View Vacancy - Head of Outer Office & External Protocol (HEO) (22/22 ACC) - Internal only campaign

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)
Private Office

Main purpose of job:

BHC Accra is a large post, currently employing 40 members of staff from the UK and 200 Ghanaian members of staff from across 12 UK government departments, and is charged with delivering high impact and complex policy, programmes and campaigns on the full breadth of the Africa Strategy.  All staff embody the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s approach to cross-departmental ways of working and the High Commission aims to be a highly-inclusive place to work, celebrating a workforce with both diversity of thought and background. To help achieve this the British High Commission takes a values-based approach to leadership and people management, and has a zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment. Our local values are Respect; Openness; and Honesty & Integrity. An understanding and commitment to inclusion and values-based leadership will be discussed during interview, and tested during a probationary period.

BHC Accra has a high profile with regular visits from Ministers, with Ghana seen as critical to Africa’s role on the world stage, pioneering an exit from aid, and making key contributions to the regional leadership of West Africa.

The High Commissioner is busy and works at pace. Recent Organisational Design work has shown the critical role her outer office has in facilitating the effective working of teams internally, and the reputation and impact of the High Commissioner externally. This new position – as head of protocol and head of the outer office – sits at the centre of the work of the High Commission, and will be the cog that helps the whole machine work effectively.

Day to day will look varied: some time will be spent internally helping to ensure the smooth running of High Commission business, including ensuring sensitive and political notes verbales from the MFA are processed, policy decisions are taken, emails are dealt with and actions are completed; some time will be spent managing and developing the outer office team; some time will be spent supporting the team leaders; and some time will be spent externally building relationships with other protocol officers, going ahead of the High Commissioner to act as her public-facing protocol officer.

Roles and responsibilities:

You will have experience across the High Commission, a clear understanding of managing protocol well, and a proven track record of delivering a quality service for senior team members and your own staff. Your role and responsibilities will fall across four areas:

  • Team Leader for the outer office, including the Executive Assistant, the Residence Manager, the PA to the team leaders, and the Events Manager. You will support and coordinate their work, invest in their personal development, be an effective line manager, and support the work of the High Commissioner through her key staff. You will help the team make sure the High Commissioner is focussed on the priorities, is travelling regularly, and seeing the right people at the right time. You will manage the Outer Office budget day-to-day, being accountable to the High Commissioner for forecasting.
  • Be the glue that helps the policy teams work effectively with the High Commissioner, Deputy, and Development Director. Including tracking key documents, progressing note verbales with the MFA, offering support when required for the High Commissioner’s responsibilities for Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso, and liaising at a senior level with embassies when escalation from the Executive Assistant is required. When Ministerial visits occur, you will be the corporate memory, helping policy teams run the visits by sharing experience and best practice.
  • To be a focal point for lobbying by externals, managing external relationships effectively (including knowing when to say no), and to be the central point for, for example, visa requests and facilitation. Political acumen and resilience is key.
  • A “head of protocol” who can go ahead of the High Commissioner or UK Ministers to meetings and events, when needed. Ensuring protocol is understood by the High Commissioner (what to do when), and to be practical and hands on when required (saving seats!).

Other things will come up, and the incumbent will need to be responsive and discreet when the High Commissioner or Deputy turns to them for advice or support.

Resources managed:

  • Admin budget of £100,000pa, covering the Residence, Events, and High Commissioner hospitality and travel.
  • Managing four staff (Executive Assistant, the Residence Manager, the PA to the team leaders, and the Events Manager)
  • Counter-signing officer for three staff (PA to the DHC, Residence staff, HC Driver).
  • Experience of working in the BHC across different teams and different policy areas;
  • Experience of working in an environment where protocol is expected.
  • Line management experience.
  • Proven discretion.
  • Level of language required: Fluent English, spoken Twi and Ga.
  • Managing budgets,
  • Experience of working with senior officials or VIPs.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
7 July 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Permanent
35
Africa
Ghana
Accra
British High Commission
1
GHS equivalent to USD 1,618.65
1 August 2022

Learning and development opportunities:

The British High Commission in Ghana takes learning and development seriously. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop many core and transferable skills through both formal and informal learning and development opportunities, including the full suite of HMG training courses and opportunities and the opportunity to work closely and shadow the High Commissioner. Members of staff are encouraged to make use of the learning and development opportunities that the office has to offer. 

Working patterns:

Flexible working will be required, working around the demands of the office.

  • All applicants must be legally able to work in Ghana with the correct visa/status or work permit.
  • The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana.
  • The British High Commission in Accra is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
  • Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in Accra are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ghanaian employment law.
  • 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.    
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.
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.