View Vacancy - Head of Diaspora Relations and Strategic Partnerships (G7) (14/22 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) are a major asset and a cornerstone to our strong cultural and historical ties. And the UK’s brand in Ghana – brought to bear through strategic British partners such as British Airways, the British Council, the FA, Harrods, Jaguar Land Rover, the Royal Family, and many many more – deepens our cultural ties further.

Over the period of our 2022-2025 strategy, 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 incumbent 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 purpose of this job is to lead and drive this work, and this is a Board-level role. The successful candidate will ‘own’ the British High Commission’s (BHC’s) relationship with the diaspora and diaspora institutions and help to coordinate the main tools of the UK’s cultural power. You will establish a new public-facing British-Ghana Diaspora Office – the first of its type in the world. You will assume ownership of the ‘tourism portfolio’ including the relationship with the ministry and relevant UK partnerships and agencies. You will build and enhance our strategic partnerships with organisations such as the British Museum, or iconic British brands like Burberry. You will lead our work in a diverse range of thematic areas, including the UK’s historical colonial legacy and tech and UK-Ghana tech partnerships. Policy issues such as the historic trans-Atlantic slave trade, reparations, and returns of artefacts will be yours to lead, working closely with London. And relationships and partnerships between the British Museum, V&A, Clarence House, Ghana Museum’s Board, and other major cultural institutions will be yours to forge.

Working to the Deputy High Commission and sitting on our Senior Board, you will be bring to the High Commission an understanding of the UK-Ghana diaspora and their needs, and shape UK policy at the highest levels. And you will have a visible outward role communicating relevant British foreign policy to the UK-Ghana diaspora and Government of Ghana institutions, through an extensive and effective network of contacts. From the outset, you will be highly credible to the British-Ghanaian diaspora.

Roles and responsibilities:

• As a board member, you will have influence across the High Commission, and so will bring a clear understanding of leadership, leading change, and collective decision making. Your role and responsibilities will fall across several areas:
• Lead the Diaspora and Strategic Partnerships (soft power) team, building capability and capacity in one of the most exciting and public facing portfolios in the High Commission.
• Establish a new public-facing British-Ghana Diaspora Office from the British High Commission – the first of its type in the world. You will make the BHC accessible to the diaspora – perhaps physically – and with it build our common understanding.
• Forge relationships with strategic partners such as the British Museum, or iconic British brands like Burberry. Working with policy teams, knowing when to deploy these brands and influence in line with our 2022-2025 strategy.
• Own the BHC’s strategic relationship with British brands, such as the British Council, the BBC, UK universities, Chevening scholarships, British sporting, clothing and food brands, etc. Build an understanding of their strategic objectives and communicate our own, and build opportunities for working together.
• Represent the  Diaspora and Strategic Partnerships Team at senior levels, including engagement with external partners, HQ, regionally and in the British High Commission’s Board.   A particular focus will be on engaging with the Govt of Ghana Beyond the Return Initiative, including senior figures in the Presidency.  The post holder will also be able to maintain positive and active relations with other diplomatic missions, including the US, and with senior diaspora figures and major UK institutions (eg. Clarence House, the British Museum and others).
• Build upon the BHC’s relationship with the British-Ghanaian Diaspora and improve policy links.
• Understand, analyse, and resolve barriers to the UK’s influence overseas – such as opinion on the visa system – using direct and indirect communication strategies.
• Drive cross-cutting engagement on strategic partnerships and diaspora across other policy areas and with other teams in the British High Commission, such as trade, defence, and development.  The post holder will lead on Strategic Partnerships (“soft power”) and Diaspora strategic thinking and report accordingly to the senior level Board.
• Build and deliver a highly visible and effective public communication strategy, which promotes the UK with both Ghanaians and the Brit-Ghanaian diaspora. Use existing channels (such as @UKinGhana) and considering new ones.
• Other things will come up, and the incumbent will need to be responsive and discreet when the High Commissioner or Deputy turns to them for advice or support.

Resources managed:

• Management the team and associated budget, including for events and conferences.
• Manage one Diaspora Engagement Manager, a Strategic Partnerships Lead, and two administrative staff.
• Work closely with the Events and Residence Staff, and the High Commissioner’s outer office.

• From the outset, you will be highly credible to the British-Ghanaian diaspora.
• Proven flexibility and versatility – being comfortable with changing policy priorities.
• Self-starter – this is a new policy area that will need strong leadership and vision.
• Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Project Management or other relevant field of study.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience office experience in a fast-paced working environment.
• Board-level leadership experience.
• Proven experience of creating and driving partnerships between British institutes and their Ghanaian counterparts.
• Proven track-record of designing and managing large creative events and visits and high-level stakeholder management.
• Excellent people management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other African posts to create a Diaspora engagement strategy which can be implemented across the region.
• Able to work flexibly, managing competing demands and under minimal supervision.
• Strong organisational skills and good attention to detail (events planning; guest lists).
• Good team player with strong customer service skills who is able to operate at senior levels.
• Ability to plan ahead and anticipate problems, as well as being able to respond to urgent demands.
• Ability to build highly effective relationships with external organisations. 
• Demonstrates discretion and respect for confidentiality.
• Ability to deliver difficult messages to groups and audiences.