ability to build strong relationships, internally and externally.
  • Strong organisational skills and time management to meet deadlines.

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

  • Integrity
  • Honesty
  • Objectivity
  • Impartiality
  • At least two (2) or more years’ work experience in the relevant field.
  • Knowledge of current climate change and / or human rights issues.
  • Experience working with state institutions, national and international organisations/NGOs.
  • To be able to work with limited supervision and carry out the day-to-day management of their work.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
12 February 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
Middle East & North Africa
Lebanon
Beirut
British Embassy
1
USD
2,963
3 April 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 $2,963 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. Flexible hours can be considered e.g. remote working, compressed hours, and agreed prior to appointment but time in the Embassy is also important.

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.

The jobholder will be expected be given specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided for the successful candidate. In addition to formal training requirements, the British Embassy Beirut attach great importance to personal development of all staff. This job offers many opportunities to develop a wide range of professional skills and gain experience of a broad range of programme activity.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 2) a covering letter/ motivation essay 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 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 12 February 2023.

Applications submitted after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process:

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

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.