View Vacancy – Governance Adviser, Grade – G7, British High Commission, New Delhi

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 Governance Adviser is a part of the Political and Bilateral Affairs (PBA) team, working directly to the Head of PBA and with British diplomats including the British High Commissioner.  The main purpose of the job holder will be develop UK understanding of India’s institutions and political economy, identifying areas to strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries.  The Governance Adviser is expected to lead on providing high quality analysis and advice to colleagues across the British High Commission, based on deep theoretical understanding of governance and political economy as well as practical experience in delivering policy and programmes.  The job holder will develop a new Open Societies and Institutions strategy and support existing work on judicial reform and new projects on civil service modernisation, anti-corruption and digital governance. The Governance Adviser will also be responsible for improving colleagues’ skills across the network in understanding governance and political economy, be a member of the FCDO’s global Governance Advisory network, and provide support to posts in the wider region.

In summary, we are looking for someone with a combination of good technical skills and who can demonstrate results and impacts, is inquisitive, open to learning, flexible and works in an inclusive manner.

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:

This is a senior role within the Political Strategy and Comms department at the British High Commission, which will allow the job holder to increase their own analysis of Indian systems of Governance and work with the UK on identifying opportunities for collaboration in these areas. It is a fast paced, practical, analytical role, working with colleagues across the British High Commission and UK Government, including political officers, economists and experts in climate, tech, infrastructure, trade and more. Specific responsibilities include:

1. Lead the governance and institutions workstream in the political, strategy and comms department. This will include leading analysis on governance and democracy in India, undertaking analysis on governance issues and institutions, presenting compelling data and evidence and its implications on programme and policy priorities. Improving the quality and breadth of the UK’s analysis of these trends, presenting them to colleagues in India and London.
2. Build greater capability and run future partnerships on Government of India’s key reform agendas including judicial reform, anti-corruption, digital governance and transparency and civil service modernisation. Building contacts across these areas and identifying opportunities for partnership between the UK and Indian government. Working with colleagues in the FCDO to advance these agendas through multilateral channels (OECD, G20)
3. Supporting political and open societies reporting and relationship building. Working with colleagues to develop a new open societies strategy and feeding into policy discussions with UK colleagues. The post-holder will be expected to build a network of external experts and analysts who will complement the UK’s understanding of India.
4. Technical governance leadership and mentorship to colleagues across the British High Commission network in India to improve governance capability.
5. Accredit as a member of the FCDO’s global Governance Advisory cadre, attending regular meetings in person and online. Undertake your own professional development to maintain high quality competencies and knowledge, building on FCDO’s Governance Cadre Technical Competency Framework.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
The job holder will be expected to identify funding streams within FCDO to run new projects focused on government partnerships in areas or reform, and research and analysis in democratic governance.

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. 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. 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. There will be opportunities to travel across India, supporting Deputy High Commissions, and working with Governance Advisers in neighbouring countries in South Asia. The job-holder will accredit to the Governance Adviser cadre, attend the annual in person conference, and providing 10% support to another UK government post or department to be decided upon recruitment.

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 well being of our people. The role will be based in New Delhi and require 3-4 days working in the office in central Delhi.

There is no ‘typical’ work day for the Governance Adviser. The jobholder could have delivery deadlines varying from 30 minutes to a couple of months. This is an especially exciting time to join the British High Commission’s Political and Bilateral Affairs team with national elections taking place in India and the UK this year, and the UK India relationship increasingly important to UK policy makers. The reporting, analysis and programmes of the job holder and the wider team will become increasingly important and gain senior interest both locally and in London.

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

Technical competency requirements – the successful candidate will also complete accreditation to the FCDO’s governance cadre upon recruitment. This will be assessed against the FCDO Governance Technical Competency Framework. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate experience against these competencies in the written application, through a presentation at interview and additional questions at interview.

More information on the technical competencies can be found here: Governance Technical Competency Framework

The 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 across the British High Commission and with external partners.

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. Advanced analytical skills and experience working on political governance and government reform in India.

• 10+ years of experience in government, civil society, think tanks public policy or other relevant professions.
• Masters qualification in public policy, economics, politics or relevant work experience to demonstrate this level of analytical capabilities.
• Evidence of developing and leading projects, identifying opportunities for new partnerships, funding and bringing interested colleagues along.
• Evidence of a collaborative approach to work, providing thought mentorship and leadership to colleagues, and improving the skills of others.
• Strong communication skills: the role will require frequently writing concise and clear reports, giving presentations and oral briefings.

Key technical competencies for this role are:

• Applied Governance and Political Economy Analysis
• Accountable and Inclusive Politics
• Public Sector Governance and Service Delivery
• Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance