View Vacancy - Personal Assistant to Deputy High Commissioner (89/19 PTA)

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)
Chancery

Main purpose of job:

Provide administrative support to the Deputy High Commissioner across their full range of responsibilities through efficient running of their office, diary and travel management, preparing of papers and liaising with internal external stakeholders.


Roles and responsibilities:

This is a key position at the heart of the High Commission in Pretoria.  

You will monitor and organise the Deputy High Commissioner’s workflow, assisting in prioritising demands on his time and attention, ensuring important/urgent work is actioned or delegated appropriately.  The PA Deputy High Commissioner role will involve, but will not be limited to:

  • Providing a full PA service for the Deputy High Commissioner, including diary management, preparation of papers, correspondence, securing internal and external meetings, and transport and travel bookings
  • Ad hoc support for Political and Prosperity Counsellors (travel bookings and organisation of larger internal meetings)
  • Run the mentorship programme for Deputy High Commissioner
  • Supervision of outward diplomatic bags, ensuring cover arrangements and re-direction of mail
  • Ensuring quick onward delivery of cards from HMTQ
  • Keeping the Private Office refreshments station stocked by regularly purchasing supplies and reconciling the expenditure on PRISM
  • Act as back up requisitions officer for Chancery
  • Working closely with the PA to the High Commissioner, covering her leave of absences

This is a rewarding role at the centre of a high profile office, and is an ideal place in which to build a wide range of skills across the Band A competences.  You will have excellent communication and people skills, which will allow you to develop close working relationships within the High Commission, OGDs, other Missions, international organisations and a range of external stakeholders.  You will be enthusiastic, resilient and flexible with an ability to prioritise tasks and manage the Deputy High Commissioner’s diary with a proactive ‘hands on’ approach.  This busy, interesting and challenging role will require strong organisational skills and an ability to think ahead and use your initiative. 

 

  • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to work quickly in a very fast paced environment.
  • English (fluent written and spoken)
  • Strong IT skills using Microsoft software
  • Previous PA and administrative experience
2 February 2020
Administrative Officer (AO)
Permanent
36.5
Africa
South Africa
Pretoria
British High Commission
1
R 18,161.24
15 February 2020

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The High Commission has a strong developmental culture, including an active Learning and Development (L&D) programme.  Senior management lead by example by delivering regular L&D sessions and taking time out for their own formal L&D.  You will be encouraged to contribute and take part.  The High Commission fully supports Diplomatic Academy completion.


Working patterns:

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
  • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa.
  • All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. 
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation 
  • The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so. 
  • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
  • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
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.