Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission Colombo is looking for an enthusiastic self-starter for an important and exciting Economics and Prosperity Officer role.
The main focus of the role is understanding and reporting on Sri Lanka’s economic context, notably its IMF programme and progress on economic reform. 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.

You will work alongside the wider Economics and Prosperity network to maximise opportunities, including colleagues from geographical and programme departments in London and other UK government teams in the South Asia region. 

You will be joining an evolving Economics and Prosperity Team, which also covers Climate, Health, and Science and Innovation, working in an inclusive and supportive High Commission environment. You will work closely with the Head of Team to help define the team’s ongoing priorities, particularly on economic reporting and engagement. At times, you will work with other colleagues in the team, to research and support projects and programmes to help achieve wider Prosperity objectives. This will require flexibility in approach to tackle a range of challenges and opportunities.

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.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

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

Economic reporting 
Provide analysis on implications for UK government objectives of major economic developments in Sri Lanka. Engage with geographical and programme departments in London, other economists in the FCDO and key government departments (e.g. HM Treasury) to identify areas/topics for economic reporting and collaboration on regional issues.

Political Economy
Maintain a wide network of contacts with economic institutions to develop an in-depth understanding of the economic situation in Sri Lanka, including the links between politics, good governance, and economic development. Alongside other government departments, use knowledge to help inform HMG policy, producing regular reporting and analysis on economic issues.

Commercial Diplomacy 
Through economic reporting, help support the Trade team to identify potential areas of growth, risks, and challenges for UK businesses.

Policy
Respond to emerging priorities from the UK Government and, with the Head Team and other team members, work out how the High Commission should respond.

Projects
Work with the Head of Team and other team members to research the potential for prosperity project work and support the design and development of centrally funded programmes to ensure projects are aligned with UK Government priorities and are value for money.

Press and Public Affairs (Communications) 
Maximise public diplomacy opportunities by working closely with the Communications team to draft press releases; speeches; intranet articles etc. Deal with correspondence on economic issues. 

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.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 
This position does not currently have line management responsibilities. There are currently no devolved programme or project funds.

Language requirements: 
Necessary Language: English and Sinhala and/or Tamil
Level of language required: Fluent spoken and written English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent), Sinhala (advanced-intermediate) essential and/or Tamil (advanced-intermediate) with working level Sinhala

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
British High Commission Colombo allows working from home twice a week subject to line manager approval.

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Applicants must have residency authorisation for Sri Lanka in order to apply. The British High Commission can support a work permit application only. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks

Essential on arrival:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics or related subject
• 3 years of relevant work experience;
• Proven ability to interpret economic data/concepts and communicate implications to stakeholders of different backgrounds;
• An understanding of Sri Lankan history, culture and politics; good research and analytical skills
• Excellent spoken and written English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) and Sinhala (advanced-intermediate) and/or Tamil (advanced-intermediate) with working level Sinhala
• Good interpersonal and people skills
• A self-starter, able to work with minimum supervision
• Proficiency in office computer applications, particularly Word and Excel
• Flexible, resilient under pressure and decisive with a proven track record of delivering results
• Personal drive and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team