View Vacancy - Social Secretary to the High Commissioner (42/18 NR)

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:

 

This is an exciting opportunity to work in one of Nairobi’s biggest foreign missions, to develop the High Commissioner’s events essential in delivery of his core diplomacy. This involves formulation of guest lists, following up on responses and managing an up to date contacts database. It requires working closely with the High Commissioner, his Personal Assistant and Residence Manager to deliver these roles at a high standard.

 

The individual will need to be extremely efficient in managing events in a high pressured environment. S/he should have the ability to prioritise work and identify and apply new systems where needed.

 

S/he will also be required to be flexible with working hours and have an enthusiastic, energetic and creative personality.

 

Should also demonstrate skills in working well with others and the ability to engage with the High Commissioner’s high-level contacts.


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

Main duties:

 

  • Ensure the administration of all events is carried out to the highest standard.
  • Liaise with the Residence Manager and various section leads of the High Commission as well as external contacts to develop plans for events to be hosted by the High Commissioner. This will also involve offering the necessary guidance on the protocol to be followed for any events that he will host. 
  • Co-ordinate and develop guest lists and programmes for events.  This will involve advising the High Commissioner and section leads on the feasibility of proposed events, provide guidance on preparation of guest lists and programmes.
  • Issue invitations on behalf of the High Commissioner and manage responses.
  • Propose events for the High Commissioner to host, based on a deeper understanding of key contacts.
  • Maintain the High Commissioner’s database of contacts; keeping it up to date with contact details and relevant notes.
  • Prepare and maintain records of the Head of Mission’s representational activities and events.
  • Project manage (with the Residence Manager), the annual Queen’s Birthday Party (QBP) celebration; the High Commission’s biggest annual event. This includes co-ordinating the activities of the committee, managing the collation of the guest list, managing the invitations and the overall co-ordination of the event.
  • Brief the Internal Communications team on upcoming events to ensure appropriate media coverage where necessary.

Other duties:

  • Assist the Personal Assitant to High Commissioner to manage correspondence e.g. sending our standard letters  of reply for requests for donations and scholarships.
  • Cultivate and maintain good working relationships and networks of contacts in government, other diplomatic missions and private sectors.
  • A minimum of 3 years experience in PA work/administration.
  • Ability to work and deliver in a high pressure environment.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication and organisation skills.
  • Excellent IT skills (a working knowledge of MS Office is essential).
  • Able to work under minimal supervision and deliver for senior-level individuals.
  • Bachelor’s in Business Admistration, Management or other equivalent
25 September 2018
Administrative Officer (AO)
Permanent
Africa
Kenya
Nairobi
British High Commission
KES
144,401(before tax)
1 November 2018

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

The British High Commission provides in-house training courses through the year. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop core and transferable skills through both formal and informal learning and development opportunities.

Leave:

Members of staff are entitled to paid annual leave, which is earned, from the day they commence employment. Entitlements are as follows:

  • Grade A2 - 25 days
  • In addition to annual leave, the BHC normally observes no fewer than 9 and no more than 14 Kenyan and British public and religious holidays in a year. These vary from year to year and are at the discretion of the High Commissioner. A list of holidays is published each year.

Working Patterns:

36.25 hours per week


  • 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 Nairobi are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Kenya.
  • It is essential that the applicants already have the right to live and work in Kenya without the need to apply for a work permit
  • 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: Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
  • Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of 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.