Political Officer

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 1

**Main purpose of job**:
The British High Commission Colombo is looking for an enthusiastic self-starter for an important and exciting Political Officer role.

The main focus of the role is to provide reporting and analysis of developments in Sri Lanka with a focus on the local dynamics in the North and East, minority politics, and freedom of religion and belief.

You will provide advice to the High Commission on implications for the UK and how the UK government should respond. This will involve engagement with government bodies, organising events, and maintaining contacts with UK and Sri Lankan institutions.

The role will provide access to senior decision-makers in the UK and Sri Lankan Governments, and will require high levels of autonomy, fluency in English and quality decision-making.

**Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?**

**Provide political reporting and analysis on developments in Sri Lanka with evidence based reporting, and an analytical approach**:

- Monitoring the situation in the north and east, including political developments in Tamil and other minority political parties.
- Leading on policy advice and reporting on Tamil and Muslim party politics and wider minority ethno-religious communities
- Provide informed analysis and advice on North-East security issues, extremism, conflict-related human rights and key developments in the region
- Building and maintaining relationships with a broad range of contacts to inform reporting.
- Writing regular balanced reports to inform policy development.
- Providing in depth analysis of issues such as conflict related human rights, Freedom of Religion and Belief and other developments impacting Tamil and Muslim communities.

**Support effective delivery of UK objectives on accountability, reconciliation, and human rights by**:

- Engaging with a range of stakeholders including government, political groups, civil society, NGOs, and local community.
- Tracking and analysing developments on truth, reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.
- Provide advice on design and delivery of effective projects and programmes that address these areas.
- Planning and delivering successful visits including for senior visitors to the North and East while also providing adequate briefing and post-visit reporting.

**Provide Tamil Language Support**:

- Providing support with interpretation when accompanying the High Commissioner, senior visitors and members of the political team to the north and east.

**Other**:

- Ad-hoc briefings, meetings, and projects, depending on London and High Commission priorities. All staff working at the High Commission are expected to take on broader corporate objectives that help create an inclusive and effectively run working environment.

**Language requirements**:
Necessary Language: English and Tamil. Sinhala Desirable

Level of language required: Fluent spoken and written English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent), Tamil (advanced)

**Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed)**:
The British High Commission provides access to appropriate training, learning and development to meet development needs. A range of formal and informal learning and development opportunities will be available locally and regionally/locally, including via remote learning.

**Working patterns**:
The position is full time, 40 hours per week, as per the timings listed below, which includes a daily 1 hour lunch break:
08.00 -16.30 hours Mondays to Thursday

08.00 -14.00 on Fridays

**Any other information (or specific local Post requirements)**:
Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1

**Essential**:

- Excellent command of written and spoken English and Tamil (this will be tested at interview).
- A thorough understanding of Sri Lankan history, culture and politics.
- An established network of contacts in Sri Lanka, particularly in the North and East.
- Confidence to express ideas clearly and concisely.
- Personal drive and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Flexibility and resilience under pressure.
- A minimum of 3 years of proven relevant professional experience.
- A university degree or professional qualification in a relevant field.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1

**Desirable qualifications, skills and experience**:

- Experience of working in an international context, with diplomatic missions, civil society or multilateral institutions.
- Experience working on human rights, accountability and social cohesion.
- Programme management experience.
- Sinhala language.
- Required behaviours 1- Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together Application deadline 1
- 25 February 2024

Grade 1
- Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position 1