View Vacancy - TON - Personal Assistant to the UK High Commissioner, A2 (L) (Part-time)

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 (Operations and Corporate Services)
Corporate Services Support

Main purpose of job:

To organise the UK High Commissioner’s meetings and diary, maintain access to senior contacts, write official letters including on protocol issues, and to provide administrative support to the UK High Commissioner and the Deputy High Commissioner (DHC).

To organise and run official events/visitors at the UK High Commissioner’s official Residence and external venues.

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

Personal Assistant

  • Organise the High Commissioner’s diary and arrange meetings for her and the Deputy High Commissioner.
  • Maintain an accurate senior-level contact list (diplomats, government ministries, business, NGOs etc) including by setting up spreadsheets and databases.
  • Maintain access to senior level contacts (ministries, Head of State, Prime Minister etc) and ensuring local protocol procedures are carried out properly, including working closely with the Royal Household and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Provide administrative support to the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner, such as arranging travel, setting up programmes, note-taking.
  • Use initiative in researching and writing letters to members of the public and others.
  • Dealing with a range of straightforward day to day enquiries and providing advice and guidance to members of the public.
  • Research venues for events and external caterers ensuring value for money is met.
  • Other duties as necessary and as determined by the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner.
  • Knowledge of local government ministries.
  • Intermediate levels of IT knowledge (sending e-mails, electronic diary management etc).
  • Good track-record of dealing with senior customers.
  • Language requirements: Fluent spoken and written English; Fluent spoken and written Tongan.
  • Experience of working for similar organisations (diplomatic missions, government ministries, international organisations).
3 August 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Part-Time, Permanent
19 hours gross
Asia Pacific
Tonga
Nuku’alofa
British High Commission
1
TOP
TOP 11,202 per year
6 September 2021

There will be continual on-the-job learning and access to the UK’s online Diplomatic Academy training courses.

Working patterns: Part-time, mornings 5 days a week, total of 2.5 days per week. 

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Applicants must have work authorisation in Tonga in order to apply.

Staff recruited locally by the High Commission is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Kingdom of Tonga employment laws.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

All applications must be received before 23:55 local time on the day of the specified deadline. 

Applications must address experience against the role responsibilities and include a current CV.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

The indicated start date is provisional and final start date would depend on the successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks.

The High Commission has opened relatively recently. As new procedures and functions are tested, we would expect some changes to each role in the Mission. Thus, the ideal candidate would be flexible and positive in accommodating these changes.

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.