View Vacancy - Political Officer (B3L) - Maldives

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

Main purpose of job:

Provide high quality political reporting and analysis of developments in Maldives. Contributing to policy development and helping deliver a range of HMG objectives.  Supporting the bilateral relationship with the new Maldivian government and our multilateral cooperation.

Roles and responsibilities:

We are looking for a dynamic and confident individual with strong political awareness to report on developments in, and help develop UK policy towards, the Maldives.

The ideal candidate will have an excellent understanding of Maldivian politics and a well-established network of contacts.  With the ability to write accurately at speed and provide balanced analysis and advice, the Maldives Political Officer will write regular reports to London (including for Ministers) to help inform UK policy. 

Challenges will include building the bilateral relationship with the new Maldivian Government, and promoting international cooperation.  We need someone who can work with a range of stakeholders, including the Government of Maldives, to deliver UK objectives on issues such as strengthening democracy and human rights and wider UK support to Maldives.

Excellent team working skills will be vital, with the ability to build co-operative working relationships across the High Commission, the team in London, and like-minded missions in Colombo and Malé.

The specific responsibilities of the jobholder will be to:

1.     Provide political reporting and analysis on developments in Maldives by:

  • Building and maintaining relationships with a broad range of contacts.
  • Monitoring the political and economic situation in Maldives, including through mainstream and social media.
  • Travelling regularly to Maldives (at least one week in eight).
  • Writing regular balanced reports to inform policy development.

2. Help deliver UK objectives on a range of issues from democracy and human rights, and wider UK support to Maldives by:

  • Engaging with the Maldivian Government.
  • Engaging with other stakeholders including the Maldivian Parliament, independent institutions, political groups, NGOs, journalists, and local community.
  • Working with international partners to coordinate efforts.
  • Scoping, analysing, and supporting UK funded projects.
  • Working with the Ambassador and Communications Manager to promote UK policy, including through digital media channels.

3. Organise official visits for the Ambassador, other High Commission staff and visitors from London by:

  • Designing high quality visit programmes.
  • Providing informative briefings.
  • Accompanying visitors and provide media support.

4. Deliver wider High Commission objectives in Maldives by:

  • Supporting Consular Team’s efforts to provide assistance to British Nationals.
  • Helping prepare and test the High Commission’s crisis plans.
  • Supporting work setting up and promoting the annual Visa Application Centre in Malé.
  • Contributing to cross mission events such as the Queen’s birthday party reception

Language requirements:

Language: English, Dhivehi

Level of language required:Fluent written and spoken level in both languages.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The British High Commission offers a range of learning and development opportunities – on the job training, e-learning, job shadowing, and could include visits to Delhi and London for more substantial training courses.  This would include opportunities to develop foreign policy skills, communications, human rights, and crisis training.

Other skills / experience / qualifications:

Essential on arrival:  

  • Excellent command of written and spoken English and Dhivehi
  • Deep knowledge of Maldivian politics and society
  • An established network of contact in Maldives
  • Confident using social media channels.

Desirable:

  • Experience of working in an international context
  • Programme experience
  • Communications experience.
1 November 2018
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term
40
24 months
South Asia & Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Colombo
British High Commission
1
LKR
LKR 240000.00 x 13 + 15% (EPF/ETF)
3 December 2018
2 December 2020

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply. 

For other than BHC candidates, salary will be LKR 240000.00 x 13 + 15% (EPF/ETF) per month, which is paid 13 times a year.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. 

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

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. 

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.

TO APPLY:

Please note that the applications without (a), (b) and (c) will not be considered:

(a)    Complete the Online Application Form

(b)    Attach a detailed CV

(c)     Complete the Motivation Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and inform their current line managers. Else, the application will not be considered. 

We will accept only online applications by ­­“1st November’18” midnight.  

  • 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. 
  • Candidates who currently don’t hold a Sri Lankan work visa can apply, but should they be successful, the job offer/joining is contingent on them being granted a Sri Lankan work visa.

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.

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.