The British High Commission (BHC) Accra has a vacancy for a Political Officer. This is a high-profile leadership position within the BHC, requiring the job-holder to engage across a wide spectrum of political and other networks in Ghana.

The job-holder will provide day-to-day analysis of internal political developments in Ghana. To do this, the job-holder will need to liaise pro-actively with key contacts at all levels in Government, political parties, chieftaincies and other relevant groups, and undertake this work within the context of the objectives set for the UK/Ghana bilateral relationship by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The job-holder will need to be as confident operating outside of Accra as in the capital.

The main elements of the job include

•    Monitoring and reporting internal politics in Ghana
•    Supporting inward and outward visits, and supporting BHC staff visits to Ghana’s regions
•    Providing support to the BHC, DFID Ghana and British Council’s work on democracy, governance, accountability, anti-corruption and conflict prevention, identifying opportunities for collective UK Government effort
•    Supporting the BHC’s Communications Officer on the UK Government’s engagement with the Ghana government’s publicity machinery
•    Identifying and managing projects to build the capacity of Ghana’s political and electoral system

The successful applicant will need to

•    Observe the FCO’s diversity and equality policies

Information for applicants

•    This position is within the LEII range of responsibilities. The monthly gross starting salary range for LEII positions in the BHC is GHc 1885. Salary rises in GHc 73 in increments based on performance, to a maximum of GHc 2907.
•    The appointment will be offered for three years. The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period.
•    Specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided for the successful candidate.

Qualification Required & Experience

The skills/attributes of the successful applicant will include

•    Prioritising in a fast-paced work environment, working largely unsupervised and delivering to deadlines
•    Keen knowledge and understanding of the current and past Ghana political and electoral systems, including analysis of trends, influencers and key stakeholders for the UK’s engagement; knowledge of the traditional chieftaincy system
•    Communication and influencing skills, including excellent drafting and proof-reading
•    Ability to maintain high-level contacts with BHC staff and Ghanaian opinion leaders
The successful applicant is likely to have (one or more of)
•    A university degree in political studies, journalism, the liberal arts, social sciences or a related field
•    Received specialised training in the machinery of government
•    Work-place experience of  progressively increasing responsibility as a political analyst
•    Expert knowledge of Ghana’s political, economic, media, social and educational environments, including key institutions and persons in business and government
•    Familiarity with UK Government institutions
•    Strong IT skills using Microsoft software

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Candidates should complete an application form which can be obtained from this link:  http://ukinghana.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/our-high-commission/working-for-us/ and send their CVs and completed application form for the attention of

HR Manager?

British High Commission

Osu Link, off Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue?

P O Box 296 Accra
with the envelope clearly marked LEII PO or to this email address:

Jobs.BHCAccra@fco.gov.uk

Closing Date: 05 March 2013

 Regrettably only those candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted in March, with a view to the successful applicant commencing work in April 2013. The successful applicant will need to demonstrate that they meet the necessary requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana, and to pass (or have passed) a BHC internal security clearance process.

The British High Commission Accra is an Equal Opportunities Employer?More information about the work of the British High Commission in Ghana can be found at http://ukinghana.fco.gov.uk/en/