View Vacancy - BK - Projects and Political Officer, B3 (L)

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:

The British Embassy Bangkok is a large diplomatic mission of around 140 staff delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives including on prosperity, trade, security, open societies, consular services and law enforcement. The Embassy is a modern, diverse and inclusive employer where everyone contributes to the Embassy’s CORE Values of Generosity, Ambition and Courage.

This exciting role in the Embassy’s Political Section will help deliver UK strategic objectives in Thailand. The role focuses on the management of programmes and projects on a wide range of issues, from human rights concerns to national security priorities. The jobholder will also be responsible for:  designing and coordinating a programme of events that maximises UK political engagement within Thailand, and; arranging important visits by UK Ministers and Senior Officials that aim to boost and develop UK-Thailand bilateral relations. The jobholder will provide support to the wider Political Section.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Programme & Project Management (40%):

Sitting within the Embassy’s Political Section, the jobholder will be the Embassy’s programme and project management lead. Specific tasks will include:

  • Advise Political Section’s and wider Embassy’s policy officers on all aspects of project management, including by keeping up to date with latest guidance issued by headquarters in London, and advising on best practice to ensure impactful projects that deliver value for money.
  • Ensure best practice is adhered to regarding: calls for bids from potential project partners; completing due diligence assessments; development of strong project bids; budget forecasting and spending; completion of monitoring and evaluation reports; preparation of contracts and grant agreements; ensuring project partners are aware of and can comply with UK rules and procedures.
  • Work with the Embassy’s Political Counsellor to identify future funding opportunities, ensuring a pipeline of activity that keeps the UK engaged on strategically important issues in Thailand.
  • Act as secretariat to the cross-Embassy Country Programme Board, including by scheduling Board meetings, preparing agendas and collating and circulating papers.

Events (35%):

The jobholder will design and coordinate a programme of events that maximises the impact of UK political engagement within Thailand. Specific tasks include:

  • Understanding UK strategic political objectives in Thailand, and identifying key stakeholders for Political Section to engage.
  • Design and deliver events for Political Section that maximises UK influence and impact, utilising technologies to reach our audiences, and providing good value for money.
  • Undertake evaluations and lessons learned from events to understand how the UK can improve delivery against objectives through future events.

Visits (20%):

The jobholder will support the Embassy’s Political Section in preparations for important visits, with a focus on visits by Ministers and senior officials from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and also occasional visits by members of the UK Royal Family. Specific tasks include:

  • Leading on all protocol aspects of visits, including by liaising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Royal Thai Police and other Thai ministries as necessary.
  • Leading on all logistical aspects of visits, with a particular focus on transport plans for VIPs, hotel and restaurant bookings.
  • Leading on the production of certain documents associated with visits, including Notes Verbal, biographies, transport plans and contacts lists.
  • Support visits by Political Section team members to different parts of Thailand, including by suggesting programme ideas, and booking flights and accommodation.

Other (5%):

The jobholder will be expected to contribute to the wider Embassy in support of corporate and crisis management objectives. The Embassy has a wide range of internal committees to take part in, such as our Inclusion and Diversity, Green, Learning and Development, and Wellness Committees. All members of staff undergo crisis management and response training, and should be ready to fulfil a crisis role as required.

  • Basic knowledge of Thai politics, government and parliamentary affairs
  • Strong interpersonal skills and initiative, with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Proven ability at gathering, summarising, analysing and presenting information clearly and concisely in English. Ability to communicate effectively and clearly both orally and in writing with colleagues and external interlocutors.
  • Track record of working well under pressure
  • Attention to detail with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard
  • Ability to make decisions and to work with limited supervision
  • Comfortable working with Microsoft Office applications including Word and Excel
  • Positive attitude and proactive approach
  • Ability to prioritise own workloads and make adjustments to accommodate urgent work items
  • Essential language requirement: Fluent in English. Excellent command of spoken and written English, equivalent to IELTS 7.5 or above. Offers of employment may be made conditional on a recent IELTS test but this is not required ahead of application / interview.
  • Basic knowledge of UK political system
  • Basic project management skills, including using financial management software and basic monitoring and evaluation
  • Experience of visit planning and / or event management
  • Experience working in an international organisation or studying or working abroad
  • Desirable language requirement: Thai language skills.
28 September 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
36
Asia Pacific
Thailand
Bangkok
British Embassy
1
THB
THB 65,152 per month
4 January 2022

The British Embassy offers a competitive compensation package including a guaranteed 13th month pay, 20 days paid annual leave (calculated on a pro-rata basis if you join after 1 January), extensive medical insurance and access to a guaranteed 5 days of learning opportunities a year.

Job specifications and descriptions within the Embassy may be subject to change in the coming months as the Embassy undergoes wider structural changes.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed): We encourage all staff to develop their capabilities, through both formal training courses and informal opportunities such as job-shadowing, coaching and on-the-job training. All staff are encouraged to share their skills and experience with colleagues, through informal training sessions or coaching/mentoring. We have an active L&D committee who organise a varied programme of learning for all staff.

The job-holder will be expected to undertake training offers relevant to their project and financial administration responsibilities, through FCDO training (including International Academy), and supplement this formal learning through on-the-job and mentoring / coaching opportunities.

Working patterns: This is a full time role - 36 hours/week, Monday to Friday. The Embassy has a flexible working policy and is committed to offering flexible working patterns balanced with the operational requirements of the role. The Embassy has processes in place to support remote working patterns.  We encourage applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly. 

In crisis/emergency situations you may need to work as required to support the Embassy response, sometimes on a shift pattern working which may result in unsociable hours and/or weekend working.

As an inclusive employer we are happy to discuss alternative working patterns at interview or at the point of any job offer.

Other conditions:

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.  Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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, 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.

British Embassy Bangkok’s Vision and Values:

VISION: What do we want to build?

A better, safer, more prosperous world for Britons and Thais alike.

MISSION: How will we achieve this?

By championing UK values and delivering tangible benefits to individuals, businesses and society: through quality service, effective partnerships and local expertise.

VALUES: that underpin our work

Courage: In our approach to our work: supporting innovation, creativity and taking calculated risks in solving problems; encouraging challenge and welcoming diverse perspectives; honesty in acknowledging and learning from mistakes.

Ambition: In the challenge we set ourselves: Striving to be excellent in the quality of service we deliver; inspiring our teams, colleagues, customers and stakeholders; passionate about our purpose.

Generosity: Of spirit: kindness in our daily actions and conversations; openness to differing cultures, ideas and opinions; understanding of differing styles and honest mistakes to build a culture of support.

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.