View Vacancy – IQB – Political Officer (EO)

The British Embassy Baghdad has a vacancy for Political Officer, job grade Executive Officer (EO), on a permanent contract. 

This Political Officer role is a key part of the British Embassy’s Political Team, and the role holder will act as a source of advice to the Political Team and the Ambassador. The role holder will have lead responsibility for analysing internal political issues on certain areas. 

This is a dynamic and fast-paced role that will be very rewarding for the right candidate. The role holder will need to have an up-to-date knowledge of the intricacies of Iraqi politics, have existing networks across the political spectrum and a proven ability to deliver timely well-informed political analysis. The role holder will also have the ability to further develop extensive contact networks. They will need to be proactive and able to use their initiative and judgement, take a collaborative approach to the team’s work, but will also need to be a self-starter, capable of working on their own and owning issues. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Analyse, monitor and advise on the political situation in Iraq, providing reporting and analysis to colleagues to help develop policy. Provide in depth analysis of internal political groupings and parties
• Build and maintain relationships with a broad range of contacts to inform reporting.
• Contribute to policy planning at post, working with the team particularly for business planning and related reviews.
• Engage with a range of stakeholders including government and political groups.
• Support delivery of a programme of visits for senior staff, including VIP visits.
• Support political team in meetings with Iraqi counterpart.
• Provide ad hoc policy support to colleagues in Political Section and across the Embassy, for example on visits and liaising and interpreting.
• There may be some opportunities for travel in the country in this role.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the line manager and Senior Management. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as and when required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required:

• Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• Making Effective Decisions: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• Changing and Improving: Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
• Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Developing Self and Others: Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.

Eligibility: 

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as: 

• We can obtain the appropriate level of local and UK security clearance for you; and
• You have (or be willing to obtain) the right to live and work in Iraq. Candidate’s residence permit and work permit, and the expense to obtain them, will be their own responsibility – the Embassy does not provide residence or work permits. If you have any questions about residency and/ or visa requirements, you should contact the relevant Iraqi Government Ministry.

• Politically astute with an excellent understanding of the Iraqi political and media landscape.
• Excellent political analysis skills and ability to express ideas concisely in writing and orally to a diverse audience.
• Ability to build on existing network and maintain a wide range of political and other contacts to support UK objectives in Iraq.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills; confidence in dealing with teams across the Embassy, in the UK and government officials at all levels.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• IT literate and well versed in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).