View Vacancy - Protocol and Freight Officer

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 (Operations and Corporate Services)
Protocol, Visits and Events

The British Embassy in Tunis currently has a vacancy for a Protocol and Freight Officer Grade – A2 (L) to start as soon as possible.

Main Purpose of the Job:

As the Protocol and Freight Officer, you will be assisting on the Protocol and Freight operations that help to an effective collaboration with the Tunisian government and a smooth delivery of Protocol work. You will work in close collaboration with important stakeholders in the Tunisian Government, and directly report to the Protocol and Freight Manager.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Freight Management

  • Prepare all paper work related to import and export for UAF, heavy baggage, Diplomatic vehicles, or any official diplomatic goods.
  • Assist on the follow-up with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local expert on Tunisian regulations for diplomatic freight.
  • Meets the local freight company forwarders and local Tunisian authorities on a regular basis and depending on the needs.
  • To monitor progress of bill of lading for imported/exported diplomatic goods and cars.
  • Advise UK based officers with entitlements and appropriate shipping options via ; air , sea or diplomatic bag
  • Issue the official letters and application forms for obtaining customs declarations on import and export of UAF /Heavy Baggage, diplomatic goods and diplomatic vehicles.
  • Assist freight forwarder companies in UK /Tunis and the embassy staff until shipments are cleared and safely delivered up to destination with the required standards.
  • Answer Freight related any queries.

Diplomatic Vehicle’s Legalisation

  • Assist with importing and registering all official and personal diplomatic vehicles to ensure they remain on the road legally.
  • To advise on the Embassy process and rules of issuing and renewing official and private diplomatic car licences at MFA, Tunisian Customs and authorities.
  • Closely track cars franchises.
  • Assist in the follow-up with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local expert on Tunisian regulations for diplomatic vehicles both personal and official fleet.
  • Assist in the process of diplomatic cars’ transfer of ownership between members of the diplomatic community.
  • Provide assistance with the required official legal documents for diplomatic cars that cross boarders and return back to the country, supervise the whole process.
  • Answer all enquiries about the policies of diplomatic cars immunities and entitlements.

Protocol Management

  • Provide advice on the type of visas required for visiting post on short term or diplomatic entry visas on full posting.
  • Assist with the diplomatic accreditations special procedures for senior positions such as: HM Ambassador, Defence Attaché.
  • Assist other sections on the issuance and drafting of specific note verbales before despatching to MFA.
  • Translate Note Verbales and letters from English to French when needed.
  • Issue and renew diplomatic residence visas and ID card application requests at MFA for UK based officers.
  • Maintain close contact with MFA, customs and government influential officials to resolve protocol issues before they cause operational difficulties for Post.
  • Answer Protocol general queries.

VIP Visits Airport Logistics

  • Advise on visas required, luggage or diplomatic boxes, and other customs clearance.
  • Book VIP Lounge through MFA for official VIP Visitors.
  • Obtaining Tarmac airport passes through MFA for Embassy Team meeting the VIP Visitors.

Key competencies required:

  • Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.
  • Managing a Quality Service - Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. 
  • Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done. 
  • Demonstrating Resilience – This is about helping our people to build resilience in international roles, supporting their ability to adapt to working in difficult and varied international environments and to bounce back from crises and setbacks in these contexts.
  • Fluency in English, French and Arabic both written and spoken
  • Previous experience in a similar role doing protocol and Freight work.
  • Previous experience of working with Tunisian Ministries and Foreign Embassies.
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Valid driving license
  • Good IT Skills including creation and maintenance of databases
22 December 2019
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
12 months
Middle East & North Africa
Tunisia
Tunis
British Embassy
1
TND
2,387 while on probation, rising to 2,954 after successful probation
1 February 2020

Working hours and remuneration:

The British Embassy in Tunisia offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role. Initial salary will be TND 2,387 per month while on probation. Salary after probation is TND 2,954. This is for a Full-time employment, on a Fixed-term basis for 1 year (renewable).

Conditioned working hours are 40 hours gross per week. Standard working hours are from 08:00-16:30 from Monday to Thursday and 08:00-13:00 on Fridays. A flexible working pattern may be possible by agreement with the line manager but it would be dependent on business requirements and in line with current terms and conditions of service.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.

The appointment will also be subject to satisfactory local and UK security clearances.

Eligibility:

Candidate must be eligible to work and reside in Tunisia immediately.

Application process:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents along with their online application form:

  1. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  2. A Covering Letter

Applications that do not include these will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 22 December 2019. Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Due to the large amount of job applications the Embassy receives, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

The start date mentioned 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.


The British Embassy Tunis is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.