View Vacancy - Community Liaison Officer (03/18 ACC)

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting opportunity for a self-starter to support the British High Commission (BHC) community. The CLO is a critical role for the BHC. He/she helps UK-based officers and their families as they prepare for a posting in Ghana, as they settle in, and throughout their stay in Ghana. It’s one of the most important corporate services jobs

Roles and responsibilities

Key tasks include:

• Providing information to UK-based officers and their families – from all departments and the British Council – on issues such as spouse/partner employment in Ghana, child and adult education, career and training opportunities, recreational facilities & social matters;
• Providing advice (and a listening ear!) to officers and their families – including issues that single officers and foreign-born spouses may have;
• Acting as an initial contact point for new arrivals, welcoming families and helping them integrate as smoothly and quickly as possible into life in Ghana;
• Being an advocate and voice for UK-based staff and their families in the BHC – in particular on the Post Housing and Security Committees;
• Acting as liaison point for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA), including completion of DSFA returns and maintenance of databases
• Acting as a hub for community and social events, communicating these to UK-based and local staff and helping organise events that knit the community together;
• Maintaining the UK-based staff emergency contact (telephone tree) list, and supporting the BHC during any crises or emergencies.

The nature of the job means some evening and occasional weekend work may be necessary. Flexible working is possible – and the job holder will entitled to Time Off in Lieu

The successful applicant will:

• Prioritise well, working between teams, assuming responsibility for tasks with minimum supervision
• Have excellent judgement and emotional intelligence, with clear self-awareness and an understanding of verbal and non-verbal communication;
• Be approachable, open, pro-active when required, honest, caring, friendly and a good listener;
• Be comfortable in possession of sensitive or personal information, and the associated need for discretion;
• Represent spouse/family issues at meetings;
• Have experience of, or a willingness to learn quickly about, Ghanaian culture;
• Observe the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s diversity and equality policies
• Be flexible - hours can otherwise be unpredictable;

Language requirements:

Language: Fluent in Spoken and Written English