View Vacancy - Visits Officer, British Embassy Washington

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic person to join the FCDO as the Visits Officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, supporting work at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally. 

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences. 
This is a chance to directly contribute to the way in which both Governments collaborate and negotiate on  The Visits Officer is one of two employees supporting the Senior Visits Officer in organizing all visits to Washington by British Government Ministers, Parliamentary Committees, former Prime Ministers, Members of the Royal Family, and senior officials.  The position offers unique exposure to UK and US Government leaders and procedures.

The work of the Visits Section spans the broad spectrum of the Embassy’s activity. The Visits Section is part of the Ambassador’s Executive Office and the Ambassador takes a keen interest in the work of the Visits Section.

The successful candidate must be very organized, detail-oriented, personable, and able to work under his/her own initiative. Additionally, the successful candidate must be a strong team player with excellent problem solving and judgement with a minimum of 2 years' relevant experience in a busy office environment is required. A previous role in meeting and event planning, logistics and / or executive assistance is preferred. Previous experience dealing with VIPs is highly desirable. The ideal candidate would have some knowledge of the British civil service, British culture and protocol, and US Administration.

Roles and responsibilities:

•    Take responsibility for all aspects of the organisation of individual visits to include scheduling meetings, arranging transportation and accommodation, coordinating security clearances and more.
•    Accompany some visitors, meet some visitors on arrival, and see some visitors off on departure (this involves occasional work in the evenings or weekends).
•    Maintain useful contacts among hotels, airlines, transport companies and other vendors.
•    Arrange security clearances for visiting Protection Officers, diplomatic overflight clearances, and port clearances for VIPs.
•    Produce and maintain the Visits Section databases (e.g., statistical reports, clearance details).
•    Arrange payment of invoices.
•    Provide administrative support to the Senior Visits Officer, including filing electronic and paper visits documents.
•    Cover for the Senior Visits Officer and other team members during their vacation leave.
•    Perform other duties as assigned.

Working patterns:

Requires standard working pattern of 40 hours plus some overtime.

We are able to accommodate a varied working pattern. 

This role is 40 hours a week, 9:00AM to 5:00PM plus some weekends and evenings  

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent

Essential on arrival: 

•    A minimum of 2 years' relevant experience in a busy office environment is required. A previous role in meeting and event planning, logistics and / or executive assistance is preferred.
•   The successful candidate must be very organized, detail-oriented, personable, and able to work under his/her own initiative. Additionally, the successful candidate must be a strong team player with excellent problem solving and judgement.

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.