MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:


The Senior International Relations Advisor is responsible for imparting in the Embassy, FCDO and its network a deep and sophisticated understanding of South Korean perspectives about regional and global politics/security, in particular on China, DPRK and Japan. This will entail: building, and helping colleagues to build, extensive links into policy-making and academic communities in South Korea and beyond; identifying, reading and analysing Korean-language articles, papers and debates on international issues; sharing the jobholder’s expert knowledge through written reports, and in-person/virtual masterclasses; and devising and managing projects with British and local partners to support British objectives in South Korea and the region. 



ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:


1. Foreign Affairs Expertise

The British Embassy Seoul is responsible for providing advice to the British government on managing its relationship with South Korea and analysis on South Korea’s role in the region and beyond. The jobholder is expected to be an expert on South Korean foreign/security affairs, able to provide insights on historic, current and future developments. In order to maintain expertise, the jobholder will be expected to read widely, follow contemporary debates, participate in academic/track two exchanges, and access regional material and experts for example on China’s role in the region (meaning that proficiency in eg Mandarin would be an advantage). This knowledge will need to be shared clearly and strategically with the Ambassador, Political Section, the wider embassy, visiting officials and delegations, other regional British Embassies (particularly in Beijing, Tokyo, Washington, Canberra, etc) and officials in London – either verbally or in writing, meaning that both oral and written communication in English is vital. The jobholder will find him/herself interacting directly with senior British politicians and officials.


2. Network building

For the Embassy to understand the drivers of South Korean policymaking and how to influence it, it needs to have working relationships with those who have privileged insights and the power to effect change. The jobholder will be expected to develop their own networks of people who can inform their own understanding and help us to deliver our objectives. Through these networks and knowledge of the political/academic landscape, the jobholder will also be expected to help the Ambassador, (Political) Counsellors and Second Secretaries, visiting officials and other colleagues to identify and build relationships with influential/insightful contacts across the political spectrum and on thematic areas such as human rights, cyber security and international development at all levels of seniority. This will entail travel outside of Seoul and possibly to other countries in the region.


3. Projects, events, visits

Each year the political section runs projects with local partners in support of its objectives. The jobholder will be expected to identify opportunities in the areas of foreign/security affairs, manage and deliver those projects on time and within budget. For example, projects could be geared towards deepening UK-ROK global cooperation, strengthening the rules based international order and adherence to British values. In addition, the jobholder will be expected to provide oversight, guidance and support to the rest of the Political Section in the delivery of projects geared towards its wider objectives and to represent the Political Section on the Embassy Project Board to make the case for his/her section’s projects, update on their delivery and provide evaluation. The jobholder will also play a key role in organising Political Section events and liaising with local partners to deliver high impact programmes for visiting officials and ministers.


4.  Developing others

As well as providing reactive insight and analysis on developments to those who need it, the jobholder will also be expected proactively to devise ways of systematically sharing a more general understanding of South Korean perspectives on international affairs with colleagues across our network of embassies in the region. This could involve running seminars, creating groups of colleagues who follow similar issues from different posts, briefing other sections in the Embassy and visitors, etc. There is a particular interest in understanding China’s role and approach in the region. 


5.  Wider Team Responsibilities

Over the course of 2023 there will be a significant change of personnel and responsibilities within the Political Section. It is expected that during this process, the jobholder will take on management of a Political Officer and responsibility for their development, performance and wellbeing. The transition will provide other new opportunities to take on more responsibility and the jobholder will also be expected to help cover gaps across the section and help new colleagues to settle into their roles.


RESOURCES MANAGED (staff and expenditure):

In the past, the Political Section has been responsible for around £50,000 per year of project funds, which the jobholder would oversee. By autumn 2023, the jobholder will manage 1 x Political Officer (EO)



Essential qualifications, skills and experience  


LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

Language: English and Korean

Level of language required: Fluent in spoken and written English and Korean

Mandarin – proficiency desirable


OTHER SKILLS / EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS:

Degree in social sciences and/or experience of working in politics/international affairs;

Expert understanding of Korean politics and international relations. 

Minimum 2 years’ experience of working in an office-based environment;

Ability to engage with senior colleagues and high level external stakeholders with credibility;

Project management and presentation skills;

Ability to work independently with limited supervision;



Full Job Specification:

ROK - Chief International Relations Advisor, HEO - FCO Local Posts (tal.net)