Political and Communications Officer (HEO)

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.Job Category Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)Job Subcategory Economic and ProsperityJob Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The British Embassy Algiers currently has a vacancy for Political and Communications Officer, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) on a permanent full-time contract.
The Political & Communications Officer plays a vital role in the British Embassy’s Political Team. You will lead networking, analysis and communications work to support the Embassy’s engagement with government, political parties, the media and civil society on a wide range of issues. You will draw on your existing network of political contacts, and build new contacts, to deliver high quality political analysis and reporting on key issues in support of UK diplomacy. You will be the Embassy’s expert on the Algeria’s domestic political landscape, able to analyse and report on new developments. You will support a range of high-profile diplomatic work including visits and briefings. You will also co-ordinate the Embassy’s communications strategy, working alongside all other teams to promote the UK and our public facing work.
You will work closely with the Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission and teams across the Embassy. You will have the opportunity to propose new approaches and use your creativity and analytical skills to enhance the UK-Algeria relationship.
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 promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Duties and responsibilities:
Networking

Bring to the role, and build on, a network of contacts across the political spectrum/civil society in support of Embassy objectives.

Political analysis & reporting

Deliver political analysis and high-quality reporting on developments in Algeria that informs policy advice for the Embassy and London.
Produce a clear, concise daily press review to flag domestic developments as they happen

Communications

Lead the Embassy’s communications strategy using the full range of techniques including digital and social media.
Manage the Embassy’s external social media accounts and use them to effectively promote UK objectives in Algeria.
Act as a first point of contact for the Algerian media, issuing press releases and identifying opportunities to publicise the Embassy’s work.
Work closely with senior colleagues to enhance the impact of their social media presence.

Chevening Scholarships

Lead the expanded Chevening Scholarship programme for the Algeria network – including managing the recruitment campaign each year and arrangements for successful scholars due to study in the UK.
Develop a stronger, more active network of Chevening alumni.

Corporate

Play an active role in the Embassy’s crisis preparedness.
Make a full contribution to the Embassy’s corporate work, promoting a positive, inclusive environment for all colleagues.
Take on a corporate role such as a member of a committee or a lead in a corporate area.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs.
Key behaviours required:

Seeing the bigger picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
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.

Eligibility
Applicants must have the legal right to reside and work in Algeria.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience


Excellent written and spoken English, Arabic & French.


Politically astute with an excellent understanding of the Algerian political and media landscape.


Ability to build on existing network and maintain a wide range of political and other contacts to support UK objectives in Algeria.


Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills; confidence in dealing with teams across the Embassy, in the UK and government officials at all levels.


Excellent political analysis skills and ability to express ideas concisely in writing and orally to a diverse audience.


Strong social media skills across a range of platforms and devices.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience


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
Required behaviours :


Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together


Application deadline :

20 October 2024

Grade :

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position :
Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week :

38

Region :

Middle East & North Africa

Country/Territory :

Algeria

Location (City)

Algiers

Type of Post :

British Embassy

Number of vacancies : 1
Salary Currency :

DZD

Salary :

270,924.68

Type of Salary :

monthly

Start Date :

1 December 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment :
Working hours and other benefits:
The Embassy offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for the role, including a non-negotiable gross salary of DZD 270,924.68 per month plus DZD 15,000 allowance**.** However, 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.
No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
The package includes medical insurance, 25 days of paid leave annually (on pro rata basis, increasing to 30 days after completion of 5 years of service) along with up to 14 days paid public holidays. The Embassy offers a good working environment in a modern, purpose-built office, as well as use of the Embassy’s recreational facilities: on-site swimming pool, a tennis court, and gym facilities after working hours.
This position is for a full-time employment, on a permanent contract, subject to a 6-month probationary period.
Conditioned working hours is 38 hours per week. Normal working hours are 08:00 to 15:40 from Sunday to Thursday. The Embassy encourages flexible working, with an opportunity for staff to work one day a week from home subject to operational need and line manager’s approval.
The Embassy aims to be a highly inclusive place to work, celebrating a workforce with both diversity of thought and background. To help achieve this, the Embassy takes a values-based approach to leadership and people management, and has a zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.
Within the embassy, there is an active L&D culture, with a variety of opportunities on offer, from ad hoc learning sessions run by embassy colleagues to more structured courses, and you will be encouraged to participate in these.
You will have full access to the FCDO’s International Academy learning and development platform, providing formal and informal L&D across the organisation. You will benefit from the opportunity to participate in a variety of training courses according to your interests and development needs. This includes specific training on FCDO procurement processes and Health and Safety requirements.
In addition to job-specific training, you will have access to the whole range of training through the FCDO’s International Academy, enabling you to build professional skills including leadership and management, as well as developing your understanding of the UK.
Additional information
How to apply:
Interested candidates must include in English:

an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Covering Letter;
motivation essay, in the relevant sections of the online application form, stating how you meet the requirements of the role;
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 this information will not be considered.
Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 20 October 2024.
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Process:
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two-three months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and with UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidates 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.
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 job 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.
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 Algiers is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.