View Vacancy - Political, Projects and External Engagement Manager B3 (03/20 FT) - OH - C

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:

Working at the British High Commission in Freetown offers unrivalled opportunity to be part of the strong and historic relationship between the UK and Sierra Leone. This position is high profile and at the forefront of the political engagement between the governments of Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom. You will work closely alongside the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, DFID, Defence Advisors, and BHC Political Section to support our campaigns, political projects, scholarships, media partnerships, and our deep bilateral political and civil society relationships.

You will work on high profile issues, directly with senior Sierra Leonean and British politicians and officials. You will need acute political judgement, absolute discretion, excellent judgement and exceptional communication skills. In return you will be part of an organisation which values excellence, respect and personal development, with access to all its opportunities and resources.

Candidates are likely to have experience working in international organisations, with a significant media and/or external relations focus and ideally bring a network of influential contacts.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Provide balanced, detailed political analysis and reporting of key issues in Sierra Leone. Themes will likely include political events and elections and; human rights; climate and the environment.
  • Identify and propose project interventions in support of the British High Commission’s political priorities. Working with external partners to shape project design then oversee delivery and impact.
  • Contribute to the development then delivery of the BHC’s communication, engagement and campaigns strategy. This will include working closely with media partners, using social media to communicate and influence, and applying a strategic communications approach to promoting and amplifying the work of the UK in Sierra Leone.
  • Lead on the UK’s Chevening Scholarship programme that provides post graduate study opportunities for Sierra Leoneans at Universities in the UK. Organise the process for the selection of students and prepare them for their departure to the UK. Arrange alumni networking events and promote the programme in Sierra Leone.
  • Organise events which support the British High Commission’s objectives: from lunches and dinners with politicians and civil society to large receptions which promote and celebrate the UK’s partnerships in Sierra Leone.
  • Act as coordinator and public communications hub for the whole of the UK government presence in Freetown including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, DFID, UK Military/MOD, Public Health England.
  • Assist and advise the UK diplomats in their day-to-day contact with the Government of Sierra Lone and oversee the Political Section’s public correspondence.
  • Be an active part in the overall British High Commission as part of our crisis response teams and supporting high profile visits such as UK Ministers and members of the Royal Family.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • Manage international programmes with a value of about £100,000 a year. Manage the Chevening programme with a value of about £250,000 a year. 
  • Degree level or equivalent in international relations, politics, economics or similar.
  • Proven political analysis/influencing experience;
  • Understanding and interest in international political and policy issues;
  • Project management;
  • Advanced IT skills including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and publishing/media software
  • Fluent written & spoken English.
  • Managing media;
  • Working in large, complex organisations.
15 July 2020
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time
35
Africa
Sierra Leone
Freetown
British High Commission
1
SLL 4,047,709.53 (paid 13 times per year)
1 September 2020

Learning and development opportunities:

The British High Commission has an active approach to learning and development. We value and prioritise learning and development as part of everyone’s job role. It is is expected that you will undertake a personal development plan, where we will support your continuous professional development.

There are a wide range of options available for personal development including training courses, coaching and mentoring, job-shadowing, presentations and learning sets. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities. The job-holder will be required to take some specific training courses related to their role. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.

  • The British High Commission in Sierra Leone maintains and develops relations between the UK and Sierra Leone. The political section is at the forefront of developing those relations and is an exciting and rewarding place to work. It is a small but busy team team enabling us to work closely and collaboratively across the the High Commission. Being a proactive, enthusiastic team player is essential for the role. It also offers the chance to be innovative, build networks, represent the UK and work strategically with colleagues to design programmes and events that will take forward our bilateral relationship with Sierra Leone.
  • 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 in Freetown are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Sierra Leone.
  • 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.
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay the fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation
  • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
  • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-frameworkPlease note: Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5.
  • Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted.
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.