View Vacancy - Prosperity and Economics Officer

The British Consulate-General in Chicago is seeking a highly motivated Vice Consul for prosperity and the economy, to lead on trade policy, energy, climate change and the political economy for the UK Consulate-General in Chicago and across the Midwest USA. The jobholder will also manage the Marshall Scholarship programme in the Midwest.

The British Consulate-General diplomatically represents the UK in 14 states throughout the Midwest. The Consulate-General is responsible for: developing trade and investment relations between the Midwest and the UK; political reporting on the Midwest; engaging on economic policy objectives of interest to the UK; public diplomacy efforts; and Consular services for British nationals. 

The jobholder reports to the Deputy Consul General.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead on trade policy initiatives across the Midwest, including activities and outreach to promote the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and USA.
• Lead on energy and climate change initiatives across the Midwest; support US emission reduction policies and targets using UK expertise; build a network of advocates to help build long term support for climate action across State Governments, the business community and civil society.
• Lead on all aspects of the economy and the political economy. Produce high quality and timely economic analysis and reports for key stakeholders in the British Embassy in Washington, UK Government Ministries in London and for the benefit of UK companies. Identify and develop relationships with policy experts who can enrich the UK’s understanding of US economic developments.
  • Manage the Midwestern Marshall Scholarship selection process and develop the network of Marshall Alumni in the region. Identify and develop relationships between Higher Education institutions in the Midwest and the UK; support existing strategic partnerships between educational institutions.
  • Support wider UK prosperity goals through collaboration with UKTI and Science and Innovation team
  • Lead officer for the Consulate-General on arts, culture and sport programmes;
    • Identify and lead on visit programmes for senior officials that can promote economic policy objectives, preparing logistics and aiding with written briefings.

Minimum Qualifications/Experience:

• Bachelors’ degree minimum;
• Demonstrated interest in economic matters across the Midwest region;
• Strong networking skills and ability to capably discuss economics, trade and energy with external clients;
• Strong oral/written communication skills;
• Strong research skills;
• Attention to detail and ability to draft, edit and proofread;
• Ability to follow through on assigned tasks with limited supervision;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Positive and flexible attitude, including willingness to travel in the Midwest and occasionally to London.

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy Network may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A or NATO visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance. 

*A visas or NATO visas with EAD cards are acceptable at the Embassy, Consulates, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts.  The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas.