The British Embassy in Baghdad is looking for an experienced Economic Policy Officer, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), to join our Development Team.

The Development Team is the part of the British Embassy that provides core analysis and ideas to inform the UK’s development and economic work in Iraq. The UK’s objective in Baghdad is to help strengthen Iraq’s security, stability, and economic sustainability, and tackle the underlying drivers of conflict.

This is a key role within the Embassy and will put the jobholder at the heart of decision making. As Economic Policy Officer, you will focus on economic and financial issues in Iraq, developing a strong network of Iraqi and international contacts, providing in-depth knowledge, and reporting, and supporting the delivery of our development programmes (focused on economic reform). 

Duties and responsibilities:

This role will support the British Embassy’s work in Iraq by

– Monitoring, reporting, and analysis

• Closely follow economic and financial issues in Iraq, working independently to provide fast, insightful, and concise analysis. Understand the Iraqi political environment and how this impacts economic reform.
• Provide regular oral and written reports to update the UK Embassy and Ambassador, as well as teams in London, on key issues in relation to the economy. This will include fiscal and monetary policy; economic reform implementation including new legislation and policies; and public-private sector dialogue (working with the UK’s trade team where relevant).
• Work closely with the British Consulate General Erbil to oversee economic issues in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).

– Networking

• Engage, form, and manage relationships with relevant ministries and actors (including the Finance, Planning, Health and Migration and Displacement Ministries, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Central Bank of Iraq, the World Bank and IMF, the Iraq Fund for Development, key private sector organisations, civil society organisations working on private sector development, and other international Embassies) to complement and build on existing embassy relationships and making introductions, enabling the UK to better understand economic policy and activity.
• Recommend and arrange meetings for the team, including the Ambassador. Provide briefings ahead of meetings and provide translation and economic advice during meetings.

– Policy development

• Contribute to the development of UK policy and programming to support Iraq’s economy, including support to the Iraq Economic Contact Group, the UK’s Iraq Catalytic Economic Diversification (ICED) programme (budget £1.25mil in the financial year 2024-2025) and any economic aspects of the UK’s Integrated Security Fund (ISF) programme (budget tbc) by providing political/ economic advice; spotting risks and opportunities; and working with Iraqi and UK stakeholders.

– Ad hoc tasks

• Help organise visits to the UK for Iraqi stakeholders and visits to Iraq by UK officials. Draft notes verbales (NVs) when needed, using appropriate economic technical terms.
• Provide cover for the wider team when they are away from Baghdad, including for the
• Support the wider Development Team as required, in particular support around NVs and stakeholders on issues of peace and stability.

– Corporate

• Support wider Embassy activities, such as the Chevening programme, major events (i.e., King’s Birthday Party), and promoting Wellbeing or Diversity & Inclusion within the Embassy.

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. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other 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.
• Seeing the Big Picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• 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.
• Leadership – Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.

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.

• Strong understanding of Iraq’s economic situation, ideally with relevant professional experience in a similar role for at least two (2) years.
• Able to understand UK objectives and prioritise their workload accordingly.
• Good judgement in assessing solutions to problems where issues are complex or conflicting, weighing up several factors to produce and communicate constructive ideas and solutions, and proposing solutions ahead of issues becoming problems.
• Excellent team-working, communication, and networking skills with both Iraqi and international stakeholders, including working effectively across the Embassy. Ability to drive delivery of outcomes and overcome obstacles, especially when working with and through others.
• Confident in translating between English and Arabic, both in meetings and in writing.
• Fluent English and Arabic language skills. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, Able to simplify complexities and adapt communication so others can understand.
• Ability to work independently and to take the initiative to work in fast-paced, high-profile environment, deliver to deadlines, and work well as part of a larger team to deliver results.
• Holds at least a bachelors’ degree.
• Strong IT/ computer skills and in using MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).