View Vacancy - Community Liaison Officer (ROU21.472)

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 (Residence and Support Staff)
Community Liaison

The British Embassy in Bucharest is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a part-time Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to work closely with Deputy Head of Mission (DHM) for the well-being of all UK-based staff at Post, with primary function as advocate for and provision of support to UK-based staff and families (FCDO and PAGs) on family and community issues, principally in the areas of welfare and communication.  To help with the induction process for country based staff.

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Welfare at Post: welcome all HMG staff and their dependants on posting (including officers on temporary duty) to ensure smooth integration into the diplomatic and local community;  offering a grocery shop for new arrivals covering immediate 24 hour needs; follow-up to check that the settling in process is working; being a source of referral and support where questions, problems and difficulties arise; sign-posting career and training opportunities for qualifying dependents; and fulfilling other Welfare Officer responsibilities.  Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, provide practical and welfare support during hospitalisations and routine hospital visits as required and if desired; CLOs are not expected to be medically trained and have no medical responsibility. Provide support to newly arrived country based staff at the Embassy. The job-holder can expect COVID-19 to shape how the role can be delivered and the support required.  
  • Advocate for UK-based staff and families in addressing issues of importance with Post Management, including as their representative on Post Committees (primarily, the Monthly Management Board, the Health and Safety Committee), and as the chief link between Post and DSFA in London. COLA returns to be done yearly to ensure UK based staff is compensated accordingly for the additional cost of maintaining a standard of living comparable to the UK.
  • Communicate effectively on community and social matters across the three missions to UK based staff and their dependants, and receive notification of staff arrivals/departures. The CLO is expected to establish some form of communication with UK based staff and spouses/partners and establish a community and network in accordance with the FCDO social media policy.
  • Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, coordinate online or in person events for UK based staff and dependants to get to know one another and to build a sense of community. This includes but is not limited to: monthly group meet-ups, coffee mornings, COVID-19 restrictions permitting, Children’s Christmas party, Children’s Easter Egg hunt, one-to-one meetings at the Embassy or outside privately in homes, external Embassy events for UKB and CB staff (e.g. walking tours, museum visits, theatre performances).
  • Working closely with colleagues in the Corporate Services team, provide information on early years childcare issues, including options for privately-funded childcare for children under three years of age, schooling available at post for UKB staff, including visits to, and reports on, international schools in line with guidance from DSFA office.
  • Proficiency in English (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework* or equivalent);
  • A confident communicator;
  • Sympathetic and welcoming approach;
  • Confidentiality;
  • Organisation abilities and resource management;
  • Good customer service;
  • Proactive information gatherer;
  • Good networking abilities;
  • Strong interpersonal skills;
  • Personal qualities include empathy and emotional intelligence.
  • Knowledge of Romania or other previous expat life experience desirable. 
  • If an internal applicant, and already at post for 12 months+, a proven commitment to the community, and basic Romanian helpful.
3 November 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Part-Time, Permanent
22.5
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Romania
Bucharest
British Embassy
1
RON
43,420 (salary is not negotiable)
1 December 2021

This is a part-time permanent contract (20 hours net per week). Working hours are flexible and staff are entitled to time-off-in-lieu for agreed extra hours worked.

 

The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year pro rata and the Embassy also enjoys a maximum of 14 Romanian / UK public holidays per year.

 

Monthly salary is 3,340 RON gross. Whilst the Emergency Ordinance 79/2017 is in place the job holders who pay Romanian tax will receive a gross monthly compensation bonus of 668 RON. In addition, staff are entitled to a 13th month salary pro rata and may receive a performance related bonus at year end. Staff also receive meal vouchers and a monthly subscription to a medical centre. An individual personal development plan will be agreed with the successful candidate, which may include training outside Romania. The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance, and satisfactory completion of a probationary period of 90 working days.

 

All applicants should have a pre-existing legal status to live and work in Romania. The British Embassy does not facilitate/sponsor visa applications and work permits. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions service according to Romanian employment law.

 

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Romania and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

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.

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  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.

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.