The British High Commission in Yaoundé represents the British Government in Cameroon. We are recruiting within our political team, for the position of Policy and Projects Officer. This role is at the core of the BHC’s diplomatic and development activity: you will support our cooperation with stakeholders in country, including the Cameroonian government, and help deliver UK project and political objectives . The focus of this role is on Cameroon but thematic areas of focus  may also require you to work on Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The successful candidate will be assigned  thematic areas of focus, which will benefit from a solid understanding of political and development issues in Cameroon and the wider region. These areas of focus may change but at the present time these are envisaged to include the Commonwealth, the Far North, and development cooperation. You will also support the organisation and planning for visits, project and public diplomacy events. You will work alongside experienced UK  diplomats and high quality local staff experts in political engagement and analysis. You will work closely with the Development Counsellor, Second Secretary – political, the  Senior Political and Programmes Manager, and the Head of Communications. Your work will be visible to the High Commissioner and his deputy, as well as, of course, to the Cameroonian Government, its citizens, and to other embassies.

Roles and responsibilities:

The main roles and responsibilities of the position are as follows, although the jobholder may at times be required to take on other tasks.  All percentages are indicative and may change.

Project Delivery: 30%

• Manage projects with devolved budgets related to UK government priorities. These may include thematic topics such as climate change, gender equality and open societies or areas of geographical focus such as the Far North.
• Use a range of programme and project management tools to monitor progress, track impact and value for money.
• Where appropriate, work with local and international partners to identify and develop new projects and to secure appropriate funding.
• Policy analysis: 30%
• Engage on substantive policy issues as assigned within the BHC team. These are likely to include, the Far North region, humanitarian and development work, and engagement on Commonwealth matters with member states covered from the BHC (Cameroon and Gabon).
• Respond to centrally managed policy and programmatic engagement needs, from across the UK government on areas within the portfolio,  likely to include stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation.

Reporting and communications: 20%

• Provide relevant and timely reporting and analysis of areas within the portfolio.
• Identify and build on opportunity for enhanced interaction between UK and Cameroon officials and NGO and business communities.
• Support high quality external engagement related to your thematic areas of focus, through social and traditional media.

Events management: 10%

• Plan, prepare and deliver events related to your areas of focus, including those held at the BHC, High Commissioner’s Residence and at outside locations.

Other support across the BHC: 10%

• Experience in roles covering policy and/or project delivery
• A passion for diplomatic and development work
• Evidence of communication skills and effective working in a team environment
• Ability to work effectively without close supervision; good attention to detail
• Good understanding of the local civil society landscape in Cameroon;
• Excellent written and spoken English and French (this will be tested at interview)
• Fully IT literate