Job vacancy: Political and Projects Officer (10/23 YAO) – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organizational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Job Category 1
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory 1
Political
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 1
The British High Commission in Yaoundé represents the British Government in Cameroon. We are recruiting within our political team, for the position of Policy and Projects Officer. This role is at the core of the BHC’s diplomatic and development activity: you will support our cooperation with stakeholders in country, including the Cameroonian government, and help deliver UK project and political objectives. The focus of this role is on Cameroon but thematic areas of focus may also require you to work on Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The successful candidate will be assigned thematic areas of focus, which will benefit from a solid understanding of political and development issues in Cameroon and the wider region. These areas of focus may change but at the present time these are envisaged to include the Commonwealth, the Far North, and development cooperation. You will also support the organization and planning for visits, project and public diplomacy events. You will work alongside experienced UK diplomats and high quality local staff experts in political engagement and analysis. You will work closely with the Development Counselor, Second Secretary – political, the Senior Political and Programs Manager, and the Head of Communications. Your work will be visible to the High Commissioner and his deputy, as well as, of course, to the Cameroonian Government, its citizens, and to other embassies.

Roles and responsibilities:

The main roles and responsibilities of the position are as follows, although the jobholder may at times be required to take on other tasks. All percentages are indicative and may change.

Project Delivery: 30%

Manage projects with devolved budgets related to UK government priorities. These may include thematic topics such as climate change, gender equality and open societies or areas of geographical focus such as the Far North.
Use a range of program and project management tools to monitor progress, track impact and value for money.
Where appropriate, work with local and international partners to identify and develop new projects and to secure appropriate funding.
Policy analysis: 30%
Engage on substantive policy issues as assigned within the BHC team. These are likely to include, the Far North region, humanitarian and development work, and engagement on Commonwealth matters with member states covered from the BHC (Cameroon and Gabon).
Respond to centrally managed policy and programmatic engagement needs, from across the UK government on areas within the portfolio, likely to include stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation.
Reporting and communications: 20%

Provide relevant and timely reporting and analysis of areas within the portfolio.
Identify and build on opportunity for enhanced interaction between UK and Cameroon officials and NGO and business communities.
Support high quality external engagement related to your thematic areas of focus, through social and traditional media.
Events management: 10%

Plan, prepare and deliver events related to your areas of focus, including those held at the BHC, High Commissioner’s Residence and at outside locations.
Other support across the BHC: 10%

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1
Experience in roles covering policy and/or project delivery
A passion for diplomacy and development work
Evidence of communication skills and effective working in a team environment
Ability to work effectively without close supervision ; good attention to detail
Good understanding of the local civil society landscape in Cameroon;
Excellent written and spoken English and French (this will be tested at interview)
Fully IT literate
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1
Diploma in project management or similar
Experience in managing budgets and organizing events;
Experience working in a diplomatic setting or international organization;
Thematic experience on climate change would be of benefit
Higher education diploma in a social science, law, business or similar.
Required behaviors 1
Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
Application deadline 1
1 February 2024
Grade 1
Administrative Officer (AO)
Type of Position 1
Temporary
Working hours per week 1
36
Region 1
Africa
Country/Territory 1
Cameroon
Location (City) 1
Yaounde
Type of Post 1
British High Commission
Number of vacations 1
1
Salary 1
XAF 612,859 per month
Start Date 1
14 February 2024
End Date 1
13 September 2024

Additional information 1
Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to:
The British High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at:

https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/?f_Item_Opportunity_15695_lk=1370