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 Political, Strategy and communications (PSC) Department works to support strengthened UK-India relations, including through the delivery of quality political analysis and advice to the UK government. 

This Policy Advisor role sits within the external affairs section of the PSC department, working directly to British diplomats, including the Political Counsellor and the British High Commissioner.  The role focuses on tracking, analysing and reporting on India’s approach to the Global South and mutlilateral institutions, providing relevant policy advice to support UK interests. Working on the Global South agenda will include a focus on tracking India’s relationship with Africa and Latin America, while working on multilateral issues will include analysis of India’s engagement with the United Nations, the Commonwealth, mutlialteral development banks and geographic blocs like BRICS. Given the breadth of this portfolio, the job holder will often need to work collaboratively with teams across the High Commission.

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?

The successful applicant will bring well developed research/analysis skills, together with a deep understanding and interest in India’s external engagement and the foreign policy environment the country operates in.

Reporting and Analysis: Regular written reporting on important foreign policy developments with a focus on the Global South and multilateralism, including their impact on UK interests. This will include producing regular reporting and analysis on inward/outward Indian ministerial visits, key government announcements, India’s response to global events, and India’s internal/external engagement.

Policy Advice: Gather information and research (including by attending regular relevant events and talks) to inform regular policy analysis and advice (focused on the Global South and Multilateralism) on how the UK can strengthen its objectives, in line with the UK-India 2030 Roadmap and Integrated Review Refresh.

Visits and Events: Support visits (programme preparation, appointments and logistics) for senior officials and ministers.  Support delivery of key engagements and events to help further the objectives of the British High Commission. 

Reporting Tracker: Hold the pen on a regular product that maps and flags the various reporting produced by the India Network, helping to support more joined up collaborative working across the High Comission and to inform colleague across UK Government. This will also include managing an internal reporting forward look and leading a series of ‘reporting 101’ workshops to upskill colleagues on reporting and analysis.

Team Player and Networking: Undertake regular, proactive contact building and networking with a range of stakeholders including: academics, Indian govenrment officials, influential thinkers and diplomats. Identifying contacts for teams across the High Commission.  Be a collaborative and supportive team player, and role model the British High Commission’s values, including respect.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

This position will not have line management responsibility.

Language requirements:

Language: English, Hindi 

Level of language required:  Proficient in reading and writing 

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

The British High Commission is committed to providing learning and development opportunities through courses and on-the-job training. There are no specific courses which need to be completed for this job.

Working patterns:

This is a full-time role, that may be suitable for compressed hours/ flexi-time working. 

Other skills / experience / qualifications:

The job holder will need to be proactive, organised, with sharp analytical and communication skills. The job holder would also have to be good at networking and building relationships.

 Essential on arrival:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. An ability to produce written work that is concise and timely together with an ability to deliver briefings in a confident and professional manner. The successful candidate should have a strong interest in foreign policy and government.
• 2-5 years of experience in related environment, eg government, embassy, journalism, international development, communication, public policy or other relevant professions. Alternatively, highly motivated recent graduates with relevant degrees in areas such as international relations, politics or development studies 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.