View Vacancy - Political Advisor (Regional & Security)

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 in Israel is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Political Advisor (Regional & Security).

The successful candidate will contribute to Embassy political analysis and reporting on regional and security issues, providing political advice on the wide range of political topics covered by Political Section, and where required leading team logistics and visits.

The successful candidate will join Political Section and work alongside three other Political Advisors to provide insight and support on the breadth of issues covered by the team. The role will be anchored around cross-Embassy regional and security work, but the jobholder will be expected to contribute analysis and support to the wider team on other topics and issues. The jobholder will work collaboratively across the team and be able to proactively advise on topics that align with the team’s strategic priorities with minimal supervision.

Duties and responsibilities:

1) Support to cross-Embassy regional and security workstream

This role will provide analytical and logistical support to the Embassy’s regional and security workstream. These are cross cutting issues, including Israeli foreign policy, regional and domestic threats, and domestic military and security policy. The job holder will be expected to work with teams across the Embassy including Defence Section and the Department for Business and Trade as well as Political Section.

The jobholder will:

  • Develop and engage a wide range of stakeholders specialising on regional and secuirty issues including political actors and advisors, government officials and bodies, journalists, think tanks, academics and NGOs. These contacts should be used to broaden Embassy insights, with relevant information gathered contributing to reporting and policy considerations.
  • Work with Political Section’s First and Second Secretaries to identify discrete issues and topics to research and report on. The job holder must take the initiative and exercise judgement in what will be of interest to a wider Embassy audience as well as senior readers in London and decide how best to acquire and analyse infomation to inform those reports.
  • Propose and arrange meetings with relevant contacts for the UK based leads and the Ambassador on regional and security issues.

2) Political team advice

The job holder will work alongside three other political advisors covering the breadth of political issues incluidng domestic politics, the Middle East Peace Process, and programme management. Where required, the job holder must be able to provide advice and support to wider team reporting and efforts on these issues.

The jobholder will:

  • Maintain broad understanding of the range of issues at play within Israeli politics and Israeli foreign policy, and use this knowledge for reporting and support to the wider team where required.
  • Produce regular reporting, analysis and strategic advice on Israeli foreign and security policy. Reporting both verbally and through concise written analytical updates.
  • Work with the visits lead to provide support on inward and outward visits between Israel and the UK. This may involve high profile government figures as well as industry experts and regular bilateral initiatives.
  • Support on policy portfolios including Counter-Terrorism

 3) Wider Embassy contribution

The jobholder will be expected to contribute to wider Embassy initiatives and needs. This includes:

  • Being on the rota for compiling daily press reviews.
  • Joining at least one of the Embassy’s crisis response teams and participating actively in crisis exercises and responses.
  • Actively participate in the corporate life of the Embassy by joining or running a committee, which contributes, to the quality of the Embassy as a workplace.

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:

  • 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.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English and Hebrew.
  • Strong understanding of, and connections with, Israeli foreign and security policy fields.
  • At least two years of experience working on political affairs or other related fields.
  • Capable of Hebrew/English interpretation and vice-versa.
  • Team focus, motivation, and enthusiasm to work collaboratively across the team and Embassy.
  • Proven organisational and administrative skills.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and flexibly in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent IT skills.
  • Self-motivated individual able to take initiative with strong interpersonal skills.
  • Bachelors Degree in politics or relevant field.
  • Direct experience working in diplomatic or security sectors.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
4 June 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Middle East & North Africa
Israel
Tel Aviv
British Embassy
1
ILS
13,000
7 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; and
  • Are able to work legally in Israel.

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 ILS 13,000 per month plus transport allowance and social benefits: Pension employer contribution 7.5% and Keren Hishtalmut employer contribution 7.5%.

No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Parking facilities are not provided nor paid for by the Embassy.

This position is for a full-time employment, on a permanent contract, subject to a 4-month probationary period.

Working hours is 37.5 per week. Normal working hours are Monday to Thursday 8:00-16:00 and Friday 8:00-13:30.

This is a hybrid position. Any flexible working patterns may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

The Embassy is committed to providing a wide range of learning and development (L&D) opportunities.

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 and skills required. 

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered. 

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 04 June 2023. 

Applications received 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 job 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.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local labour law.

 

The British Embassy Tel Aviv is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.