View Vacancy - Personal Assistant to the Defence Attaché and Business Manager for Defence Section

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.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
MOD (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Section at the British Embassy in Cairo has a vacancy for a Personal Assistant to the Defence Attaché and Business Manager, job grade Executive Officer (EO).

The successful candidate will assist the Defence Attaché, and will manage the Defence Section’s administration and filing, and support to Defence training delivery.

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • Personal Assistant to the Defence Attaché, including the co-ordination of the Defence Attaché’s diary.
  • Co-ordinate the Defence Section drivers’ diary.
  • Co-ordinate travel and accommodation requirements for the Defence Attachés.
  • Manage and file all incoming and outgoing correspondence.
  • Correspond with the Egyptian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other government and non-government organisations in Egypt as directed.
  • Support the organisation and administration of all commemoration services, receptions and social events in Egypt for which UK Defence Section has a responsibility.
  • Conduct the role of Defence Section Duty Officer as directed.
  • Organise meetings and venues as directed.
  • Support the Assistant to the Defence Attaché in the administration of all Egyptian military undertaking training courses and visits in the UK, including liaison with the Military Attaché Agency.
  • Assist with visits by veterans and their families to cemeteries in restricted military sites.
  • Order stationery and other sundry items ensuring that sufficient stock is held in the Defence Section.
  • Information manager for OFFICIAL soft and hard copy filing.
  • Conduct additional duties as directed.
  • Line management of Defence section drivers.

 The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs.

Key behaviours:

  • Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Developing Self and Others - Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.

 

  • Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
  • Previous experience in a similar role (Personal/ Executive Assistant or admin/ office role).
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills. Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines, without compromising the quality of the work.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work closely with senior staff and their contacts. Ability to maintain a range of contacts to build effective working relationships.
  • Ability to work flexibly, including weekends where required and conducting the role of Defence Duty Officer for one week per month.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, maintain team spirit and a sense of humour under pressure.
  • Excellent service delivery skills.
  • Have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
  • Experience of office management and personal assistant, preferably in an embassy.
  • Prior experience working with the military.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together, Developing Self and Others
8 October 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
36
12 months
Middle East & North Africa
Egypt
Cairo
British Embassy
1
USD
1,374
1 December 2022

Eligibility:

Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in Egypt.

Remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including a non-negotiable gross salary of USD 1,374 per month subject to insurance and tax as per the usual regulations based on a 36 hours per week. The jobholder is expected to be in the British Embassy for normal working hours, although flexibility is possible with regards to start and finish times.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount. 

We offer a competitive package including medical benefits, performance related bonus, recreational facilities, opportunities for job related training & development, etc. There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The role is for a full-time employment, on a fixed term basis for one (1) year, subject to three (3) months’ probationary period.

The British Embassy is committed to helping staff develop in their careers through formal and informal training and coaching. You will have access to the full suite of FCDO learning and development opportunities including the FCDO’s Diplomatic Academy. We also provide regular in-house learning opportunities and are committed to supporting further academic opportunities.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role.

Applications that do not include these information will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 08 October 2022.

Please note that incomplete applications or applications received after the stated deadline will not be taken into consideration.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months or more. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

Personal data collected will be treated in strictest confidence under the terms of the UK Data Protection Act and used for recruitment purposes only.


The British Embassy Cairo is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Egypt employment law.

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.