View Vacancy - Community Liaison Officer for Istanbul (TUR19.423)

The British Consulate General in Istanbul is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Community Liaison Officer (CLO).

The Community Liaison Officer acts as a bridge between staff assigned to the Consulate-General from the UK, their families and the Consulate-General’s Corporate Services Team. The CLO is a key point of contact and support for staff and families before, during and after their move to Istanbul, including the process of identifying suitable housing. The CLO also works closely with Corporate Services Team on a range of issues.

In more detail, main responsibilities will include:

Welcome and arrival

• Answer any queries from staff and their spouses/partners who are considering bidding for the post;
• Contact staff and families prior to arrival and send relevant information;
• Liaise with the accommodation officer in the identification and allocation of housing, representing the families’ interest;
• Maintain, distribute and collect the crockery and bedding float;
• Final check of accommodation and provide groceries for first 24 hours;
• Keep Welcome Pack updated;
• Take all newcomers on tour of city (shops, medical, educational and recreational facilities etc);
• Ensure newcomers are introduced to the Community.

Morale

• Provide a confidential listening ear/ advise on appropriate referral;
• Provide on-going support and follow-up;
• Give support in cases of sickness/ bereavement;
• Lead or coordinate community events, eg Christmas and Easter childrens’ parties and social events to introduce newcomers to one another.

Medical and Welfare

• Liaise with Corporate Services Unit/FCO Medical & Welfare team on any relevant medical matters;
• Keep abreast of personnel policy developments and disseminate information.

Housing

• Act as Secretary to the Post Housing Committee;
• Visit all new properties as part of the housing identification and selection process.

Charity Committee

• Chair the Post Charity Committee;
• Assess requests to hold charitable events.

Education

• Send prospectuses of schools used by Post, annually to DSFA;
• Visits to key personnel in schools and nurseries;
• Accompany families on school visits and support/advise families in school selection procedure.

Employment

• Maintain guide on spouse/partner employment opportunities copied to DSFA.

Liaison with DSFA

• Submit DSFA Annual Return by November each year;
• Provide regular up-to-date information for the DSFA country boxes;
• Arrange DSFA meetings/lunches.

Communication

• Liaise with other missions’ CLOs;
• Produce regular Turkey network newsletter in liaison with CLO, British Embassy, Ankara;
• Liaise and network with local groups/organisations.

Additional tasks

• Coordinate regular briefing meetings for partners/spouses with DCG, Corporate Services and Overseas Security Manager;
• Keep an updated list of Children at Post;
• Be aware of post contingency and evacuation plans – act as Welfare Officer in the Post Crisis Management Plan;
• Plan and coordinate recreational events;
• Send regular updates to London, including the regular Cost of Living Allowance Surveys;
• Attend Post Security Committee meetings;
• Hold regular update meetings with Deputy Consul General.

• Fluency in English (both oral and written);
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work with people from any background;
• Have strong communications skills, both in writing and orally;
• Have a good understanding of the issues faced by staff moving to live overseas;
• Have good organisational and delivery skills;
• Be able to handle personal information confidentially and with discretion;
• Be able to work flexibly without close supervision;
• Be familiar with living in Istanbul.