View Vacancy - Senior Political Officer (Federal Politics) - C4 - Islamabad
Main purpose of job:
The successful candidate will provide political analysis in Pakistan, focussing on federal politics including activity in the National Assembly and Senate. You will also work with other teams and our offices in Lahore and Karachi to understand the interplay between federal and provincial politics. You will lead political engagement on one strand of the UK’s new £26.5m democracy programme. You will develop and maintain a network of contacts to inform this reporting and analysis and be responsible for ensuring the political team, as well as the High Commissioner, have the right contacts in the right places to really get under the skin of what is going on in Pakistan. You will also play a leading role in the coordination of events and visits on behalf of the British High Commission.
You will be managed by the Second Secretary Political (Federal Politics and Punjab). You will work with and provide a service to a wide range of policy and programme teams based in Islamabad including Political Internal and External, Counter Terrorism and Justice and Home Affairs. You will also provide political insight to the other teams in the mission to support wider UK objectives in Pakistan. You will line manage one A2L officer and as a senior member of the local team you will be required to help set the framework for the work of junior colleagues, including embedding organisational vision and values.
Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting
- Use network of contacts to inform reporting on and monitoring of political developments.
- Support the wider political team and other sections in the mission by providing informed, timely and strategically aware political analysis.
- Undertake proactive and reactive open source research on topics of interest to the BHC, verify this research with expert contacts and use it to increase depth and breadth of understanding, often to tight deadlines.
Manage network of contacts
- Develop and maintain a diverse network of contacts and use this network to inform understanding, identify opportunities and support UK priorities across Pakistan. A key part of this job will be ensuring that UK policy makers are getting out and seeing the right people.
- Inform effective BHC engagement through advice on relationships and key influencers within and outside the Pakistani establishment, including supporting programmatic delivery.
- Champion and manage BHC Contact Database.
Visits and Events Organisation
- Organise, accompany and support senior staff on visits and produce timely and informative records of meetings.
- Co-ordinate events (receptions, dinners) including proposing events, compiling guest lists, overseeing administration to ensure success and on occasion attending to provide support.
CSSF
- Lead ‘political engagement’ strand of £26.5 million British High Commission Democracy programme, working with the programme team to maximise impact
Management
- Manage one political support officer: delegating work effectively; providing timely and constructive feedback; and helping this officer to develop.
- Knowledge of Pakistani politics, state institutions (particularly the House and the Senate) and key influencers.
- A Bachelors degree; ideally in International Relations or similar.
- A proactive dynamic individual with a can-do attitude, who works well in a team.
- Be well organised and able to demonstrate flexibility.
- Have strong computer skills (particularly MS Word, Excel and Outlook).
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Have a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to think creatively to solve problems, sometimes under pressure and multi-task.
- Have a track record in managing and prioritising your workload.
- Confidence and commitment to deliver with minimal supervision.
- Relevant two years experience of interacting with politial parties, government bureaucracy and civil society organistions.
For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
For other than BHC candidates, salary will be PKR 202,133 per month.
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.
Around half of our work force is women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
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.
Working patterns:
It is a full-time position based in Islamabad but with occasional travel to other parts of the country required.
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) else the application will not be considered.
Please note:
- 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.
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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
