View Vacancy - Executive Assistant (EA) to the Ambassador (FIN21.464)

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

The British Embassy in Helsinki is part of a worldwide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for an Executive Assistant to the Ambassador.

The Executive Assistant is responsible for ensuring the efficient working of the Ambassador’s office.  As such, this is an exciting and interesting role at the heart of the Embassy.  

To deliver the job successfully, the Executive Assistant needs to have good organisational skills, an eye for detail and be able to multi-task and prioritise effectively.  The EA will also need to be able to develop and make good use of a wide range of contacts (including government, politics, business and civil society). 

The role works closely with colleagues across the whole Embassy and the Nordic Baltic Network of UK Posts.    

The jobholder will:

  • work very closely with the Ambassador, providing excellent PA support. This will include: liaison with all sections of the Embassy to provide advice on external engagement and events; arranging internal and external meetings; commissioning and collating briefing as required ; managing internal and external correspondence. The jobholder will work with the Residence and Events Manager to ensure effective management of the Ambassador’s diary;

  • lead on visit and programme arrangements for the Ambassador’s travel within Finland and internationally;

  • provide PA support to the Deputy Head of Mission (diary, visits etc.);

  • support the wider Embassy as required (e.g. corporate secretariat, setting up internal meetings, event liaison, logistics for incoming visitors, wider contribution to Embassy);

  • be the main point of contact for public enquiries to the Embassy;

  • provide backup cover on Residence and Events management, and on Consular work.

  • Strong communication skills, both written and oral, in Finnish and English (minimum C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages*).

  • Confidence to build and engage an effective network of contacts.

  • Attention to detail, strong organisational skills, including ability to prioritise.

  • Flexible, resilient under pressure, and decisive, with the ability to deliver quickly and to a high standard.

  • IT literacy including MS office (Teams, Excel, Outlook).

  • A collaborative approach to team working.

  • Understanding of current affairs/political environment.

  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.

  • Experience of working in an international context and/or experience in a political environment.

  • Experience in a related role (executive/personal assistant or office manager).

  • An understanding of UK culture and a desire and interest in learning more about the UK.

31 October 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Finland
Helsinki
British Embassy
1
EUR
€ 3344.89 ( monthly gross)
4 January 2022

This is a permanent position and the job can either be done full-time of 36.25 hours per week or 29 hours pro rata (4 days a week or equivalent). Working hours are Monday – Friday (9.00- 16.45).

The appointment is subject to professional background check, security clearance and the successful completion of a probationary period.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Finland are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Finnish employment law and FCDO guidance for Country Based Staff.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Finland and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

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.

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 position.

*Please refer to the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”. We are looking for a C1 level or equivalent. 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 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.