View Vacancy - Maldives Political Officer - B3 - Colombo

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

Length of the contract: 2 Years

Main purpose of job

Provide high quality political reporting and analysis of developments in Maldives. Contributing to policy development and helping deliver the UK Government's objectives.  Supporting the bilateral relationship and our multilateral cooperation.

Roles and Responsibilities

We are looking for a dynamic and confident individual with strong political awareness to report 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 ensuring the bilateral relationship with Maldives stays strong, 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 democracy and human rights and extremism.

 

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 other diplomatic 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 radicalisation by:

-          Engaging with the Maldivian Government.

-          Engaging with other stakeholders including 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.

-          Contributing to events such as the Queen’s birthday party reception


Resources managed

Oversight of annual bilateral project funding (worth £133,000 in 2017-18)

Working patterns:

This job is based in Colombo. The jobholder must either already be living in Colombo, or be willing to move to Colombo for the start of the job. There is no relocation package, but a responsibility allowance is payable. We would expect the successful candidate to work remotely in Maldives roughly one week in eight.

 

Covering Maldives from Colombo can be a challenge, particularly as the majority of the team work only on Sri Lanka issues.  The successful candidate will therefore need to be resilient, and continue to driving UK objectives on Maldives through busy times and quiet.

Working hours are ordinarily 40 hours net per week. There may be a requirement to work non-conditioned hours and occasionally take telephone calls in the evenings and exceptionally at weekends.

 

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.


Language requirements:


Language: English, Dhivehi


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


Experience:

Essential on arrival:  

  • Excellent command in 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
8 April 2018
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term
40 Hours
24 months
South Asia & Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Colombo
British High Commission
1
LKR
LKR 120752 along with 10% Responsibility Allowance paid monthly in arrears x 13 times a year
15 May 2018

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

 

The salary will be LKR 120,752 along with 10% Responsibility Allowance paid monthly in arrears x 13 times a year. For non Sri-Lankan nationals, there will be a notional tax deduction in the monthly salary. 

 

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management and appraisal system linked to an annual performance bonus. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, paid sick leave provision, good development opportunities and an organisational culture of respect and equality

Please note that 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 successful.
  • No telephone enquires will be dealt with.
  • The appointment will be subject to police verification and other reference checks.

 

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. 

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.