View Vacancy - Community Liaison 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 (Residence and Support Staff)
Community Liaison

The British Embassy in Beirut has a vacancy for the position of Community Liaison Officer, Grade – AO.

Main purpose of job:

To work closely with Post Management for the well-being of all staff at Post, with primary function as communication lead for and provision of support to UK-based (UKB) staff and dependants on family and community issues and welfare support in the event of crisis. IT skills are a must, as are good communication skills - including listening skills, empathy and kindness, and respect for confidentiality and sensitive personal data.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Gather and share information with UK-Based officers and their spouses/partners and families, and staff on flexible deployment (including for those applying for roles/not yet at Post).  To include (where applicable) information primarily on spouse/partner employment at Post; adult education; career and training opportunities; single officer and foreign-born spouse/partner issues; recreational facilities; social matters; and completion of DSFA Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Report. CLOs should be accessible and able to provide information in person or by phone/email/WhatsApp.

Communicating effectively on community and social matters across Post to all staff and dependants including notification of UKB staff arrivals/departures. The job holder will be well skilled in digital media and work closely with the Internal Comms team to generate information that can be transmitted across social media platforms. The CLO will manage email and telephone details for spouses and partners and, whilst mindful of the Data Protection Act, help connect new arrivals with other spouses and partners, and promote and arrange social opportunities, either virtually or in person, for dependants and the wider community.

Information management of Post Welcome Pack, CLO homepage on Post’s Intranet/SharePoint site, update and review of Post Report and Fact Sheet. Ensure evacuation list is up to date. This includes uploading documents to Crisis Hub, editing Excel spreadsheets to include new arrivals, remove those who have left and collecting data from new arrivals.

Data collection: Conduct Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) review, collate data and submit to ECA (currently four times a year, given high inflation and volatility).

Integration:  Working with the Estates team to ensure a smooth arrival for all staff on posting/temporary duty/flexible deployment and accompanying dependants into a clean and furnished property; following up to check that the settling in process is working; being a source of referral and support where questions, problems and difficulties arise; providing short Post community induction.

Corporate contribution: Playing an active part on behalf of UK based staff and dependants on corporate committees – currently Housing Committee, Post Security Committee and Wellbeing & Social Committee.

Emergency Planning: the CLO must be aware of and involved in any Post contingency and evacuation plans. All CLOs should complete the Crisis Preparedness Management eLearning on GLO. The CLO will be a welfare lead in times of crisis.

Health: Support work on health for staff, including by maintaining contacts with medical providers and getting feedback on them (together with corporate services) and arranging flu vaccination clinics.

Welfare: Being available as a resource and point of contact for UKBS and dependants. This can include assisting with emergency hospital admissions or Covid isolation, queries relating to work for dependants, queries relating to travel advice for Lebanon, queries about language training, signposting to HR/Health and Welfare/DSFA for specialist advice, listening ear for those experiencing hardship e.g. divorce, separation. The CLO may become aware of difficult circumstances for an officer, dependant or family member. This could include the usual tensions associated with moving or something as serious as domestic violence, serious health issues or alcohol/drug abuse. The CLO must have the ability to work confidentially yet knowing when and how to involve others, remain calm, keep accurate notes and not to make promises which can’t be kept. The CLO needs to be aware of who can assist them in difficult situations. The CLO Training Course provides information on this, as do the DSFA, HR colleagues and the DHM.

All the above tasks require the CLO to have strong links with senior management, relevant FCDO departments and the DSFA’s London office. A number of other missions in Lebanon have similar roles.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in other embassy activities such as learning and development, crisis preparedness and wellbeing.

Key Behaviours required for the job:

  • 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.
  • 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.

Knowledge & Skills:

The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills as well as being a strong team player with partnering skills with a diverse range of customers.  This is a high-paced role and you will need to be resilient in order to deliver high standards of service in a challenging but rewarding environment.  We are looking for someone that can demonstrate:

  • Integrity
  • Honesty
  • Objectivity
  • Impartiality

Essential:

  • Fluent communication skills in English language (both written and spoken).
  • Capable of working on their initiative, without close supervision and adaptable to changing priorities.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills (listening, problem solving) and calm under pressure.
  • Excellent IT skills (Excel, Outlook, MS Teams, MS Word, Zoom etc).
  • Discretion and respect for confidentiality and sensitive personal data.

Desirable:

  • NA
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
10 July 2022
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term, Part-Time
20
12 months
Middle East & North Africa
Lebanon
Beirut
British Embassy
1
USD
979
1 August 2022

Working Hours and Remuneration:

This is a 50% part time role at 20 hours per week, with flexibility and occasional after hours work. The FCDO is an equal opportunities employer and we would be happy to consider applications from those who wish to work flexibly, however please do speak to the hiring manager before putting in an application to discuss what is possible. NB remote working in the UK may be permissible for up to 30 days per year if the job holder has the right to work in the UK.

Pay is on the Embassy AO scale, with a salary of USD $979 per month. Please note that your salary will be paid gross and you are expected to comply with your tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the local authorities.  If you are not liable to pay Lebanese tax, you will receive a net salary which is minus the deduction of an equivalent level of local tax.  Further information on this will be given to candidates at interview if necessary.

The package includes a good level of health insurance and a friendly, English-speaking work environment. We offer opportunities to develop through our Learning & Development offer. Essential training will be provided on arrival. There is a 5 day CLO training course which is strongly recommended. Leave entitlement is 20 days (on pro rata basis) plus 14 public holidays.

This position is offered on a part time, fixed term basis for one year, which may be renewed. The desired start date for the successful candidate is August 2022.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-days probationary period. The appointment is also subject to satisfactory reference checks and local & UK security clearances.

 

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:

  • Receive the appropriate level of security clearance;
  • Have (or be willing to obtain) the right to live and work in Lebanon. Candidate's residence permit and work permit, and the expense to obtain them, will be their own responsibility.

Application Process:

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

  • An updated Curriculum Vita (CV)
  • A covering letter

** (Applications that do not include the above stated information will be rejected).

 

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Beirut Time) on 10 July 2022.

 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Interviews will be held at the British Embassy Beirut Office or remotely via MS Teams. Due to the large amount of applications we receive only those shortlisted for assessment/interview will be contacted.

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed 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 and reference checks.

 

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