View Vacancy - Executive Assistant to High Commissioner B3 (L) (20/19 ACC)

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)
Private Office

Main purpose of job:

This is a dynamic role at the heart of the British High Commission that provides high level support to the High Commissioner (HC) and manages the HC’s Office Team while engaging key stakeholders in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ghana Government, Foreign Governments, other Diplomatic Missions, NGOs and other UK Government Departments to support the achievement of UK Government Foreign Policy Objectives in Ghana.


Roles and responsibilities:


  • Key point of contact for the High Commissioner (HC) with a focus on prioritising HC’s time and commitments
  • Manage HC diary – including communicating with HC Team to ensure they know how best to work with HC Office
  • Follow up (on behalf of HC) for actions within Mission
  • Build relationships with key stakeholders in Ghana & UK to create productive working environment
  • Ensure effective functioning of the HC office focusing on general office duties including, but not limited to, dealing with visitors, responding to telephone calls, mail, invites and all general enquiries to the office
  • Assist in organizing programmes for official visitors coming to Ghana
  • Perform routine tasks on behalf of the wider High Commission including processing of the diplomatic bags
  • Liaise with Residence Manager and HC spouse on issues relating to functions, invitations, visitors and give support concerning guests list and social events
  • Manage contacts and maintain relationships including high priority contacts
  • Respond to and draft routine correspondence on behalf of the office
  • Arrange programmes for HC’s internal and external travel
  • Support office budget management; advising on spending trends, reconciling expenditure and facilitating accurate forecasting
  • Act as a point of contact in the absence of the Residence Manager
  • Support the governance of key post’s boards and some cross-cutting High Commission programmes
  • Oversee the distribution of invitations to high-level stakeholders, RSVP follow-ups and ensuring HC’s knowledge of key engagements for each event. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • Line management of Administrative Assistant and have oversight responsibility of Residence Manager.
  • Prioritizing in a fast-paced work environment, assuming responsibility for tasks with minimum supervision and delivering to deadlines.
  • Strong self-organization, the ability to be flexible and resilient.
  • Being an excellent team player.
  • Communication and influencing skills, including excellent drafting and proof-reading in English, including records of meetings.
  • The ability to maintain high-level contacts with UK Government departments, Government of Ghana offices, BHC staff, members of other diplomatic missions as well as members of the public.
  • Feeling comfortable dealing with sensitive issues, and therefore the ability to be highly ethical and discreet.
  • Strong IT skills using Microsoft software.
  • Excellent written and spoken English. 

  • Good written and spoken French would be a distinct advantage.
  • Knowledge of the UK and of UK Government structures would be an advantage.
26 November 2019
Executive Officer (EO)
Permanent
Africa
Ghana
Accra
British High Commission
1
GHS equivalent of USD 837.21
2 January 2020

Learning and development opportunities:

The British High Commission in Ghana takes learning and development seriously. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop many core and transferable skills through both formal and informal learning and development opportunities. Members of staff are encouraged to make use of the learning and development opportunities that the office has to offer and many then benefit from internal promotion opportunities.

Working patterns:


Some flexibility in working hours and patterns is possible, though this job is mainly office-based and requires some flex around out-of-hours events. But all applications are welcome.


  • All applicants must be legally able to work in Ghana with the correct visa/status or work permit.
  • The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana.
  • The British High Commission in Accra is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
  • Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in Accra is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ghanaian employment law.
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.
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.