View Vacancy - Senior Policy Officer - Human Rights, Peace and Security HEO (17/24 NR)

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:

Use in depth knowledge of Kenya’s political and governance system to inform UK policy and activity in Kenya related: 1) community security 2) human rights – especially the rights of women and girls and 3) Kenya’s role in peacebuilding in the wider region.   Grow the UK’s network of political contacts and relationships (with e.g.  political actors, civil society, media and religious leaders) to deliver objectives related to these three policy areas. Provide thoughtful, balanced and timely advice on the impact of political developments. Use knowledge to spot opportunities and manage risks.  Lead implementation of policy and programmes to support delivery of these objectives.  Use knowledge and networks to support delivery of objectives under the UK Kenya Strategic partnership.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Use knowledge of Kenyan political and governance systems to inform to provide high quality analysis and advice to inform delivery of UK policy objectives related to 1) community security 2) human rights – especially the rights of women and girls and 3) Kenya’s role in peacebuilding in the wider region.  
  • Lead the UK’s work on human rights, including setting policy and designing strategies (influencing, communications, programming) to achieve objectives. 
  • Strengthen of understanding of the issues related to 1) community security 2) human rights and 3) Kenya’s role in peacebuilding in the wider region within the British High Commission through sharing analysis, updates, delivering seminar and other tools as required.
  • Maintaining regular contact with internal and external stakeholders from GOK, donors, civil society, academia and the private sector, providing advice to different teams across the mission as appropriate.  Support colleagues, including the High Commissioner, develop contacts and network to progress UK priorities. Including development of networks in the wider East Africa and Horn region.
  • As required support implementation of programmes including the UK’s £20m REINVENT community security programme, but including the design and implementation of new programme areas.
  • Support delivery of wider UK objectives under the UK Kenya Strategic Partnership – including through political analysis, advice and influencing. Take on leadership for delivery of additional areas of UK policy as needed.
  • Take on ad hoc duties as needed, for example arranging Ministerial and other senior inward and outward visits, arranging events such as roundtables.
  • Degree level qualification in politics, international relations or a related field.
  • Experience in human rights, peace and security policy design and implementation.
  • Excellent networking skills with established and extensive relationships with wide range of political actors in Kenya.  Excellent communication and influencing skills.
  • Enthusiasm and ability to establish strong relationships with a variety of senior stakeholders in national Government, international community, civil society, business and local government. 
  • Experience of overseeing programme management, including an understanding of risk management, value for money, safeguarding, and delivering results.
  • At least 5 years’ experience working in the field of politics and/or governance
  • Proven ability to write accurate and insightful reports quickly.
  • Highly organised, proactive, able to take initiative and to work independently and accurately to meet deadlines.
  • Knowledge of UK political and governance structures.
Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
29 March 2024
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Permanent
36.5 hours
Africa
Kenya
Nairobi
British High Commission
1
KES 407,065.27 (Monthly)
1 May 2024

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

  • Completion of All Mandatory Courses on the FCDO e-learning International Academy
  • Together with the Line Manager/ Countersigning Manager, explore areas of development

Working patterns:

Normal working hours for BHC Nairobi are 36.5hrs per week:  Monday – Thursday 7:15am – 4:00pm, Friday 7:45am – 1:00pm. Full-time hours required. However, flexible working arrangements are welcome and you should take the opportunity to discuss this with the recruiting manager during the recruitment process. 

  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening. 
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted. 
  • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position. 
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law. 
  • It is essential that the applicants already have the right to live and work in Kenya without the need to apply for a work permit.
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to: 
  • The British High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so. 
  • 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. 
  • Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles 
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates. 
  • Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
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.