Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political
The British Embassy Libya has a vacancy for the position of Political Officer grade B3 (L).
Main Purpose of the Job:
Building and maintaining strong working relationships with key Libyan contacts in security and counter-terrorism (CT) to support the delivery of the United Kingdom strategic CT objectives in Libya, and to provide high-quality analysis and reporting to improve UK understanding of security dynamics in Libya.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The UK Government is expanding its CT and Counter-Extremism (CE) network overseas, following a Strategic Defence and Security Review, which re-emphasised the importance of The UK’s CT work internationally. This new position is part of the global Counter Terrorism and Extremism Network (CTEN). You will help deliver UK strategic objectives working with a range of colleagues from different UK Government departments, and work closely with key Libyan CT and security contacts.
The key objectives for the post are to:
• Strengthen and maintain a network of high-level CT and security actors. Use network to produce regular, high quality reporting on areas of UK interest, with a particular focus on CT and support regular engagement with these actors by UK personnel.
• Support UK based residents and visitors to the platform in Tripoli, including seniors and representatives from different UK departments, in conducting impactful CT meeting programmes in Tripoli. Use network to guide and organise programmes which manage visitor expectations, achieve their objectives and satisfy the embassy management team. This will include providing interpretation in meetings, and translation of written material form Arabic to English and
• Advise senior staff on Libyan CT issues, working closely with colleagues to ensure that our engagements with Libyan contacts are conducted at the highest standards, promises are honoured, agreed subjects are followed up and goals achieved.
Candidates for this position should demonstrate strong capability in:
• Policy advice. The successful candidate will need to be comfortable advising senior UK government officials, including the Ambassador, on CT and security policy. They will also need to be comfortable liaising with the highest levels of the Libyan government.
• Collaborating with others. The UK presence in Libya is split across multiple offices in Benghazi, Tripoli, and also Tunis. The successful candidate will be a strong team player with effective communication skills who is comfortable working with colleagues in an open and collegiate manner, including across a split platform. While primarily focussed on CT the jobholder will also work closely with colleagues across migration, defence and criminal justice, supporting their activity where required.
• Problem solving. Candidates will need to exercise sound judgement and consider innovative solutions to problems as they arise. They will also need to identify potential future risks and opportunities, and take mitigating action to prevent issues from developing.
• Influencing others. The jobholder will need to leverage this network of contacts to deliver results against UK Government CT strategies, and to use their influencing and strategic thinking skills to increase political cooperation on CT issues. They will need to track developments within the complex Libyan CT system, and think imaginatively about ways to pursue CT interests, while preserving wider equities such as security sector reform.
• Resilience. With an unpredictable security situation, significant senior UK interest and a small platform, requirements can change rapidly. Senior visits can be called or cancelled, and meetings rescheduled late in the day. The job holder will need to demonstrate adaptability and resilience to meet these changing requirements, managing relationships and putting together effective programmes with little notice.
Key Competencies:
• Seeing the Big Picture – This is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.
• Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
• Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.
• Demonstrating Resilience - This is about helping our people to build resilience in international roles, supporting their ability to adapt to working in difficult and varied international environments and to bounce back from crises and setbacks in these contexts.
• Fluent in English and Arabic both written and oral
• Detailed knowledge of the Libyan security context
• A thorough understanding of the Libyan government and key security actors operating in Libya
• Strong written communication skills in English and familiarity with report writing on security issues
• Strong networking skills
• An existing network of senior contacts within the Libyan security sector would be an advantage
• Experience of working with the international community
Seeing the Big Picture, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace, Demonstrating Resilience
10 February 2019
B3 (L)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Middle East & North Africa
Libya
Tripoli
British Embassy
1
LYD 2,371
1 April 2019
Working Hours and Remuneration:
Conditioned working hours are 40 hours gross per week. Standard working hours are from 08:00 am to 16:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday. A flexible working pattern may be possible by agreement with the line manager but it would be dependent on business requirements. The Embassy offers a starting salary of LYD 2,371. This is full-time, permanent contract.
The Embassy is committed to ensuring that you are able to maintain a suitable work-life balance.
Eligibility:
The successful candidate must have the right to live and work in Libya and will need to be cleared for security purposes by the UK Government.
Application Process:
Interested candidates must attach the following documents when applying online.
1. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. A completely filled out online application form. Kindly ensure that concrete examples of each competence will be provided on the application summary section of the form.
3. A covering letter stating why you feel you have the necessary skills and competences to apply for the role.
**Your application must include examples in your cover letter of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above. Applications that do not include this information will be rejected.
Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 10 February 2019. Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Due to the large amount of job applications, the Embassy receives, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.
The start date mentioned is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
The British Embassy Tripoli is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to exclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
