View Vacancy - Diaspora Engagement Manager HEO (13/22 ACC)
Main purpose of job:
BHC Accra is a large post, currently employing 40 members of staff from the UK and 200 Ghanaian members of staff from across 12 UK government departments, and is charged with delivering high impact and complex policy, programmes and campaigns on the full breadth of the Africa Strategy. All staff embody the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s approach to cross-departmental ways of working and the High Commission aims to be a highly-inclusive place to work, celebrating a workforce with both diversity of thought and background. To help achieve this the British High Commission takes a values-based approach to leadership and people management, and has a zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment. Our local values are Respect; Openness; and Honesty & Integrity. An understanding and commitment to inclusion and values-based leadership will be discussed during interview, and tested during a probationary period.
Ghana is a priority country for the UK and we are working across a wide array of development, diplomatic, environmental, security and other areas and linkages. Our people-to-people links are an essential tool in delivering shared objectives. The British-Ghanaian diaspora (approximately 100,000 strong and one of the UK’s largest) is a major soft power asset and is built on strong cultural and historical ties. Over the period of the next Country Plan, with a dedicated Strategic Partnerships and Diaspora Relations Team, we will continue to develop and strengthen diaspora links and UK partnerships, making best use of well established cultural tools such as: the British Council, the English Language, the BBC, sport, music and education. From the UK and UK Ministers, the British High Commission is seen as one of the leading embassies on diaspora policy, and your role will therefore have impact on global policy making (the team supported the Royal visit to Ghana in 2018, including on HRH the Prince of Wales’s speech which spoke to the historic impact of trans-Atlantic slavery).
The UK and Ghana are forging a partnership for the future. The most valuable parts to this are often our people-to-people links – over 100,000 Brit-Ghanaians in the UK.
The purpose of this job is to support investment in the UK-Ghana diaspora to underpin a strong future partnership. The successful candidate will lead the British High Commission’s (BHC’s) relationship day-to-day with the Ghanaian Diaspora and main Diaspora offices in Ghana. Together, the successful candidate will be expected to set a vision for their part of the future relationship, and use the resources of the BHC to deliver on it. You will be highly visible to the diaspora community.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Facilitate and manage the BHC’s relationship with the Diaspora, in all its forms: individual links, links with Diaspora organisations, and government to government policy links.
- Curate Diaspora engagement opportunities and seeking partnerships which align with BHC objectives
- Represent the BHC at Diaspora events across Ghana and the UK
- Assume responsibility of the BHC’s outward facing Diaspora office
- Build and deliver a highly visible and effective public communication strategy, which promotes the UK’s soft power with both Ghanaians and the Brit-Ghanaian diaspora. Use existing channels (such as @UKinGhana) and considering new ones.
Resources managed:
x1 administrative Staff
- Bachelor’s in Communications, International Relations or other relevant field of study.
- A minimum of 5 years’ office experience in a fast-paced working environment as a manager.
- Experience of working across the the UK-Ghana diaspora, there sub-groupings, and their needs.
- An understanding of Ghana Government’s Diaspora engagement policies and strategies.
- Event Planning experience.
- Dealing with logistics, administration and budgets.
- Excellent IT skills (including working knowledge of MS office packages (excel; word, PowerPoint etc);
- The ability to respond flexibly to competing demands, often at short notice;
- Discretion and confidentiality;
- Strong organisational skills and good attention to detail (events planning; guest lists).
- Ability to write accurate, professional English at speed, in formats including formal letters and minutes.
- Good team player with strong customer service skills, including with others with competing priorities.
- Ability to plan ahead, anticipate problems / clashes and proactively sort them out.
- Able to work under minimal supervision and deliver for senior-level individuals.
- Ability to build highly-effective relationships with external organisations.
- Local knowledge of Accra (to inform logistics) and Twi / Ga for working with local contacts.
Learning and development opportunities:
The British High Commission in Ghana takes learning and development seriously. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop many core and transferable skills through both formal and informal learning and development opportunities, including the full suite of HMG training courses and opportunities and the opportunity to work closely and shadow the High Commissioner. Members of staff are encouraged to make use of the learning and development opportunities that the office has to offer.
- All applicants must be legally able to work in Ghana with the correct visa/status or work permit.
- The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana.
- The British High Commission in Accra is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
- Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in Accra are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ghanaian employment law.
- Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
- Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
