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, 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.

Job Category  Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory  Political

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) The British Consulate General in Jerusalem is seeking an ambitious and dynamic Political Officer.

Purpose of the job:

The successful candidate will provide analysis, advice and reporting on a wide range of Palestinian political and human rights issues. They will be responsible for ensuring that the Consul General, colleagues within the Consulate-General, the wider Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Other Government Departments have a good understanding of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). They will build a wide network of contacts and organise innovative campaigns, projects and visits to communities in the West Bank, representing the British Government during official meetings.

This is a busy and interesting role within the Consulate-General, which we are looking to fill with an individual who is motivated, proactive and creative. The role provides an excellent opportunity for someone with a keen interest in politics and human rights, who would like to develop their analytical and communication skills.

Duties and responsibilities:

- Conduct analysis and write reports on developments in Palestinian politics, the impact of the occupation and human rights in the West Bank including East Jerusalem (working alongside a Gaza Political Officer). Negotiate and agree reports on the impact of the occupation with colleagues from the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.

- Create and maintain a strong network of political and human rights contacts to assist with political analysis and reporting, e.g. PA, PLO members, Palestinian youth, UN, ICRC, NGOs, Palestinian human rights organisations, think-tanks. Represent the British Government during official meetings.

- Organise regular outreach visits to communities across the West Bank, representing the British Consulate-General and reporting on the situation on the ground (e.g. impact of settler violence, demolitions).

- Plan innovative projects, campaigns and events to support Palestinian communities, e.g. olive harvest campaign.

- Provide regular advice and briefing to the Consul General, visiting British Ministers and officials, staff from the Consulate-General and the wider Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Other Government Departments.

- Line management: Effective management of Public Affairs Assistant (A2).

- Contribute to wider Engagement Team and Consulate-General objectives which may vary during the course of this job, e.g. Chevening scholarship scheme and alumni engagement, media monitoring, crisis preparedness.

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Key Competences Required for the Job:

The candidate will need to demonstrate the following competencies in their application and during the interview. Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined below.

- Making Effective Decisions: using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice. It means showing clarity of thought, setting priorities, analysing and using evidence to evaluate options before arriving at well reasoned justifiable decisions.

- Leading and Communicating: leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about establishing a strong direction and a persuasive future vision; and managing and engaging with people with honesty and integrity.

- Engaging Internationally: developing productive relationships with external contacts and partners and engaging these to help deliver UK Government objectives. Awareness of cultural sensitivities. Using negotiation skills to achieve the best result for the UK.

- Delivering at Pace: focusing on delivering timely performance with energy, and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. It’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way.

- Collaborating and Partnering: creating and maintaining positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation to help get business done. It requires working collaboratively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.

- Seeing the Big Picture: having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential:

- Excellent research, analysis and communication skills in English and Arabic
- Strong networking and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build professional relationships with key contacts over a short space of time.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in a similar role.
- Good negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of Palestinian political system, culture, media environment and society.
- Knowledge of human rights and International Humanitarian Law and its application within the OPTs.
- Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines.
- Undergraduate degree qualification.
- Good IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes such as Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Able to interpret in meetings between spoken Arabic and English.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

- Project management skills.
- Experience in political analysis or similar.

Required competencies

Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace, Engaging Internationally

Application deadline 12 February 2018
Grade B3 (L)
Type of Position Fixed Term, Full-time
Working hours per week 38
Region Middle East & North Africa
Location (City) Jerusalem
Type of Post  British Consulate General
Number of vacancies 1
Start Date  1 April 2018
Other benefits and conditions of employment

Working Hours:

The position is full-time, fixed term at 38 hours a week with considerations of flexibility depending on circumstances.

Normal working hours at the Consulate-General are 08:00 – 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:00 – 14:00 on Friday. Occasionally the successful candidate may be required to attend evening receptions or official visits, but time off will be given in lieu of this. The successful candidate will be expected to start work as soon as possible.

Eligibility:

- The successful candidate must hold, or be able to secure, a local work permit.

- The successful candidate must be able to travel around the West Bank.
Additional information

To Apply:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents when applying online.

1. A covering letter.

2. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), of no longer than four pages.

** (Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in the cover letter or motivation section in the application form. Applications that do not include this information will be rejected).

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Local Time) on 12 February 2018.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Due to the large amount of applications we receive only those shortlisted for assessment/interview will be contacted.

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks.

The British Consulate General is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staffs recruited locally by the British Consulate General are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local employment law.

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