FCDO: Political Officer, British Embassy Oslo (NOR25.249) – Oslo

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JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – Political Officer, British Embassy Oslo (NOR25.249)

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category
 

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory
 

Chancery

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
 

Our new Political Officer will provide support to the political team, across a range of areas as defined by the country business plan, personal objectives set at the start of each financial year, and as directed by HMA, DHM or Head of Section. The jobholder will work closely and flexibly within the four-person political team and will report to both C4 leads and collaborate with the other A2 officer.  This role will focus more heavily on internal Norwegian politics and domestic policy aspects of the bilateral relationship, but this will flex depending on team priorities.

You will be part of the Embassy”s Internal Political Team and will reports to the Head of Internal Political. The position will be line managed by the Head of Internal Political and countersigned by the Head of External Political or Deputy Head of Mission.

The role involves internal-facing work (desk-based research and reporting) as well as some external-facing elements (such as building a wide network of political contacts and attending seminars and other events). A flexible working pattern is encouraged, and the position may involve some travel. The jobholder may sometimes provide cover for other members of the Political Section, such as the Press and Public Affairs Officer or the Ambassador’s Personal Assistant during periods of absence.

What will you be expected to achieve?

Political reporting and analysis (50%): Monitor government, civil society, and media sources to analyse and report on policy developments related to the Norway-UK bilateral relationship, Norwegian politics and other specific policy areas including but not limited to fisheries, education, health, maritime and justice and home affairs. Liaise with embassy colleagues and policy leads in London to understand HMG’s strategic priorities and policy positions. Build knowledge about internal politics and Norway’s relationship with the EU institutions to provide advice and support in written reports and oral briefings for Embassy staff and UK officials.

Breakdown of duties:

  • Conduct desk research on Norwegian policy positions and initiatives.  Monitor Norwegian Government websites and media sources for developments and insights and produce translations not available in English when these will add value.
  • In consultation with senior Embassy staff, draft briefing and responses to requests from UK officials based on information gathered from a variety of sources.
  • Gather, review and prepare information to help explain and promote the UK’s objectives, policies and initiatives.

Stakeholder engagement (30%):  Be aware of and when required able to explain/promote HMG’s strategic priorities and policies to Norwegian interlocutors. Contribute to team stakeholder monitoring, analysis and engagement planning to improve impact of Embassy outreach. Generate and develop your own network of contacts from a variety of areas.

Breakdown of duties:

  • Monitor Norwegian stakeholders and influential figures, including in the parliament, press and on social media, to identify issues, trends and opportunities.  Produce translations of articles not available in English where these would add value to the work of Embassy colleagues or UK officials.
  • Attend meetings and external events to learn about Norwegian positions.  Record findings, share insights with senior embassy staff, and contribute to stakeholder engagement planning across the Chancery.
  • Work with the Press and Public Affairs Officer to draft articles, presentations, website and social media content.

Visits and events (15%): Support the planning and organising of visits to Norway by UK ministers and officials in order to advance HMG’s objectives.

Breakdown of duties:

  • Work with Embassy staff and UK officials to develop programmes for ministerial and official level visitors.
  • Accompany visitors on relevant elements of programmes, providing support as necessary.
  • Prepare briefing materials for incoming visitors, liaising closely with relevant Whitehall departments and embassy colleagues.
  • Manage logistics, transport and accommodation

Wider Embassy activity (5%): Participate in wider corporate activity and positively contribute to the overall wellbeing and staff morale in the Embassy.

Breakdown of duties:

  • Contribute to the work of Embassy-wide committees
  • If required, provide support to wider Embassy activity, projects and protocol tasks, potentially including but not exclusively e.g. organisation of events and workshops; covering the absence of the Ambassador’s PA / Press and Public Affairs Officer; and drafting of Note Verbales.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience
 

Essential on arrival:

  • Fluency in Norwegian and English (both oral and written);
  • Interest and understanding of Norwegian domestic and international political affairs;
  • A flexible attitude and ability to switch easily between policy dossiers;
  • Proven ability to prioritise, handle multiple tasks and respond quickly to changing circumstances;
  • Ability to work under pressure;
  • Confidence to proactively build and engage a useful network of contacts.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
 

Desirable:  

  • Experience of working in an international context and/or relevant experience in a political role;
  • An understanding of UK culture and a desire and interest in learning more about UK politics.

Required behaviours
 

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline
 

24 August 2025

Grade
 

Administrative Officer (AO)

Type of Position
 

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week
 

35 hours/week

Region
 

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory
 

Norway

Location (City)
 

Oslo

Type of Post
 

British Embassy

Number of vacancies
 

1

Salary Currency
 

NOK

Salary
 

Gross NOK 596,472.00

Type of Salary
 

yearly

Start Date
 

1 October 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment
 

This is a full-time permanent position, five working days (currently 35 hours net) per week.

We offer:

  • An annual salary NOK 596,472 (gross);
  • A strong focus on learning and development, minimum 5 days year of formal training; We have learning and development high on the agenda.
  • The opportunity to work in an international environment, gain the skills, knowledge and expertise required to operate effectively as a Political Officer;
  • 35-hour working week with a focus on work-life balance, with the potential for some homeworking and flexible working hours;
  • Up to 30 days annual, leave a year, after 5-year employment;
  • 14 Public holidays per year.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance and the successful completion of a probationary period.

Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy Oslo are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with Norwegian employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Norway and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Additional information
 

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

Please be advised that the FCDO will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements


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