View Vacancy - BD - Political and Communications Assistant, AO

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)
Economic and Prosperity

Main purpose of job: 

Become part of the diverse and inclusive British High Commission (BHC) team to maintain our strong bilateral relationship with Brunei and deliver our wider ASEAN goals as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner. 

Working in the Political Team, you’ll be responsible for supporting the team; arranging calls and programmes, conducting research, providing programme and budgetary support and helping to ensure that deadlines are met.  You’ll also provide cover to the Economic Team when the Economic Assistant is absent. As assistant to the Political, Press and Public Affairs Officer you will assist with social media campaigns and help draft public messages. You will arrange programmes and logistics for incoming and outgoing visits. You will support work on domestic and regional affairs, and engagement with civil society and have the opportunity to develop your drafting skills. You will work with colleagues across the High Commission and liaise with Ministries, business and civil society, as well as with other UK and foreign diplomatic missions and colleagues in London. You should be customer focused, with good IT skills and organised. Familiarity with social media platforms and communications work would be helpful. In our small mission you will need to be flexible and adaptable, able to turn your hand to different tasks as necessary. You should be able to write clear and simple emails and letters in English and willing to take responsibility to work with little supervision. You should show initiative and energy, and have an interest in contributing to the High Commission’s wider work. 

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

 Political:

  • Develop productive relationships at the working level with relevant Bruneian officials.
  • Develop an understanding of domestic and regional issues in Brunei and the ASEAN region.
  • Take accurate notes and produce first draft write-ups of meetings.
  • Contribute to drafting Travel Advice and replies to emails from members of the public. 
  • Produce short summaries of media reports, changes to government policies or government statements.

Communications:

  • Monitor our social media.
  • Draft and produce content for our social media, press releases and promotional material.
  • Assist in producing the communication plan for the High Commission.

Team support

  • Provide support to the Political Team.
  • Provide support to the Economic team and Deputy High Commissioner when the Economic Assistant is absent.
  • Prepare correspondence and letters
  • Keep track of team tasking and forward calendar
  • Arrange calls and meetings 
  • Book transport
  • Ensure new contacts are added to High Commission contacts data base. 

Visits

  • Contribute ideas for and help organise programmes for incoming visitors, coordinating logistical arrangements, briefing and advice.
  • Support Political Team in arranging events.

Other

  • Contribute to wider High Commission work, including corporate roles such as Fire Warden or First Aider.
  • Have a flexible can do attitude to take on other responsibilities as required.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 
None although there maybe some administrative oversight of budgets.


  • Good knowledge of government procedure and cultural sensitives when engaging with local and international stakeholders. 
  • Excellent organisational skills. 
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, accurate typing, at ease with using online systems. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team. 
  • Flexible, resilient under pressure with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard.
  • Professional and friendly manner, in person and on the phone.
  • A minimum of two years’ experience working in a policy or executive support role, preferably in a diplomatic mission, government department or large corporate structure.

Language requirements: 

Language: Fluent English, good written and spoken skills. Malay helpful but not essential.

  • A good understanding of domestic and regional affairs. 
  • Knowledge of Brunei and the ASEAN region. 
  • A background in international affairs / experience in an international organisation.
  • A knowledge of civil society in Brunei.
  • Experience of managing diaries, arranging visit and preparing programmes.
  • Experience of social media and communications work.
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
20 December 2022
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Asia Pacific
Brunei Darussalam
Bandar Seri Begawan
British High Commission
1
BND
BND$ 2,350.00
17 May 2023

The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package inclusive of salary, leave entitlement, performance related pay, benefits and extensive Learning and Development opportunities. This position is being advertised on a full-time, permanent role.

The British High Commission looks to support the professional development of all staff, including the Executive Assistant. Specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided to the successful candidate.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks and local labour requirements. Staff who are locally recruited by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Foreign Nationals, with assistance from the High Commission, must be able to obtain a permit to work in Brunei in order to apply.

Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

Please check the application centre regularly for any update on your application.

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.