View Vacancy - Political Officer

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

Support UK delivery on reconciliation and human rights, including through reporting and analysis of political developments, with a focus on Tamil and Muslim communities and political parties.

Provide political reporting and analysis on developments in Sri Lanka by: ( 50%)

Monitoring the situation in the north and east, including Tamil and Muslim politics

Building and maintaining relationships with a broad range of contacts to inform reporting.

Writing regular balanced reports to inform policy development.

Providing in depth analysis of issues such as land, IDPs, and human rights.

Support effective delivery of UK objectives on accountability, reconciliation, and human rights, by: (40 %)

Engaging with a range of stakeholders including government, political groups, civil society, NGOs, and local community.

Working with international partners to coordinate efforts.

Working with the High Commission’s Programme Team to deliver UK funded projects.

Contributing to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Annual Human Rights Report.

Supporting London’s work to engage diaspora groups.

Providing content for High Commission’s communications channels.


Provide Tamil Language Support: (10%)

Accompanying the High Commissioner and senior visitors to the north and east.

Monitoring and analysing Tamil media.

WHAT WE DO:

Our mission is to develop and maintain relations between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, and the UK and Maldives. We deal with a wide range of political, commercial, security and economic issues of interest to the UK in the two countries.

WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU

We are looking for a dynamic and confident individual with sound judgement and strong analytical skills to advise and help develop UK policy towards Sri Lanka. 

The ideal candidate will have an excellent understanding of the politics of the north and east, and of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.  They will write regular reports to London to help inform UK policy, writing accurately at speed, and able to provide balanced analysis and advice.

We are looking for someone with an established network of contacts, and who is comfortable working with a range of stakeholders, including politicians, civil society, NGOs and project partners and local community to deliver UK objectives.

Excellent team working skills are essential. The successful candidate will need to build co-operative working relationships across the High Commission, the team in London, and like-minded diplomatic missions in Colombo.

This is a busy and high profile position and may require flexible working during busy periods.There will be opportunities for travel around Sri Lanka, including accompanying the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner on visits.

 


  • Excellent command in written and spoken English and Tamil (this will be tested at interview)
  • A thorough understanding of Sri Lankan history, culture and politics
  • An established network of contacts in Sri Lanka
  • Confidence to express ideas clearly and concisely
  • Personal drive and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Strong organisational and time management skills
  • Flexibility and resilience under pressure
  • Experience of working in an international context
  • Programme experience
  • Communications experience
2 August 2016
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time
40
South Asia & Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Colombo
British High Commission
1
LKR
Salary will start at LKR 108,018 per month which is paid 13 times a year.
1 September 2016

Salary Package

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

The salary will start at LKR 108,018 per month which is paid 13 times a year. 

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. The British High Commission is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from applicants with diverse backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnicity, age, religion, sex or disability.    

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 and poya holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; good development 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.


To Apply

(a) Completed Online Job Application Form

(b) Attach a detailed CV

(c) 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.

PLEASE NOTE: JOB OFFERS FROM THE UK GOVERNMENT

The UK Government, including UK Trade and Investment, does not send unsolicited emails with job offers - either direct or through agents. Government vacancies are advertised on official websites in the UK:www.careers-civilservice.gov.uk or in India on the British High Commission’s website.

All British High Commission vacancies are filled through a competitive process managed by our Human Resources Section. You will never be approached directly by the High Commissioner with an offer of a job.

Some job scams falsely use the names and job titles of genuine High Commission staff. A genuine email from an official member of staff will always be sent from our official email address - @fco.gov.uk. It will never be sent from a hotmail or yahoo type email account.

 

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.