View Vacancy - Defence Section Assistant A2/AO (17/21 ACC)

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.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
MOD (Ministry of Defence)

Purpose of the Job:

The administrator will be part of a three strong team that support the UK’s defence relationship with Ghana; it is led by the Defence Advisor (DA).  Day to day tasks range from office based administrative support, liaison with external Defence Section contacts, secretarial duties and diary keeping for the DA.  The Defence Section Administrator (DSA): 1. Has a dynamic and important role in in keeping the DA and Assistant of Defence Advisor (ADA) appraised of pre-planned courses and student movements; 2.  Assists with the coordination of wider defence section tasks. The DSA will report to the ADA.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Liaise and work in person and in writing with Ghana Armed Forces, UK DAs in West Africa and the UK MOD’s training directorates, training institutions and international training development teams, to facilitate UK Ministry of Defence-sponsored courses in the UK, overseas and in Ghana; this includes administration arrangements, travel plans and other relevant matters.
  • Assist with compassionate, visa and welfare issues for Ghanaian nationals serving in the UK Armed Forces.
  • Compiling visit programmes for Defence Section events, including ships visits, training teams, military exercises, deployments and other defence-related visitors to Ghana.
  • Assist with the organisation of Defence Section or wider High Commission events.
  • Assisting the hosting of visitors to the Defence Section.
  • Electronic file management, maintaining and updating spreadsheets for all UK based courses, flights, medical and Defence Section movements, their standing operating procedures, and Defence Section contact lists.
  • Personal Assistant duties to the DA as required to including diary management.
  • Occasional attendance at official social/ceremonial events on behalf of the Defence Section.
  • Routine tasks in support of the wider High Commission, including some diplomatic bag and mail duties.
  • Appraise the DA and ADA weekly/daily of progress, issues and challenges.
  • Strong team member, able to work within a multicultural organisation who has the confidence to appraise the DA and ADA
  • A confident administrator who is self-organised, professional with formal and informal written and verbal communication ability and strong administrative skills
  • Ability to prioritise, multitask and deliver to deadlines following system processes for tasks with minimum supervision in a face-paced environment
  • Supporting creative and innovative approaches to projecting the UK’s defence engagement with Ghana  
  • Strong proficiency to use Microsoft Office and reporting tools
  • Discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive information
  • Flexibility and adaptability when work strands change
  • Fluent English
  • Delivering within a fast pace department, engaging internationally, strong organisational and communication skills, accurate record/administrative documentation/record keeping, and attention to detail whilst working under pressure. A sound knowledge of Microsoft and office based IT, confidence to appraise during weekly meeting whilst working closely within a small team.
  • A knowledge of defence or military matters, and/or associated working environments
  • Ability to communicate in French considered an asset.
1 November 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
24 months
Africa
Ghana
Accra
British High Commission
1
GHS equivalent to USD 664.42
5 January 2022

Learning and development opportunities:

The British High Commission places a lot of value on supporting the development of its staff, and making sure there is time and support given to learning and development activities. There are many opportunities to take this forward, either through face-to-face training, group learning sets or e-learning. The High Commission is home to our regional learning and development team, who organise an ongoing agenda of activities, which you would be welcome to become involved in. In some cases, the High Commission can also support staff to undertake professional qualifications.

Working patterns:

This is a full time position.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently operating flexibility in working patterns, with many staff choosing to work from home for at least part of the week.

  • 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.