View Vacancy – Political and Prosperity Officer EO (02/24 ANT)

Roles and responsibilities:

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a small, dynamic, high performing team working in an evolving regional network of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.  The successful candidate will work closely with the British Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros, and across the Embassy team.  They will be a critical part of the UK government’s front-line work, developing and managing their network of contacts to help the British Embassy build relationships that positively influence UK-Madagascar and UK-Comoros relations.

This will include being responsible for managing and developing professional networks of internal and external political and economic and trade adviser stakeholders in order to provide regular, timely analysis and briefing to support the delivery of the Embassy’s Business Plan on political affairs, human rights, and trade & prosperity. 

In addition, the successful candidate will provide regular support to the Embassy’s external communications lead, some programme management support and ad hoc cover to the Personal Assistant to the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission, as and when required.

Main roles and objectives include: 

• Political and Human Rights: provide the Ambassador, the Deputy Head of Mission and the Head of Political Affairs with relevant ‘in real time’ political advice, and to support FCDO colleagues in London and in the region with the insight and background necessary to enable the successful design and implementation UK government policies, projects and programmes in Madagascar and Comoros.
• Build up a network of key contacts across government, civil society as well as diplomatic and development partners to be able to provide regular, quality reports and analysis to the Embassy team and to colleagues elsewhere in the FCDO and across UK government on politics, democratic and macroeconomic stability, as well as human rights developments as they affect UK interests and Development priorities.
• Help to set up, attend and report on political meetings and visits.
• Trade and Economic:  support the Embassy’s economic and commercial work by strengthening our network of contacts within the government systems of Madagascar and Comoros, the private sector and civil society.
• Ensure the Embassy benefits from regional/UK trade, investment and economic programmes and expertise.
• Ensure timely and accurate research and reporting on local economic developments and the business environment, as they affect UK objectives on building resilient and sustainable economies.
• Monitor/support delivery of the UK-ESA Economic Partnership Agreement and the UK Trade Partnership.
• Remain abreast of the portfolio of the British International Investment (BII) and provide local context/advice on new sectors of interest.
• Liaise with the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) regional team to increase UK companies’ access to business opportunities and provide support and advice to UK companies wishing to enter markets in Madagascar.
• Assist UK companies and investors, including by facilitating contacts with the government, economic development board, and private sector organisations.
• External Communications: actively assist the Communications lead at the British Embassy to deliver a range of external communications activities, which includes initiatives like the Chevening programme.

The jobholder will need to have strong policy skills and sound judgement as well as research, communication and organisation skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

The jobholder should be a good team player in what is a small Embassy team by contributing to the delivery of UK objectives and supporting wider Embassy operations and corporate objectives.  Prioritisation skills will be key, as well as being versatile, adaptable and open to new learning and development opportunities.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

None