View Vacancy - Foreign Policy Officer (18/21 PTA)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Chancery

Main purpose of job:

This is an important and high-profile position at the heart of the Political Team. You will be responsible for helping progress UK-South Africa cooperation on foreign policy issues, with a particular focus on the African continent. Using your expert knowledge and analysis of South Africa’s role and interests in the region, you can expect to focus on South Africa’s bilateral relations within the continent (e.g. with Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Libya and Ethiopia); activity ongoing in the African multilateral fora (e.g. the African Union and SADC); Women, Peace and Security; and support on a number of other broader UK foreign policy priorities.

To deliver impact through this role, you will need to develop relevant high-level networks, establish cooperation with South African government and non-governmental actors, provide a range of types of written reporting (from extended analysis, to quick-fire updates) and design and deliver policy initiatives in support of the UK Government’s foreign policy objectives in Africa and South Africa.

Roles and responsibilities:

This is an important role delivering crucial work for the British High Commission. It will give the job holder excellent development opportunities in a fast-paced and friendly team.

Roles/ responsibilities the job holder will be expected to play and deliver on include:

  • Networking (30%): developing and maintaining an extensive, high calibre, professional network. Through this network you will be expected to gain insight that will inform your work, aid the UK government’s understanding of the Africa peace and security issues within your portfolio, and support the delivery of UK foreign policy objectives in Africa and South Africa
  • Analysis and reporting (30%): drawing on excellent analytical and research skills, you will produce written reporting on diverse aspects of South Africa’s foreign policy approach and priorities. This will range from extended ‘think pieces’ to real-time updates. In this way, you will play a role shaping UK foreign policy approaches
  • Policy development and delivery (30%): you will be expected to develop policy and pursue local activity in line with the overarching strategies of the UKinSouthAfrica and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Priority Outcomes, with the aim of deepening and widening the foreign policy partnership between the UK and South Africa. To do this effectively, you will need to be comfortable delivering policy objectives by a range of means, including lobbying and influencing, organising and running events, collaborating on projects with South African government or external actors, and designing strategically-informed communications campaigns
  • Cross cutting and Corporate support (10%): As all other staff at post, the post holder is expected to flex as required to support the delivery of broader High Commission priorities (e.g. playing a corporate role, or supporting events)
  • University degree, preferably in a related course
  • Experience of working with public policy and/or international relations
  • Excellent understanding of South Africa’s foreign policy approach
  • Strong writing and analytical skills
  • Team player, driven by values

Language requirements:

Language:  English

Level of language required: Excellent command of written and spoken English

  • Policy experience in: South Africa’s foreign policy, South Africa’s bilateral relations within Africa, Africa’s multilateral groupings (SADC, AU) and/or Women, Peace and Security
  • Experience of working in or with government in South Africa and/or organised civil society in relevant fields
  • Experience in communication campaigns or events organisation
8 July 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term
12 months
Africa
South Africa
Pretoria
British High Commission
R 46,900.66
1 August 2021

Learning and development opportunities:

The British High Commission prides itself on the learning and development culture within the organisation and the opportunities it offers to its staff. You will therefore have access to excellent programmes for professional development through the UK’s Diplomatic Academy, in areas such as Personal Impact, Diplomatic Practice and Communications. For someone who is proactive about their own L&D there is scope to learn a huge amount in the role. L&D is achieved through a combination of on-the-job learning, shadowing and mentoring opportunities, and formal training. The Regional Learning and Development Centre is based in Pretoria and offers a range of training courses over the year. The High Commission also runs regular ‘Teach-in’ sessions about different policy issues and there is ad-hoc learning through shadowing opportunities, including during diplomatic meetings.

The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.

  • Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
  • Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
  • Working hours per week of 36.5

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 Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa.
  • 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 fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation 
  • The British High Commission do 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 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
  • Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.
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.