Job Title : Political Adviser, Grade - EO, New DelhiLocation : New Delhi, DelhiCompany : Foreign & Commonwealth OfficeSalary : Open Date : 2023-04-13Close Date : 2023-08-13
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’
Main purpose of job:
The British High Commission’s Political Adviser is a part of the Political and Bilateral Affairs (PBA) team, working directly to the Senior Political Adviser and with British diplomats including the British High Commissioner. The main purpose of the job holder will be to track and report on important political developments, proceedings of Parliament (when in session), elections across Indian states and at national level and developments within Indian political parties and society that could have an impact on UK interests in India in line with our UK-India 2023 Roadmap.
We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
In addition to a deep understanding of Indian polity and targeted research skills, a keen interest and understanding of the Indian socio-cultural environment would stand the job holder in good stead.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Regular written reporting and updates on important political developments and their impact on UK interests. The areas covered would include regular reporting on Indian Parliament proceedings, elections, political parties and important political and wider important events in society.
- Targeted research including data analysis to deliver in-depth reporting and facilitate the Political and Bilateral Affairs team on reporting around a range of thematic pieces.
- Support members of the political department on visits (programme preparation, appointments and logistics), secure meetings and help with the delivery of political conferences.
- Undertake regular contact building and networking with a range of Indian politicians, young leaders and bureaucrats. Identifying contacts for teams across the High Commission.
- Prepare, maintain and update political background materials, such as briefs, and stakeholder management of important contacts.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Subject to funding, support members of the Political and Bilateral Affairs team in the delivery of projects, including managing programme budgets.
Language requirements:
Language: English and Hindi
Level of language required: The jobholder must have full professional fluency in English with good working knowledge of written and spoken Hindi. Knowledge of additional languages of India is also desirable.
A written test in English will be included as part of the recruitment process. This will take approximately 30 minutes and will take place in parallel to the interview, for those candidates who reach that stage in the recruitment process.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides a strong learning and development package through the International Academy and its faculties. Some of the faculties include geographic and thematic areas such as South Asia, Security, Defence and Intelligence, Understanding the UK and Diplomatic Practice. These take the form of courses, workshops and seminars by internal and external speakers. The jobholder will also be able to access a wide range of online and face-to-face training delivered for the UK Government in Britain and abroad.
Working patterns:
The British High Commission network across India is committed to providing flexible work patterns. The use of mobile ICT and the nature of the job means that the jobholder will be able to work different hours according to their personal circumstances. The High Commission is committed to ensuring employees enjoy a good work-life balance. It is a stimulating place to work where we value diversity and inclusion and care about the wellbeing of our people.
Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):
There is no ‘typical’ work day for the Political Adviser. The jobholder could have delivery deadlines varying from 30 minutes to a couple of days. This is an especially exciting time to join the British High Commission’s Political and Bilateral Affairs team with one year to go for India’s Parliamentary elections. The reporting and project work of the job holder and the wider team will become increasingly important and gain senior interest both locally and in London.
Essential qualifications, skills and experienceThe job holder will need to be proactive, organised, having sharp analytical and communication skills and be a team player. The job holder would also have to be good at networking and building relationships.
Essential on arrival:
Excellent written and oral communication skills. An ability to produce written work that is concise and timely and can deliver briefings and presentations in a confident and professional manner. The successful candidate has a strong interest in domestic politics, public policy and government.
- 2-5 years of experience in government, Embassy, journalism, communication, public policy or other relevant professions.
- Or highly motivated recent graduates with relevant degrees in areas such as politics or journalism can also apply.
- Accurate and quick English writing skills: the job involves producing a range of reports and emails for a UK government audience, often daily.
Desirable:
- Confident public speaker with an ability to work well in large teams
- Prior experience of working in an international, multicultural organisation.
For British High Commission candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
For other than BHC candidates, salary will be all-inclusive of INR 68,508 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Superannuation
Additionally, the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.
No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided.
Please note - BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
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 holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.
Around half of our work forces are 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, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.
Additional informationNote: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience segment and the behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
To Apply:
Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.
A. Complete the Online Application Form
B. Complete the Experience, Professional Skills and Behaviour based Segments in the Online Application Form
Internal candidates applying for this position need to inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.
We will accept only online applications by 27 April 2023 (latest by 23:55 hours IST).
Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission
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.
Please note - Provident Fund Transfer in and out from EPFO is not possible as BHC PF is managed by a private PF trust governed by Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The staff still has the option to transfer out and in from a privately held PF trust which are not governed by EPFO.
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. Basis the scores, the candidate/s who did not score as highly as the successful candidate, might be placed on the reserve list. If during the reserve period of 6 months, the same or largely similar role becomes available, the role may be offered to the second or subsequent appointable candidates.
The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, 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 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.