View Vacancy - Prosperity Officer
Main purpose of job
This is a vital role in the Embassy’s Prosperity Team, focussed in improving the education environment in Panama by working together with key stakeholders in Panama and the UK education sector. The objective is to identify and tackle key challenges in Panama’s education sector (including English language training, STEM education and vocational training), and strengthening the country’s education links with the UK education sector. The jobholder will also cover the policy on tackling the Illegal Wildlife Trade in Panama.
The jobholder will build up areas of expertise in policy areas, acquiring and using a network of contacts to spot key opportunities for the UK to work closely with Panama’s public and private sector to help improve Panama’s education sector.
The role also includes responsibility for bidding for and administering the Embassy’s GREAT fund; the UK’s international marketing campaign promoting both the commercial and soft-power of the UK. This will require an ability to think creatively and generate new ideas to help promote the UK in Panama, as well as construct and develop a business case.
Roles and responsibilities
Policy Development – 50%:
To develop and lead policy engagement on education and Illegal Wildlife Trade in Panama, identifying areas for change and working to deliver that change. To build up a network of contacts to support this work and help advance the UK’s Prosperity Agenda in these sectors. There will also be other policy areas that arise in response to London’s priorities, which will require the ability to get up to speed on new issues quickly.
Project Support – 30%:
While much of the embassy’ work is through direct policy engagement, we also use projects to improve engagement and help deliver our objectives. As the jobholder develops their areas of expertise, they will also be asked to take forward projects with external implementers in these areas. The role’s management of the GREAT fund will also mean leading on bidding for funding from London to deliver activity, as well as delivering and evaluating these events.
Wider policy support – 20%:
Alongside these key responsibilities, the jobholder will also support the head of the Prosperity team in other policy areas, as new opportunities for UK action arise.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office programmes, particularly Outlook and Word;
- Excellent levels of English and Spanish;
- Strong communications skills, both written and oral;
- Good networker;
- High level of organisational skills
Language: English and Spanish
Level of language required: Fluent in both, oral and written
- Understanding of policy development;
- Project management experience;
- Experience of working in international organisations and/or commercial activity;
- Knowledge of the Panamanian education sector;
- Economic skills/background.
Working patterns
Office hours in the embassy are 8am – 5pm Monday to Thursday and the 8am – 1pm on Fridays, though there is scope for flexible working arrangements, which can be agreed with the Line Manager; personal circumstances will be taken into account.
The British Embassy is an equal opportunities employer which seeks to promote diversity amongst the workforce by operating, merit based and non-discriminatory policies in recruitment, pay and, benefits to ensure a positive working environment for all staff.
The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and an enriching learning and development opportunities.
This opportunity is closed to applications.