Job summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK�s role in the world.
We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.
This is an exciting specialist role working on an area of great strategic importance to the UK.� Research Analysts are subject matter experts in the FCDO and belong to the cross-government intelligence analysis profession. Our core function is to inform and improve HMG decision-making through providing timely analysis, policy challenge and acting as a bridge between policy makers and experts outside of government.
The Asia Pacific Research Group (APRG) is a geographic-focused Research Group with analysts covering countries such as China, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand. �APRG plays an important role in strengthening Indo-Pacific expertise.
The Research Analysts are a friendly, welcoming and inclusive team that invests in the development of its staff.� We recognise that great minds do not all think alike and that diverse perspectives are essential to the role we play in improving FCDO�s decision-making.� We have embraced hybrid working and welcome applications from candidates with flexible working needs and candidates who are disabled, neuro-divergent, or have a chronic illness or mental or physical health condition.
Salary
London based � The total package for this SEO role is �51,500 per annum(non-negotiable). This figure includes a non-pensionable, non-consolidated Location Allowance of �5,000 and a pensionable, non-consolidated Specialist Allowance of �4000 pro rata.
Milton Keynes based � The total package for this SEO role is �48,250 per annum (non-negotiable). This figure includes a non-pensionable, non-consolidated Location Allowance of �1,750 and a pensionable, non-consolidated Specialist Allowance of �4000 pro rata.
Glasgow based � The total package for this SEO role is �46,500 per annum (non-negotiable). This figure includes a pensionable, non-consolidated Specialist Allowance of �4000 pro rata.
Job description
The successful applicant will be an expert on Southeast Asia. �In particular, on the political systems of Indonesia and Malaysia and of the political dynamics in maritime southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN). �You will contribute to, and inform, the development of UK policy towards Southeast Asia, as well as the UK�s wider relationship with the Indo-Pacific region. �You will be expected to provide timely and informed specialist advice and analysis on regional politics to inform policy-making and help deepen understanding of the region within the FCDO and across government. This job provides an excellent opportunity to become one of government�s leading experts on Asia and to deploy those skills in a front-line capacity.
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In this role you will also be responsible for:
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1. Political analysis (60%) To develop and maintain close working relations with FCDO policy makers, principally in South East Asia and Pacific Directorate, and with other government customers. Working with other members of APRG and the wider Research Analyst Cadre, where necessary, you will provide policy leads with high quality specialist analysis and advice based on your deep working knowledge of the relevant political systems.
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2. Outreach and academic engagement (20%) To develop, consolidate and act as a bridge between the FCDO and the community of external experts, in particular academics, think-tanks and expert commentators. You will be expected to use your growing networks to help organise in-house seminars, expert roundtables and policy-challenge sessions.
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3. Diplomatic Expertise (20%) To contribute to FCDO�s ambition to transform the organisation by infusing staff with even greater subject matter expertise, equipping them with the right knowledge and skills to be flexible, world-class diplomats. You will do this by running our International Academy events and training days.� You will continue to develop your own specialist expertise on the region and related issues and will contribute towards maintaining and developing APRG�s archive of material.
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There will be the opportunity to travel in the region for the purpose of research, outreach and sometimes in order to support colleagues overseas. �There will also be opportunity to support government led exchanges with allies. �This will be subject to discussion with line managers.
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The FCDO values foreign language skills and these are beneficial to research analyst roles. There will be an opportunity to learn or further develop relevant languages (Indonesian and/or Malay) through the FCDO language provider.
Person specification
You must be a British Citizen at the time of application and, if invited to interview, you will need to bring proof of identity (British Passport/Driving Licence etc.) with you.
This role requires you to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.
For more information about this process,. Attaining DV will require you to have been resident in the UK for five of the last ten years. At least one year of this must have been a consecutive twelve-month period. Serving overseas with HM Forces, in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty�s Government or having lived overseas as a result of your parents� or partner�s Government employment counts as UK residency for the purposes of security clearances.
It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following Minimum Criteria and Behaviours as far as you are able to do so. �These responses will be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview.�
Minimum Criteria
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4. A relevant post-graduate degree, for example Southeast Asian Studies, plus experience working on or in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, in a multilateral organisation, a non-governmental or private sector organisation, think-tank or academic institution. OR A relevant undergraduate degree plus substantial experience working on or in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
5. Expertise on the domestic politics of Indonesia and/or maritime Southeast Asia.
6. Proven research and analytical skills; sound judgement; and the ability to think strategically.
7. The ability to master large amounts of information quickly and to tight deadlines whilst drawing sound, accurate and salient conclusions.
8. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Qualifications
To be eligible for this role, you must be able to respond 'yes' to having one of the following:
A relevant post-graduate degree, for example Southeast Asian Studies, plus experience working on or in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, in a multilateral organisation, a non-governmental or private sector organisation, think-tank or academic institution.
OR A relevant undergraduate degree plus substantial experience working on or in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
9. Making Effective Decisions
10. Communicating and Influencing
11. Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
12. Making Effective Decisions
13. Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
14. Motivation question
15. Your Technical skills will be tested through a Presentation and specialist questions on Southeast Asian politics. The Presentation topic will be given to you 15 minutes before your Interview
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �46,500, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes �12,555 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. � A Civil Service Pension.
� 25 days Annual Leave per annum.
� 9 days Public and Privilege holidays per annum.
� Learning and Development tailored to your role.
See the attached candidate pack.