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.
The British Embassy in Berne is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Economic Policy Analyst.
The role of the Economic Policy Analyst is to monitor, analyse and report on key political and economic developments in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. We are offering you the opportunity to be part of a friendly working environment, where you can show initiative and take responsibility for your own projects while learning about the world of diplomacy and economic policy.
The jobholder will:
- Develop, maintain and utilise a network of federal administration contacts, industry and academic economists, business associations, thinktanks and Embassy colleagues to deliver a range of regular policy and economic reporting for UK stakeholders;
- Provide economic and trade flow analysis directly for His Majesty’s Ambassador;
- Support the Head of Prosperity in coordinating the Embassy’s delivery of HMG’s Growth Mission.
- Provide ad hoc economic analysis as requested by HM Government;
- Organise events including internal training and external workshops with industry.
- Provide support in arranging high-level meetings for visiting UK Government Ministers and Senior Officials.
The job-holder will work directly to the Head of Prosperity, but can also expect to collaborate with teams across the embassy including Trade Policy, Internal Politics and Foreign and Security Policy among others.
Roles and responsibilities:
- ECONOMIC/POLICY (55%): Analyse and regularly report to the Head of Prosperity on the Swiss economy, following developments in the domestic economy, trends in market sectors, and Swiss foreign economic policy; provide analysis and insight to support UK understanding of these developments. Develop and maintain a strong network of policy and economic contacts to support this insight, in Government, academia, thinktanks, NGOS, multilateral organisations and in the private sector. Respond to lobbying requests on these topics and and coordinate high-quality briefing and advice within given deadlines.
- GROWTH MISSON (10%): Support the Head of Prosperity with horizon scanning through analysis and consultation with Embassy Trade/Investment colleagues, and external stakeholders, identifying future opportunities to strengthen UK-Swiss economic links. Deliver projects and programmes designed to forward Growth Mission objectives.
- CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY (10%): Support bilateral engagement on energy related topics, including exchanges between UK and Swiss officials, reporting on developments relating to Swiss-EU electricity agreement and maintaining relationships with key energy stakeholders in Switzerland. Support UK climate objectives, particularly reporting and lobbying ahead of Conference of Parties meetings. Anaylse and report on domestic developments relating to climate policy, agriculture, biodiversity and land-use.
- WIDER POLICY (10%): Support the wider policy work of Embassy political team, analysing and regularly reporting on Swiss internal policy covering finance, economic security and trade within both a domestic and international context (including through the prism of both the Swiss and UK relationships with the EU, US and other partners); Respond to lobbying requests on these topics and provide high-quality briefing and advice within given deadlines;
- VISITS/TEAM SUPPORT: (10%) Support ministerial and senior policy official delegations in order to help deliver the Embassy’s Prosperity Strategy (including logistical support and planning as required), particularly developing strong policy objectives for the visits. Support the Ambassador in key engagements, including visits to different Swiss cantons. Provide flexible support to the wider team, for example providing cover in the absence of the Political Analyst, or providing support for wider Embassy work on public diplomacy and visits.
- COMMUNICATIONS (5%): You will work closely with comms teams and relevant teams across UK Government.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
- Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework* or equivalent);
- Full professional proficiency in German (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework* or equivalent);
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Strong research and analytical skills;
- Knowledge of Swiss politics and economy;
- Team player with excellent interpersonal skills;
- Ability to flex style and adapt to last minute changes of direction;
- Ability to work alone and sometimes without all available information;
- Resilience and ability to cope with a high pressured environment.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
- Degree in Economics (or related);
- Experience working in international affairs or government;
- Reading and listening proficiency in French (at a B1 level, or above).
Required behaviours
Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
Application deadline: 30 July 2025
Grade: Administrative Officer (AO)
Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week: 40
Salary: CHF 7,685
Type of Salary: monthly
Start Date: 15 September 2025
Other benefits and conditions of employment:
This is a full-time and permanent contract of 40 hours per week inclusive of four compulsory 45-minute lunch breaks. There is a 3-month probationary period, during which either party may bring the agreement to an end, in writing with 7 days’ notice.
Embassy opening hours are 0730 – 1830 hrs (Monday – Thursday) and 0730 – 1330 hrs (Friday).
Gross monthly salary is CHF 7,685. The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year, increasing to 30 days over 5 years, and the Embassy also enjoys 13 Swiss/ UK public holidays per year.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearances before a contract is offered.
FCDO is committed to continual learning and development. The Embassy will provide funding in line with L&D requirements and a variety of learning and development is provided throughout the year both directly at post and virtually through the FCDO International Academy. There will be opportunities to attend training, lectures etc. on the job.
Visa/work permit requirements: The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation for Switzerland in order to apply. All applicants should have the right to live and work in Switzerland.
Equal employment:
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. FCDO want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.
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.
The British Diplomatic Missions 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 regarding the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, 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.