View Vacancy - Community Liaison Officer (DEU293)
The British Embassy Berlin is part of a world-wide network, representing British political & economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to work closely with Post Management for the wellbeing of all staff at Post, with the primary function as advocate for and the provision of support to UK-based staff and their families on family and community issues, principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare and communication.
The CLO is a point of contact for a diverse group of families/partners of UK-based staff and single UK-based officers. The post holder will assist his/her clients on arrival and departure and provide a continuing source of support through regular contact.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- To contact partners/families of new arrivals at the earliest opportunity to assess need and provide assistance in arranging and during pre-posting visits;
- To support UK-based staff with arranging school/nursery placements and childcare arrangements and annually update the School Information Sheets of authorised schools at Post;
- To provide information and support on spouse/partner employment at Post and research and prepare the DSFA (Diplomatic Service Families Association) Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Report;
- To provide advice on training opportunities, for language and career development, both locally and through the DSFA;
- To welcome staff and accompanying families to Post and ensure as smooth an integration as possible into the life of the Post community and Berlin, following up to ensure their settling in process is working;
- To meet new arrivals at their accommodation. To liaise with Corporate Services Section to ensure that accommodation is ready;
- To ensure that new arrivals are given guidance and assistance on local shopping, transport, medical services and other aspects of daily life in Berlin;
- To provide support and practical assistance to partners/families in times of need and signpost to other agencies where appropriate;
- To maintain in regular contact with all staff and families, communicating effectively on community and social matters and facilitating social events as necessary;
- To liaise with the HR department regarding partners/families and contribute to post information returns such as the Cost of Living Allowance survey and information reports, including the Post Welcome Pack, Post Report and Fact Sheet;
- To be an advocate for UK based staff and families in addressing issues of importance with Post Management, including contingency planning and housing committees, and as the main link between Post and DSFA in London;
- To network with CLO equivalents of other diplomatic missions in Berlin and represent the Embassy at events in this function;
- To attend relevant meetings as directed;
- To participate in corporate projects focussed on supporting and developing the collective spirit of the Embassy and the Consulate-Generals in Germany;
- To undertake other duties that may reasonably be required and which are in accordance with the grading and core competencies of the job.
- Fluent English written and spoken, minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework*;
- Experience of providing practical and emotional support to others;
- Ability to empathise with other people’s circumstances;
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse clients;
- Advanced listening skills;
- Ability to remain calm in difficult situations;
- Ability to respect confidentiality at all times;
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team;
- Excellent time management and organisational skills;
- Good MS Office skills, especially Outlook and Word. Basic knowledge of Excel.
- Full driving licence would be an advantage;
- Some German language skills would be an advantage;
- Some knowledge of Berlin would be an advantage.
The jobholder will become part of the British Government’s presence in Germany, which aims to support and foster them and their work.
The British Embassy in Berlin has a strong ethos of Learning and Development, including our Learning and Development Week. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend external seminars and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all Embassy staff.
The successful applicant will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the Embassy, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government’s Germany network and supporting the Embassy’s positive working environment.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance.
All applicants should have the right to live and work in Germany. The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorization for Germany in order to apply. The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Germany are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local German employment law.
For your information, interviews are likely to be held between 21-25 August 2017.
* Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C2 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
