Political Officers 3 (SWE21.176)

Foreign &
Commonwealth
Office

Political Officers 3 (SWE21.176)
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.

The British Embassy in Sweden is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are now looking to recruit three Political Officers for the Political section, each role to cover one of the following areas:
. Foreign and development policy,
. Economics and trade,
. Domestic governance, prosperity and other related areas such as digital, education and transport policy.
Each role is designed to:
. provide relevant and timely analysis of political, development, economic or trade issues in Sweden to the UK government network.
. identify opportunities for the UK to consolidate and strengthen ties with Sweden in foreign and development, economics and trade or prosperity or domestic policy.
The job holders will also run events, visits by UK ministers and senior officials, and provide cover for other members of the Political Section as the need arises.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
. Provide analysis and insights on Swedish political, development, economic or trade issues, through network of contacts, attendance at seminars, desk based research etc.
. Gather information, lobby and influence in line with UK government objectives on specific political, economic or trade policy areas. Devise and deliver visits from senior officials and ministers in support of UK objectives.
. Identify and build on opportunity for enhanced interaction between UK and Swedish officials and NGO, business, research or innovation communities. Devise and deliver projects, seminars and events to support this.
. Work closely with colleagues in the Embassy's Defence, Trade and Investment, Science and Innovation and Communications teams to maximise engagement between UK and Swedish counterparts.
Essential Skills
. Excellent Swedish and English language skills (C1 level or above under the CEFR*).
. Excellent communication skills, including ability to write clearly and concisely, and to persuade and influence orally.
. Demonstrable knowledge of the Swedish political system and society.
. A good awareness of UK politics and global affairs.
. Good research and analysis skills.
. A self-starter with the ability to organise self, work effectively and think creatively.
. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
. Curiosity about opportunities for UK-Sweden collaboration, and the entrepreneurship required to take them forward.
. Flexibility to travel occasionally, including to the UK.
Additional requirement for the role covering foreign and development policy:
. Proven foreign policy and analysis experience on development/human rights and women, peace and security issues.
Additional requirement for the role covering economics and trade:
. Experience working with economic policy and/or economic issues.
.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

. Experience of working in a government, Embassy or NGO.
. Project and budget management experience.
. A good understanding of British and European political structures and dynamics.
Additional requirement for the role covering foreign and development policy:
. Experience working for or with international organisations and Institutions (UN, EU, OCSE, NATO), preferably in relations to development and human rights issues.
Additional requirement for the role covering economics and trade:
. A qualification in economics.

Required competencies
Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace

Applications

Deadline for applications is 23 May 2021. For further details on this vacancy and information on how to apply, please follow the link on the new FCO Local Staff Vacancies Homepage-here

These are full time positions (40 hours per week. Two roles are permanent and the third role covering Domestic governance/prosperity is a fixed-term contract until 31st March 2022.
According to the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, locally employed staff should either be Swedish citizens, EU citizens or permanent residents of any nationality registered in the population register when beginning their employment. Registration in the population register is not possible once employment has begun. For more information please consult:
https://www.government.se/government-of-sweden/ministry-for-foreign-affairs/diplomatic-portal/diplomatic-guide/8.-employment/8.1-locally-employed-staff/
The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance.
The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance.
Additional information
FCO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.