Job Overview
The British Embassy Baghdad has a vacancy for Political Officer, job grade Executive Officer (EO), on a permanent contract.
This Political Officer role is a key part of the British Embassy’s Political Team, and the role holder will act as a source of advice to the Political Team and the Ambassador. The role holder will have lead responsibility for analysing internal political issues on certain areas.
This is a dynamic and fast-paced role that will be very rewarding for the right candidate. The role holder will need to have an up-to-date knowledge of the intricacies of Iraqi politics, have existing networks across the political spectrum and a proven ability to deliver timely well-informed political analysis. The role holder will also have the ability to further develop extensive contact networks. They will need to be proactive and able to use their initiative and judgement, take a collaborative approach to the team’s work, but will also need to be a self-starter, capable of working on their own and owning issues.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Analyse, monitor and advise on the political situation in Iraq, providing reporting and analysis to colleagues to help develop policy. Provide in depth analysis of internal political groupings and parties
- Build and maintain relationships with a broad range of contacts to inform reporting.
- Contribute to policy planning at post, working with the team particularly for business planning and related reviews.
- Engage with a range of stakeholders including government and political groups.
- Support delivery of a programme of visits for senior staff, including VIP visits.
- Support political team in meetings with Iraqi counterpart.
- Provide ad hoc policy support to colleagues in Political Section and across the Embassy, for example on visits and liaising and interpreting.
- There may be some opportunities for travel in the country in this role.
The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the line manager and Senior Management. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as and when required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis.
Key behaviours required:
- Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
- Making Effective Decisions: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
- Changing and Improving: Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
- Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
- Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
- Developing Self and Others: Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.
Eligibility:
If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as:
- We can obtain the appropriate level of local and UK security clearance for you; and
- You have (or be willing to obtain) the right to live and work in Iraq. Candidate’s residence permit and work permit, and the expense to obtain them, will be their own responsibility – the Embassy does not provide residence or work permits. If you have any questions about residency and/ or visa requirements, you should contact the relevant Iraqi Government Ministry.
- Politically astute with an excellent understanding of the Iraqi political and media landscape.
- Excellent political analysis skills and ability to express ideas concisely in writing and orally to a diverse audience.
- Ability to build on existing network and maintain a wide range of political and other contacts to support UK objectives in Iraq.
- Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills; confidence in dealing with teams across the Embassy, in the UK and government officials at all levels.
- Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
- IT literate and well versed in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
- Bachelor’s degree and/or post-graduate qualification in politics, international relations, or similar related subject.
- Experience of working in an Embassy or other international organisation.
- Experience in a political role.
Working hours and remuneration:
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including up to 20 days of annual leave (calculated pro-rata).
The role grade is Executive Officer (EO), with a base salary of US$ 2,387 per month. This base salary is paid 13 times a year. In addition, the role attracts a security allowance payable as part of this package. This security allowance is subject to review and may be altered or withdrawn at any time.
No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
This position is for a full-time employment on a permanent contract. Employment is also subject to a 90-day probationary period.
Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Normal working hours are from 08:00 to 16:00 on Sundays to Wednesdays and from 08:00-14:00 on Thursdays. The jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will also be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evenings/ weekends).
There may be flexibility for starting and leaving times as long as conditioned hours are completed. This will be considered based on operational requirements and in agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.
The Embassy encourages a culture of continuous learning. Training will be given in the role. All employees have access to the Civil Service Learning platform, which gives access to training to improve job specific skills. Employees are entitled to a minimum number of annual training days.
Application process:
Interested candidates must include to their online application form
1) An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);
2) A covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and
3) Examples in the relevant sections of the online application form of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required. Please refrain from the use of AI based tools when completing your application. This is to ensure a fair competition for all candidates and helps maintain the integrity process. If the use of AI is identified, your application may be rejected.
Applications that do not include these this information will not be considered.
All applications must be received before 23:55 Iraq local time on 03 November 2024.
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Internal candidates (i.e., those who are currently employed by the British Embassy Baghdad/ British Consulate General Erbil) applying for this position should consider informing their current line manager upon submission of their application.
Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step in the recruitment process will be contacted.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
The start date mentioned in the advert is a tentative 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 recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and in the UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidate’s profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.
The FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The British Embassy Baghdad is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local employment law.