Political affairs officer
Description
Political affairs officers analyse developments in foreign politics and other policy matters, monitor conflicts and consult on mediation measures, as well as other developmental strategies. They write reports to ensure communication with governmental bodies, and develop policies and implementation methods.
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to political affairs officer:
prime minister adviser
lobbyist
political aide
advocacy and political affairs officer
campaigner
political campaign officer
president adviser
political-military affairs officer
political advisor
political consultant
senior political affairs officer
Minimum qualifications
Master’s degree is generally required to work as political affairs officer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.
ISCO skill level
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Political affairs officer is a Skill level 4 occupation.
Political affairs officer career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to political affairs officer.
diplomat
foreign affairs officer
ambassador
embassy counsellor
international relations officer
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of political affairs officer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of political affairs officer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of political affairs officer.
Foreign affairs policy development: The development processes of foreign affairs policies, such as relevant research methods, relevant legislation, and foreign affairs operations.
Foreign affairs: The operations of a foreign affairs department in a government or public organisation and its regulations.
Government policy implementation: The procedures related to the application of government policies at all levels of public administration.
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of political affairs officer.
Advise on risk management: Provide advice on risk management policies and prevention strategies and their implementation, being aware of different kinds of risks to a specific organisation.
Analyse foreign affairs policies: Analyse the existing policies for the handling of foreign affairs within a government or public organisation in order to evaluate them and search for improvements.
Monitor political conflicts: Monitor the possibility and development of political conflicts in specific contexts, such as in or between political parties, governments, or between different countries, as well as identifying its potential impact on government operations, and public safety.
Advise on conflict management: Advise private or public organisations on monitoring possible conflict risk and development, and on conflict resolution methods specific to the identified conflicts.
Write situation reports: Write reports according to specifications and regulations of an organisation on the situation which needs to be reported on, such as the status of an investigation, of intelligence gathering, or of missions and operations.
Advise on legislative acts: Advise officials in a legislature on the propositioning of new bills and the consideration of items of legislation.
Advise on foreign affairs policies: Advise governments or other public organisations on the development and implementation of foreign affairs policies.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of political affairs officer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Diplomatic principles: The practices of facilitating agreements or international treaties with other countries by conducting negotiations and attempting to protect the interests of the home government, as well as facilitating compromise.
International law: The binding rules and regulations in the relations between states and nations, and legal systems dealing with countries rather than private citizens.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of political affairs officer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Apply conflict management: Take ownership of the handling of all complaints and disputes showing empathy and understanding to achieve resolution. To be fully aware of all Social Responsibility protocols and procedures, and to be able to deal with a problem gambling situation in a professional manner with maturity and empathy.
Observe new developments in foreign countries: Observe political, economic and societal developments in the assigned country, gather and report relevant information to the relevant institution.
Maintain relationships with government agencies: Establish and maintain cordial working relationships with peers in different governmental agencies.
Show intercultural awareness: Show sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to promote integration in a community.
Handle conflicts: Mediate in conflicts and tense situations by acting between parties, such as service users, important others like families, and institutions, striving to effect an agreement, reconciliate, and resolve problems.
Develop international cooperation strategies: Develop plans which ensure a cooperation between international public organisations such as researching different international organisations and their goals and assessing possible alignment with other organisations.
Identify security threats: Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.
Ensure cross-department cooperation: Guarantee communication and cooperation with all the entities and teams in a given organisation, according to the company strategy.
Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
Assess risk factors: Determine the influence of economical, political and cultural risk factors and additional issues.
Assess danger in risk areas: Assess the potential dangers involved in performinig military or humanitarian missions in risk areas, such as combat areas, areas affected by natural disasters, or politically tense areas.
Maintain operational communications: Maintain communications between different departments of an organisation, between the staff, or during specific operations or missions, to ensure that the operation or mission is successful, or that the organisation functions smoothly.
Analyse potential threats against national security: Analyse the possibilities of potential threats and actions taken against national security in order to develop preventive measures and aid with the development of military tactics and operations.
Perform political negotiation: Perform debate and argumentative dialogue in a political context, using negotiation techniques specific to political contexts in order to obtain the desired goal, ensure compromise, and maintain cooperative relations.
ISCO group and title
2422 – Policy administration professionals
References
- Political affairs officer – ESCO