View Vacancy - Executive Assistant to the British High Commissioner, Grade- AO, Colombo

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

"Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

Main purpose of job:

The role of the Executive Assistant is to support the British High Commissioner by providing office management and administrative support, managing the diary and logistics for events, meetings and visits. The Executive Assistant is a key interface with external contacts and staff. 

The Executive Assistant will be a confident, motivated and collaborative individual who can work independently in a high-profile, fast-paced environment. Good interpersonal skills, calmness under pressure, flexibility and attention to detail are required at all times. Integrity and discretion are essential.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Office management: respond to telephone and email enquiries, welcome visitors, liaise with colleagues to organise meetings, manage IT/stationery, ensure expenditure is paid promptly and recorded.
  • Diary management: organise the High Commissioner’s official and social programme, make appointments and travel arrangements, set up meetings and respond to invitations. Ad hoc diary support to Deputy High Commissioner.
  • Coordinate official visit programmes, booking travel, accommodation and appointments.
  • Manage the High Commissioner’s correspondence by promptly and professionally dealing with incoming and outgoing correspondence and drafting replies.
  • Support events hosted by the High Commissioner by working with the Residence Manager and Communications team. Manage databases and co-ordinate invitations.
  • Co-ordinate timely briefings on issues for the High Commissioner.
  • Occasional minute-taking for meetings.
  • Corporate contribution to wider British High Commission activity, including crisis response.
  • The job holder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. Some out of hours working may be required.

Essential on arrival: 

  • At least 2-4 years relevant professional EA/Secretarial experience.
  • Good organisational and problem solving skills and high attention to detail.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills as well as active listening skills, with the ability to cultivate and maintain a range of contacts at all levels.
  • A team player who is capable of working on their initiative and who is adaptable to changing Must be able to work and act without close supervision.
  • IT literate, well versed in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and sound typing skills.
  • Confidence to work and establish effective relationships with contacts and colleagues at many levels.

Language requirements:

Language: English, Sinhala and/or Tamil.

Level of language required: Fluent (spoken & written) – English IELTS 7.0 or equivalent.

Desirable:      

A knowledge of UK and Sri Lankan affairs and the workings of the UK and Sri Lankan governments.

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
30 April 2023
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
40
24 months
South Asia & Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Colombo
British High Commission
1
LKR
LKR 99,228 + EPF 12% + ETF 3% per month per month. The current equivalent USD salary paid (at fixed corporate exchange rate from March 2022) is USD 490.00 per month.
1 June 2023

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply. 

For other than BHC candidates, starting salary will be LKR 99,228 + EPF 12% + ETF 3% per month per month. The current equivalent USD salary paid (at fixed corporate exchange rate from March 2022) is USD 490.00 per month. Other benefits include 13 month’s salary (pro-rated) and medical insurance coverage.

'Please note that the current salaries are being dollarized and processed in USD (pegged to a fixed corporate exchange rate from March 2022) to provide cushion against the current external market conditions. This is a temporary measure and is subject to review at regular intervals. The payroll will revert to local currency processing once the external market conditions are normalised.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. 

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system.  The High Commission takes pride in its organisational culture and its strong and diverse team. We offer leave entitlements as per Sri Lankan labour laws.  

We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

Please note that applications will only be considered with (a) and (b):

(a)  Complete the Online Application Form

(b)  Complete the Motivation Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable). They should also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications received by ­­midnight on 30th April 2023 (Sri Lanka Standard Time).  

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines of the British High Commission. 

  • Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with. However, the status will be updated on the recruitment software which will be viewed by the applicant.
  • The appointment will be subject to police and other checks including references, educational and professional. 
  • We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed.

NOTE:

  • The British High Commission in Colombo is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
  • Staff recruited locally by The British High Commission in Colombo is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
  • The successful candidate will be subject to reference checking and security clearances checks.
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.

This opportunity is closed to applications.