View Vacancy - Policy and Engagement Officer - Lahore Office
Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please note that due to Covid-19 outbreak, the start date of employment mentioned in the advert is tentative, subject to normal business of British High Commission. All recruitment campaigns will remain open for applications, we will progress the recruitment process as swiftly as possible and continue to review all applications, monitor progress and developments. We will be in touch with you for the interviews/ should there be further updates on the application, however given the circumstances, kindly expect some delay in response and please reach out to SAAD.Recruit@fco.gov.uk if you have any further questions.
Main purpose of job:
Based in Lahore, the successful candidate will provide analysis and understanding of politics in Punjab, and develop and manage a network of contacts for the Lahore Office and teams based in the British High Commission (BHC) in Islamabad. You will coordinate events and visits on behalf of the BHC and UK-based visitors, including the British High Commissioner and government ministers.
You will be managed by the Head of the Lahore Office. You will work with and provide a service to a wide range of policy and programme teams based in Islamabad working on internal and external politics, development, rule of law, democracy, counter-terrorism and human rights. You will also lead on crisis management for the Lahore Office, and be the Lahore focal point for crisis management in the Pakistan Network.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
Manage network of contacts:
- Develop and maintain a diverse network of contacts in Punjab and use this network to inform understanding, identify opportunities and support UK priorities across Punjab.
- Inform effective BHC engagement in Punjab through advice on relationships and influencers within the Punjab government, and in wider society, including to support development programming.
- Manage and update the Punjab element of the BHC's contact lists.
Reporting:
- Use network of contacts to inform reporting on, and monitoring of, political developments in Punjab and provide informed analysis regularly for a broad range of UK stakeholders. You will feed into a variety regular communication products from the Lahore Office
- Support the Political Section in Islamabad by providing informed, strategically-aware advice.
- Undertake proactive and reactive open source research on topics of interest to BHC, verify this research with expert contacts and use it to increase depth and breadth of understanding, often to tight deadlines.
Visit and events organisation:
- Set up external meetings and coordinate programme and logistical arrangements for visits to Punjab for BHC staff, including senior leadership, and high-profile visitors from the UK, working with the Visits Team in the BHC.
- Accompany and support senior staff on visits within Punjab and produce records as required. This will include organising and participating in field visits
- Coordinate events (receptions, dinners etc.), including draft guest lists, send out invitations and collate RSVPs.
- Provide back-fill support on office management (including vehicle and cash management) during periods of absence for the development programme officers.
Crisis management:
- Lead on the maintenance of the crisis skills audit for the Lahore Office, working with the British Council in Lahore to ensure that this kept up to date.
- Participate in regular crisis preparation and management meetings with the BHC in Islamabad.
- Maintain close working relationships on crisis management with the British Council.
What we want from you:
- A proactive, dynamic and adaptable individual with a can-do attitude
- Confidence and commitment to deliver with minimal supervision
- Ability to work well in a networked team, across Pakistan
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (including excellent written English)
- Ability to think creatively to solve problems, often under pressure
- Willingness to work to frequent and tight deadlines while maintaining a high standard of work
- Strong IT skills
Language requirements:
Language: English, Urdu
Level of language required: Fluent
Other skills / experience / qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree
At least two years relevant experience in interacting with political parties, government bureaucracy and civil society organisations
Salary Details:
For BHC candidates, the Local BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be PKR 246,648 .
The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.
Around half of our work forces are women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.
Colleagues working in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore work towards shared objectives which include supporting Pakistan to enhance stability, build resilience and capability, and promote inclusive growth through our strong UK-Pakistan relationships, expertise and creativity.
The Lahore Office currently has 8 staff members who work across BHC to deliver on our objectives in Punjab.
Working patterns:
A proportion of flexible working may available by arrangement, and subject to business needs
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
- A regular programme of formal learning and development opportunities are available within the BHC, on skills and foreign policy and development expertise
- There are also occasional opportunities for travel to the UK for learning and development courses and familiarisation with government structures
"Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’
To Apply:
Please note applications without (a), (b) will not be considered.
A. Complete the Online Application Form
B. Complete the Motivation Segment and competency based questions in the Online Application Form.
Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable). They should also inform their current line managers, and check for the eligibility clause if on probation, else the applications will not be considered.
We will accept only online applications by “6 August 2020” midnight
Please Note:
- Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
- The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.
‘’Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission.‘’
We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
