Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience segment and the behaviour-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’s Open Societies Adviser is a part of the Political and Bilateral Affairs (PBA) team, working directly to the Deputy Head of PBA and with British diplomats including the British High Commissioner.  The main purpose of the job holder will be to lead the UK’s support to the equalities agenda in India, identifying opportunities to celebrate our shared interest in issues as LGBT, disability or combating modern slavery. The job holder will organise and run events and campaigns to promote UK India collaboration in these areas, and have the opportunity to work on policy and programmes. The job holder will also work with colleagues across the British High Commission in Delhi and Deputy High Commissions to build understanding of these issues in India.

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:

This is a fast paced and varied role, which will allow the job holder to work across multiple policy areas, build a network of external contacts working on equalities issues in India, and organise and run external events.

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Soft power lead within the Political Strategy and Comms department: managing the calendar of soft power opportunities for the UK in India and working with communications colleagues to run events marking major international days, including Pride, major sporting events, and disability rights. Oversee a calendar of events throughout the year through which the UK can demonstrate its commitment to equalities and project managing the delivery of events.
2. Modern slavery policy and programming: prepare the modern slavery action plan and take forward recommendations.
3. Support to Open Societies agenda in India: work with the senior human rights and governance adviser to identify opportunities for developing further open societies policy and programming in India, building external contacts, undertaking ad hoc reporting, support to open societies programmes, working with political officers in Deputy High Commissions on the open societies agenda.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Subject to funding, support members of the Political and Bilateral Affairs team in the delivery of projects, including supporting managing programme budgets up to £100,000 in value, risk management, proposal and reporting reviews.

Language requirements:

Language: English and Hindi

Level of language required: The jobholder must have full professional fluency in English with good working knowledge of written and spoken Hindi. Knowledge of additional languages of India is also desirable. A written test in English will be included as part of the recruitment process. This will take approximately 30 minutes and will take place in parallel to the interview, for those candidates who reach that stage in the recruitment process.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides a strong learning and development package through the International Academy and its faculties. These take the form of courses, workshops and seminars by internal and external speakers. The jobholder will also be able to access a wide range of online and face-to-face training delivered for the UK Government in Britain and abroad. There will be opportunities to travel across India, supporting Deputy High Commissions, and learning about the broader work of PBA, including reporting on domestic politics.

Working patterns:

The British High Commission network across India is committed to providing flexible work patterns. The use of mobile ICT and the nature of the job means that the jobholder will be able to work different hours according to their personal circumstances. The High Commission is committed to ensuring employees enjoy a good work-life balance. It is a stimulating place to work where we value diversity and inclusion and care about the well being of our people.

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

There is no ‘typical’ work day for the Open Societies Adviser. The jobholder could have delivery deadlines varying from 30 minutes to a couple of days. This is an especially exciting time to join the British High Commission’s Political and Bilateral Affairs team with national elections taking place in India this year, and the UK India relationship increasingly important to UK policy makers. The reporting and project work of the job holder and the wider team will become increasingly important and gain senior interest both locally and in London.

Essential on arrival:

Excellent written and oral communication skills. An ability to produce written work that is concise and timely and can deliver briefings and presentations in a confident and professional manner. The successful candidate has a strong interest in the equalities agenda in India, Indian politics, public policy and government.

• 2-5 years of experience in government, civil society, Embassy, journalism, communication, public policy or other relevant professions.
• Or highly motivated  recent graduates with relevant degrees in areas such as politics, public policy, development studies or journalism can also apply.
• Accurate and quick English writing skills: the job involves producing a range of reports and emails for a UK government audience, often daily.
• Proven event management skills, including basic budgeting and programme management experience with the capacity to learn further on the job.