View Vacancy - Head of Visits - C4, New Delhi

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)
Political

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

Please note that due to Covid-19 outbreak, the start date of employment mentioned in the advert is tentative, subject to normal business of British High Commission. All recruitment campaigns will remain open for applications, we will progress the recruitment process as swiftly as possible and continue to review all applications, monitor progress and developments. We will be in touch with you for the interviews/ should there be further updates on the application, however given the circumstances, kindly expect some delay in response and please reach out to if you have any further questions.

Please note: This is a fixed term position for 1 year with a possibility of renewal.

This is an exciting role in the Political and Bilateral Affairs team which sits at the heart of the India network. The position of Head of Visits has an interesting and varied high profile portfolio.  Past visits have included the UK Prime Minister, the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Strong personal impact, delivering through others and creativity will be critical to your ability to deliver.  

Main purpose of job:

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Preparing for and delivering high profile official visits to India
  • Leading and delivering through a team of 2 Locally Engaged (LE) officers.
  • Working with colleagues to develop creative visit events.
  • Working with your team on ‘immersion’ programmes for senior colleagues joining the India network.
  • Stakeholder management, developing your expertise on how best to engage with UK and Indian government’s departments, organisations and businesses.
  • Producing visit briefing for senior readership.
  • Supporting the wide range of Political and Bilateral Affairs work, including drafting updates for the FCDO India Travel Advice and assisting with human rights programmes.

Roles and Responsibilities:

To deliver high quality ministerial and senior official visit programmes for incoming British visitors to India. This will include: 

  • Managing and delivering through your team of 2 LE officers.
  • Collaborating with stakeholders to creatively design and research visit programmes which meet both the visitor’s and BHC’s objectives
  • Owning and delivering high standard visits, managing relationships, using your creativity to plan events, finding solutions to problems and thinking on your feet
  • Identifying and cultivating new contacts (both in the UK and in India) to develop strong working relationships and ensure our objectives are met
  • Ensuring all visits administration is well organised e.g. visas, protocol, liaising with the visits and movements team on hotel, room and transport bookings
  • Leading on-the-day visits organisation, implementing the visit programmes and ensuring they run smoothly
  • Proactively producing an upcoming HMG visits grid which lists inward and outward visits, and maintaining records of previous visits, to provide up-to-date high-level visits statistics  
  • Delivering high standard immersion programmes through your team, meeting colleague and network objectives
  • Robustly managing visit and immersion budgets
  • Helping to prepare and quality control Ministerial and official briefing packs
  • Drafting and sending official letters to Indian authorities
  • Chairing and producing minutes of British Commission visits organisation meetings

What we do:  

The British High Commission (BHC) in India works to enhance UK-India ties (www.gov.uk/world/india). The Political Department within the BHC is responsible for political relations between the UK and Indian Governments. It is based in the BHC in Delhi, but works in support of our wider network of Deputy High Commissions (DHC) across India. 

The British High Commission organises a significant number of Ministerial and senior official visits to India and the UK. Ensuring that all elements of these visits are delivered to an exceptionally high standard is vital. The Political Department is responsible for the overarching co-ordination of these visits, delivery of the cross-cutting VIP visits, and supports different parts of the British High Commission and wider network to organise sector or issue-specific visits.

Further information 

The Political and Bilateral team is looking for an English-speaking individual, who either has or is entitled to suitable security clearance being granted. This role would be well suited to someone who has previously worked in government and/or has experience of delivering high profile events. The role requires someone who has a good knowledge of the UK – its institutions, strengths and networks. 

The successful candidate should have a proven track record in outstanding organisation skills, be confident in drafting, have excellent people skills, an ability to think creatively to solve problems and be enthusiastic and adaptable. The successful candidate will need to have a flexible approach to working, for example be prepared to work alongside different teams for short periods of time to help deliver visits including occasionally visits that take place outside Delhi. 

Language requirements:  

Language: English 

Level of language required: fluent

Essential: 2 years of relevant experience

Security Clearance Level required: Applicant must already hold a minimum of the UK’s SC level of clearance or be able to achieve it.  

Nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply: UK, Canada, Australia, USA, New Zealand, Ireland.

2 December 2020
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
New Delhi
British High Commission
1
INR
INR 110,484 per month together with 80% Security Allowance and Additional Allowance of 18% in lieu of Provident Fund and Special Allowance/Superannuation Fund
1 February 2020

The basic pay of INR 110,484 topped up with additional allowances:

  • Security Allowance of 80% of basic pay
  • 18% of the basic in lieu of Provident Fund and Special Allowance/Superannuation Fund

A full breakdown of salary will be provided.

Additionally (if applicable) the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.

The following amounts may be deduced from your pay each month:

  • Notional tax at a flat rate of 20% of gross salary will be deducted by the BHC if you are not liable to pay local tax. This applies to all spouses and partners of UK-based officers posted to India.
  • Staff who are not spouses or dependants of UK-based officers are liable to pay local tax. In these circumstances tax is not deducted at source and staff must make their own arrangements to pay tax in accordance with Indian tax regulations.

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.   

Around half of our work force is women.  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.

Security clearance required:

Please note:  The role will involve access to and handling of classified or sensitive information. All applicants must therefore be able to achieve the UK’s SCE level of security clearance or already hold it.

Because of the security clearance requirement mentioned above, only nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply:

UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland

However, applications will be considered from candidates working overseas for HM Government in the past ten years or who already hold adequate security clearance. In light of the tight timings ALL applicants must have permission to work in India.

Applicants who do not meet this criterion will not be considered

TO APPLY

Please note applications without (a), (b), (c) will not be considered. 

(a)    Completed the Online Job Application Form

(b)    Complete the Motivation segment in the online application from (In Not more than 600 words)

(c)    Complete this duly filled Pre Employment Questionnaire 

We will accept only online applications. Please send in your online applications by 2nd December 2020 till 23:55 

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable). They should also inform their current line managers, and check for the eligibility clause if on probation, else the applications will not be considered.

  • 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. 

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.

Employment will be offered only after appropriate level of UK standard security clearance is received. No relocation, housing or any other related costs or assistance will be provided.

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.