View Vacancy - Executive Assistant & Deputy Programme Manager

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 (Policy & Political roles)
Global Issues Team

Main Purpose of Job:

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington DC has an exciting opportunity for an energetic and resourceful person to join the Trade and Global Issues Section and Executive Assistant and Deputy Programme Officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working to deliver our international priorities 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 side by side with 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 role will see you working across a broad range of areas in support of the work of the Trade and Global Issues Section, including work on our energy and climate agenda; science and innovation; technology and trade.  

  • In your role as Executive Assistant, you will be coordinating scheduling across the section; working to ensure that key priorities and issues are addressed; and supporting the broader administrative work of the Head of Section and the teams. (approx.. 30% of role)     
  • As Deputy Programme Manager you will be involved in the effective delivery of approximately $650,000 of programme funding across a range of policy areas.  This will include working to the Programme Manager on assessment of bids, monitoring and evaluation of work, and budgetary management. There are opportunities for some travel in this role. (approx.. 50% of role) 
  • You’ll also support the wider Trade and Global Issues Section administration, including managing contacts (using Salesforce), budgets, and event planning. (approx.. 20% of role)     

There will also be opportunities to be involved in discrete areas of policy and corporate work, depending on your interests.

The ideal candidate will be able to confidently work autonomously as well as collaboratively. They will be supported to quickly familiarise themselves with relevant working practices and policies and be able to plan and prioritise. They will need to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining good attention to detail and strong written and oral communication skills. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Management of the Head of Section’s schedule, including working across UK and US contacts to set up meetings and manage agendas;
  • Wider corporate and policy support for the Trade and Global Issues Section, including contacts management, budget management and tracking of key corporate issues; 
  • Working with the Programme Manager to deliver high-impact projects in support of UK policy goals in the US, and supporting the governance of the overall programme;
  • Supporting the Programme Manager in compliance with UK procurement rules and mapping of budgets and expenditure against targets, as well as relevant monitoring and evaluation. 

Resources Managed:

Working with our Programme Officer to manage around $650,000 of programme funding.

  • Excellent understanding of current software tools for office management, including Microsoft Office Suite;
  • Excellent organisational skills and a keen eye for detail.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to multi-task and work as a team player.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to be professional, courteous and deal directly with senior level contacts both inside and outside the Embassy.
  • Interest in US-UK relations, particularly in trade, tech policy, and/or climate
  • 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, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form.
  • Budget management experience (not essential; training available).
  • Program management experience and/or familiarity
Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
15 September 2024
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
$63,180
yearly
28 October 2024

Learning and Development Opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communciating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

Working Patterns:

This role is 40 hours a week.

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. 

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law. The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
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.