View Vacancy - Chief of Staff to High Commissioner - B3
Main purpose of job:
To support the High Commissioner (and in her absence the Acting High Commissioner) to ensure that her time is spent on the high value and high priority activities and that she has the briefing and material she needs for internal and external meetings and engagement. To manage the HC’s calendar and oversee the Private Office, including the PA/DHC and Residence Manager, acting as the lynchpin between the HC and Senior Management Team, the other members of the Private Office/Residence/Transport and the rest of the mission. To support the HC and DHC drive cross-mission coherence and cross-cutting activities.
Roles and responsibilities:
Head of Private Office:
To ensure an effective Private Office and Residence Team through: liaising and dealing effectively with external stakeholders including diplomatic colleagues, government of Bangladesh and private and civil society contacts, and senior Whitehall contacts;
Effective outreach to cross-mission colleagues, including through Mission senior management, to ensure the HC and DHC’s time is spent on what matters and has most impact;
Ensuring Private Office routine business – diaries, appointments, briefing for meetings and correspondence is conducted smoothly and effectively;
Ensure cross-mission governance and communications is effective: including acting as Secretary for the senior cross-mission committees such as Senior Leadership Team and Post Security Committee (PSC); and taking responsibility for ensuring cross-mission initiatives led by the HC and DHC are supported;
Manage HC’s email, correspondence, meetings, diary and travel.
Secretariat:
Support HC in her personal role as Network Representative on the FCO Management Board and other FCO senior meetings, coordinating with the Board Secretary, and handling the Board and other papers and correspondence so that the HC has briefing and time necessary for preparation and effective participation in the monthly Board meetings.
Visits Coordinator:
Maintain oversight and control of the cross-mission visits calendar ensuring that there is transparency, cohesion and that standards for the visits are met across the mission and ensuring that the HC’s and DHC’s personal involvement in visits is handled effectively.
Chancery and Crisis Management Support:
Provide higher classification or absence cover for the A2(L) PA/DHC.
Undertake other responsibilities to support Private Office and Chancery, including those requiring cleared UKB support.
Language requirements:
Language: English
Level of language required: Mother tongue or equivalent fluency
Essential on arrival:
PA Experience working to a senior officer.
Good IT skills and eye for detail.
The successful candidate will be someone who:
- Is able to combine friendliness, approachability and empathy with resilience and discretion;
- Is a good communicator, with good drafting and oral presentation skills;
- Able to work independently, and flexibly with excellent organisational skills, able to manage competing demands effectively;
- Has strong interpersonal skills and strong sense of maintaining complete confidentiality at all times;
- Is good at problem solving, able to spot emerging issues and take appropriate proactive measures.
The successful candidate must meet the mandatory security clearance checks to operate in a confidential area before starting the job.
The successful candidate must be either British, EU, NATO, US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand national. Dual nationals other than those listed above cannot apply.
Highly Desirable: experience or knowledge of working inside an international organisation or national government
SALARY PACKAGE:
For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
Salary range will be Taka 88,705 – 168,748. There will be 15% tax abatement for candidates who are not liable to pay Income Tax in Bangladesh. Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.
TO APPLY:
Please note that the applications without (a), (b) and (c) will not be considered:
(a) Complete the Online Application Form
(b) Attach a detailed CV
(c) Complete the Motivation Segment and Competency question in the Online Application Form
Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and inform their current line managers. If this is not complied with, the application will not be considered.
We will accept only online applications received before “18th November 2018” midnight.
- Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
- The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.
Because of the security clearance requirement, only nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply:
UK or other EU country, Canada, Australia, USA, New Zealand. British citizens must have been resident in the UK for at least two of the previous 10 years; or have worked overseas for HM Government for at least two of the last ten years; or already hold adequate security clearance. Applicants who do not meet this criterion will not be considered.
We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.
This opportunity is closed to applications.