View Vacancy – Deputy Head, Political and Communications Team, BE Santiago

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy Santiago is recruiting a deputy team leader for its Political and Communications Team, an engaging and rewarding role shaping the strategic direction of the team’s political and human rights work and delivering on the strategic priorities of the Foreign Secretary and the UK government for its relationship with Chile.

Leading two direct reports and working closely with the ambassador, the team leader and sections across the embassy, you will use your strong networking skills and inter-disciplinary thinking to build a broad range of influential contacts across Chile’s political landscape (national and regional government, congress, political parties, the judiciary, research organisations / think-tanks, academia, and civil society including international organisations). You will do this through maximising opportunities and creative means, including funding and delivery of programming with civil society partners, to deliver operational and policy impact.

You will use your network to underpin, and strong analytical and Microsoft Office skills to produce, insightful political reporting to inform UK government policy and decision-making. This includes briefings to HMA and senior UK government officials, presentations to British embassies across Latin America, and reporting directly addressed to the Foreign Secretary. 

The role requires individual adaptability and multi-disciplinary thinking in response to changing priorities and a proven ability to work under pressure and as part of a team to deal with tasking (including on new and unfamiliar issues) that may arise unexpectedly, at short notice and against tight deadlines.

Roles and responsibilities:

The job holder will:

Set Strategic Direction: decide and deliver against priority areas of the British Embassy Santiago Country Plan and strategic priorities of the Foreign Secretary and UK government, thinking and working politically and co-operatively, and working across the embassy, to identify and deliver opportunities to maximise co-operation between the UK and Chile, particularly in Open Societies (e.g. human rights, Gender and Equalities, Freedom of Religion or Belief) through lobbying, bilateral and multilateral coordination, and managing project and programmatic interventions with civil society partners. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Mapping: build a network of influential contacts and broker trusted partnerships across Chile’s political landscape to support HMG strategic priorities, both for the Political and Communications Team and other embassy teams. Stakeholders will span the three branches of government, at national and regional levels, Congress, political parties, think-tanks, academia, and civil society including international organisations.

Insight and Analysis: deliver high quality, evidence-based and data driven political and institutional analysis and informed judgements of Chilean political issues and developments, at both the national and local level, highlighting implications for UK interests, to inform UK government understanding and policy decisions. Write high-level briefings for ministers and senior officials and share insight and analysis to HMG stakeholders through reporting including directly to the Foreign Secretary. Share insight, knowledge and best practice through engagement and presentations with the UK’s network of embassies across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Bilateral Engagement: facilitate and deliver high-level visits from senior British government representatives to Chile, including Ministers and officials based in the UK and across the region; exploiting your stakeholder network and political insight to deliver impactful visit programmes that succeed against high-priority objectives. 

Human Rights and Open Societies: lead and shape the UK-Chile partnership promoting human rights and open societies, in particular leading the team’s work on gender and equalities and media freedoms and working across the embassy. Contribute to the development and delivery of programming on human rights and open societies, developing areas for shared programming supporting UK objectives working with Chilean government institutions and civil society.

Management: Manage two direct reports to deliver BE Santiago, Political and Comms Team, and their individual goals while ensuring continued personal job satisfaction and professional development through L&D opportunities. Also deputise as Section Head as required. 

Wider Team Priorities: Support the team with other political and communications work.

Corporate: Support wider embassy and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office corporate objectives, e.g. crisis management preparedness, covering absences for team members, embassy outreach and public diplomacy activities.

Resources managed: 
2 x Political Officers 
1 x Intern 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in related field; 
• Experience of working in an international context and/or relevant experience in a political role;
• Advanced English and Spanish language written and oral communication skills; 
• Strong understanding of Chilean political affairs, including domestic and foreign priorities of major political parties and coalitions and knowledge of the three branches of Chile’s political system at national and key regional levels;
• Familiarity with prominent individuals in Chilean political, legislative, judicial, academic, civil society and business circles; 
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint); 
• Strong interpersonal skills including confidence to proactively build and engage contacts and stakeholders; 
• Strong analytical skills; 
• Proven research and reporting skills; 
• Flexible attitude and ability to switch easily between policy dossiers; 
• Proven ability to prioritise, handle multiple tasks and respond quickly to changing circumstances;
• Ability to work under pressure; problem-solving and attention to detail; 
• Ability to work flexibly and as a team player; and ability to interact with people at all levels of seniority.
• Previous line management experience.

Applicants must have the legal status to live and work in Chile