Economic Officer HEO - Pretoria, South Africa - Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Description

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. Job Category 1 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles) Job Subcategory 1 Economic and Prosperity Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 1

Main purpose of job:

This is an excellent opportunity to play a prominent role in the economic and political work of the British High Commission in South Africa. The jobholder will work alongside colleagues from across the office to help senior decision makers in the mission and the UK understand economic developments in South Africa, informing the UK's approach to economic diplomacy and development.

As well as ensuring British officials in South Africa and the UK understand the South African economy, the job holder will work closely with teams in the High Commission and London to ensure policy development and ministerial advice are informed by insights into the political economy of South Africa. As South Africa's G20 Presidency approaches, understanding the domestic factors influencing South Africa's international economic agenda will be critical.

The job holder will also support the Economic Advisor in delivering the British High Commission's economic reform programme. This includes projects with National Treasury and other parts of the Government of South Africa to deliver domestic economic reforms, and work with the Bank of England to promote financial stability.

Roles and responsibilities:

Proactively build and maintain a strong network of economic contacts in government, the private sector, academia and other stakeholders. Use this network to inform reporting and policy advice, and support visits by Ministers and officials from the UK to South Africa.

Deliver regular external events, using the High Commission's convening power to facilitate discussion and debate on live economic issues. Bring together key stakeholders following events such as the budget and MTBPS to gather a range of perspectives on political and economic developments.

Lead on rapid reporting of important and emerging developments in South Africa's economy, with quick analysis and commentary on economic data releases such as GDP, unemployment and interest rates. Alongside this, produce longer analytical pieces to inform wider work in the High Commission.

Provide written briefings and policy advice to a wide range of stakeholders in the UK government, based in both South Africa and the UK, ahead of visits by Ministers and senior officials and international meetings (for example G20, IMF spring meetings etc).

Support delivery of the Economic Reform programme, using project management skills to ensure effective delivery of Official Development Assistance through delivery partners. This will include the UK's support to SA-TIED and the International Economic Partnership.

Regularly present on South Africa's economy, including weekly briefings to the High Commissioner and wider team on South Africa's economic developments, monthly briefings to His Majesty's Treasury, and quarterly induction sessions for new joiners.

Proactively support other teams in the British High Commission in understanding economic developments and ensuring their work is informed by strong economic analysis.

Build and maintain strong links into the UK government, in particular in His Majesty's Treasury, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Bank of England.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

The job holder will have the opportunity to get involved with project management and delivery.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1

University degree or equivalent professional experience in political economy, economics or finance

Strong influencing, communicating and networking skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Ability to produce clear and concise reports for different types of audiences

Capability to think strategically; sound judgement and problem solving skills

Aptitude to analyse and process complex information quickly

Ability to work on multiple tasks under pressure and meet deadlines

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1

Previous experience (2+ years) working in an economics role

Required behaviours 1 Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together Application deadline 1 29 April 2024 Grade 1 Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Type of Position 1 Permanent Working hours per week hours Region 1 Africa Country/Territory 1 South Africa Location (City) 1 Pretoria Type of Post 1 British High Commission Number of vacancies 1 1 Salary 1 R 701, per annum) Start Date 1 1 July 2024 Other benefits and conditions of employment 1

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

The High Commission has an excellent personal development offer and the job would suit a self-starter keen to take advantage of this. They will have the opportunity to develop their skills in economic and political analysis and will get involved in other areas of work such as communications and events. The jobholder will also have access to the FCDO's learning platform Global Learning Opportunities. Other development opportunities could potentially include specialist training, responding to the development needs of the job holder.