L’Ambassade du Royaume-Uni recrute pour ce poste (24 Avril 2023)

Main purpose of job :

The British Embassy in Niamey is part of a worldwide network representing British political, economic, development and consular interests overseas. The UK has been present in Niger since 2005, when we first opened an office in Niamey. In September 2020, the new British Embassy welcomed its first resident Ambassador and we are currently in the process of establishing a new Embassy building. Our aim is for the UK to become an energetic presence in the region, working together with the European Union, United Nations, International Financial Institutions and other partners to help support Niger’s development and stability.

Supporting Nigeriens through development and humanitarian policy and programmes is at the centre of the UK’s mission in Niger. We support a wide range of humanitarian and development programmes directly and indirectly through our funding of multilateral institutions, including the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and the African Development Bank. Through our direct and indirect support, the UK invests approximately £80m each year in Niger.

The UK’s development and humanitarian work in the Sahel is managed by a team spread across London, our regional hub in Dakar and embassies in Niger, Mali, Chad and Mauritania. The Niger Development team sit within the Embassy in Niamey and play a critical role by representing the UK in Niger on all development and humanitarian issues, advising on policy and programming priorities, and monitoring and evaluating existing programmes. The team is currently made up of a Development Counsellor and Deputy Development Counsellor.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of development and humanitarian issues at a time when needs have never been greater in Niger. You will have the opportunity to influence the UK’s priorities in Niger, providing vital input on the local context to inform the UK’s decisions and strategic engagement in the region. You can expect to work closely with the Development Counsellor, the Ambassador and wider embassy team, as well as with UN agencies, international financial institutions, NGOs, and the international community. You will also be required to build effective relationships with the Nigerien government and civil society.

Roles and responsibilities :

Policy and Strategy – Providing contextual and political-economy analysis to inform the UK government’s policy on development and humanitarian assistance in Niger, and helping to deliver the UK government’s strategic approach to the Sahel. Leading on specific thematic priorities, such as girls’ education and sexual and reproductive health.

Development Programme – Mapping and maximising the impact of the UK aid funding in Niger, ensuring value for money and coherence in UK programming. Working with the Development Counsellor to undertake monitoring of implementing partner activity and escalating contextual and financial risks to UK programme and policy leads. Use local knowledge and information to provide constructive feedback on existing and future UK programmes, including but not limited to humanitarian aid, adaptive social protection and stabilisation.

Communications – ensuring maximum visibility and impact from UK aid spending and supporting soft power, including raising the profile of UK Aid in Niger amongst national and international partners through communications activities (social media, organisation of Embassy events).  Building effective relationships and influencing key stakeholders on specific issues, especially the host government and multilateral partners, in line with UK priorities. Organisation of relevant visitor programmes.

Deputising for the Development Counsellor – the postholder will at times be required to step in for the Development Counsellor, leading on UK development priorities in Niger and representing the UK at diplomatic meetings and events. Cover work will require working closely with our technical advisers in Dakar and London to develop and further policy in-country. Fluency in English is therefore necessary. You will be expected to contribute to the Embassy’s operation and resources, for example: support recruitment of new staff; and crisis management work.

Wider embassy support – As a full member of the embassy team, the postholder will also make a wider contribution to making the British Embassy Niamey a friendly and supportive environment to work in. Where necessary, the post holder must be ready to support any other embassy business (e.g. emergency consular, political or corporate work) as required.

• Strong oral and written communication skills in French.  Strong oral and written communication skills in English, or a willingness and ability to improve rapidly
• Self-reliance and high levels of personal resilience: you will be part of a small UK team in Niger
• Strong critical thinking skills – an ability to think independently, critically analyse information (including numerical information) and draw out conclusions
• An ability to think strategically and synthesise large volumes of information to create a coherent narrative of the situation on the ground
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work at pace on multiple priorities at the same time, taking the initiative where required
• Familiarity with development and/or humanitarian trends and issues and how these relate to Niger and the Sahel
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and unsupervised, and as part of a wider team
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject
• Strong work ethic and flexibility to work in a small and busy Embassy office
• Solid interpersonal skills to undertake representational work and engage high profile stakeholders internally and externally

Language requirements : 

Language: English and French

Level of language required: French (fluent or extensive)

English (extensive)

Knowledge of local languages is desirable and not essential.

• Some Development and/or humanitarian expertise and experience: through national or international NGOs, development agencies etc.
• Experience of working with the international community in Niger or the Sahel, including the UN, INGO, IFIs and international financial institutions

Learning and development opportunities :

In addition to on-the-job learning, there is a wealth of Learning and Development (L&D) opportunities (on-line and in person) available to help staff pursue their professional development.  The successful applicant will be required to undertake a number of mandatory trainings and will have access to a range of L&D opportunities both in-house and overseas.

We offer induction and on-going training, for the right candidate.

Working patterns :

Working hours are from 08:00 – 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 08:00 – 12:30 on Fridays

• The starting monthly salary is fixed at XOF 1,389,263 gross per month  including 20% guaranteed allowances (non-taxable) as well as payment of a 13th month salary and potential non-consolidated performance bonuses.
• The Embassy deducts the income tax and CNSS contribution at source and pay them on behalf of the employee. These are calculated according to the provisions set by the Niger CNSS and Tax Inspectorate.
• The British Embassy will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
• Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy in Niamey are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Niger.
• Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
• Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
• Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
• Please note: Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.