British Embassy
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
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Political
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Main purpose of job:
The British Embassy Bangkok is a large diplomatic mission of around 150 staff delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives including on economic and sustainable development, trade, security, open societies, consular services and law enforcement. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team.
This role acts as the principal source of advice in the Embassy on what is happening in Thai politics, the implications of those events, the key players/institutions, and longer-term trends. On the basis of this analysis, and working with external partners, this officer is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing activities to support delivery of our objectives in a number of thematic policy areas.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Proactively provide impartial analysis, reporting and advice on Thai domestic politics, Thai foreign policy, regional affairs, and aspects of the bilateral relationship.
- Maintain and extend Political Section’s network of contacts with government, political parties, academics, and civil society: use that network creatively to get to the people we need to speak to quickly and effectively.
- Provide substantive input into discussions on our strategic objectives and delivery planning.
- Lead on policy and activities linked to democracy, fundamental freedoms and media freedom. Oversee any project activity linked to these themes and contribute to programme management.
- Work with, and in support of, teams across the mission to help deliver wider Embassy objectives; high level visits; and senior engagements.
- Represent the Embassy in meetings with contacts and at public events; occasionally act as interpreter at high level meetings.
Line management and crisis management [10%]:
- Line management of 1 x EO officer, leading on programme management, events and visits.
- Member of the Political Crisis Team
Other:
- In times of peak operation demand, work flexibly within the Section and within the Embassy
- All staff will be expected to make a corporate contribution to the smooth running of the British Embassy, either through a committee membership or another voluntary role.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
- Ad hoc project funds related to democratic resilience.
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- At least 2 years’ professional experience in a field closely linked to Thai domestic politics; an established range of contacts in this field
- Ability and readiness to combine short, sharp reporting on fast-moving issues and in-depth analysis of longer term trends
- Confidence and credibility to engage with senior Embassy external contacts
- Ability to think creatively, to challenge assumptions and play a meaningful part in shaping and driving delivery of specific policy areas
- Ability to work proactively with limited supervision, prioritise competing tasks, and to deliver under pressure
- Discretion and an ability to maintain political impartiality in official dealings
- Track record of delivering through working effectively as part of a team; and of collaborating with other teams to deliver organisational objectives
- Willingness to give and receive constructive feedback on behaviours and competences
- Engaged, inspiring colleague, able to convey the bigger picture of organisational priorities
Language requirements:
Language: English and Thai
Level of language required:
English: Excellent command of spoken and written English, equivalent to IELTS 7.5 or above. Offers of employment may be made conditional on a recent IELTS test but this is not required ahead of application / interview.
Thai: Excellent command of spoken and written Thai, equivalent to C1 CEFR level or above. (Political Thai not required).
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- Experience working in an international role or context
- Experience working in government, parliament or a multilateral organisation
- IT competent and ready to adapt to new office technologies
- Knowledge of, and interest in, the UK, its political system and place in the world
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Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture
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3 June 2024
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Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
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Full-time, Temporary
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36
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Asia Pacific
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Thailand
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Bangkok
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British Embassy
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1
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THB
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THB 108, 455
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12 August 2024
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This role is advertised as a full-time, maternity leave cover for 20 weeks with possibility of extension.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The British Embassy Bangkok encourages all staff to develop their capabilities, through both formal training (courses) and informal (job-shadowing, coaching, on-the-job training etc.). The majority of our formal L&D opportunities are drawn from FCDO resources. All staff are encouraged to share their skills and experience with colleagues, through informal training (‘lunch & learn’) or coaching/mentoring. All staff are eligible for 5 L&D days a year.
Working patterns:
This is a full time role – 36 hours/week, Monday to Friday. The officer will be required to undertake occasional evening work to fit in with the operational requirements of the role.
We are currently operating a hybrid working pattern with staff expected to work from the Embassy for 60% of their working week.
The Embassy has a smarter working policy and is committed to offering flexible working patterns balanced with the operational requirements of the role. In crisis/emergency situations you may need to work as required to support the Embassy response, sometimes on a shift pattern, which may result in unsociable hours and/or weekend working.
As an inclusive employer we are happy to discuss alternative working patterns at interview or at the point of any job offer.
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Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
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.
Please note that it is likely that any non-Thai national who is successful in securing a role within the Embassy will need to leave the country and re-enter with a specific type of visa if currently living in Thailand or will need to apply for a visa before travelling here if currently based outside of Thailand. Whilst the Embassy can support you with this process, the costs involved will need to be met by the candidate.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
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 offers a competitive compensation package including a guaranteed 13th month pay, 20 days paid annual leave (calculated on a pro-rata basis if you join after 1 January), extensive medical insurance and access to a guaranteed 5 days of learning opportunities a year.
The British Embassy Bangkok promotes the following values:
- Expertise – We bring cultural, linguistic, geographic, historical and technical expertise to our work. We continuously invest in ourselves and share expertise for the benefit of the UK internationally.
- Respect – We have respect for each other and the different cultures we come from and work with. We are open, inclusive, fair and courteous and treat others with kindness and compassion.
- Resilience – We are ready to work in tough places or on difficult issues. We look after ourselves, support each other and display solidarity with individuals, teams and organisations.
To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
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To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
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