View Vacancy - BK - Community Liaison Officer (CLO), AO

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)
Community Liaison

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy Bangkok is a large diplomatic mission of around 160 staff delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives including on prosperity, trade, security, open societies, consular services and law enforcement. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team.

You will work closely with the senior management team in Bangkok to provide pastoral and welfare support to UK based (UKB) staff and families from all government departments. You will need to gather information and provide support before the arrival of new UKB staff and during their diplomatic posting. You will report to the Deputy Head of Mission (DHM) but will need to be able to work independently and prioritise your workload to ensure that UK based staff, partners and family members receive the right level of support. You will need to be approachable and sympathetic, but also robust where necessary, for example when managing expectations. You may be the recipient of confidential/sensitive information so you must be discreet and observe confidentiality. You will need to escalate issues to senior management at the Embassy and seek outcomes.

Other elements of the role include gathering information on healthcare, education and the cost of living in Bangkok, compiling reports and sharing them with senior leadership and the FCDO in London. You will also lead on Embassy social events, co-ordinating with other members of the team to deliver successful and collaborative experiences. The successful candidate will have strong inter-personal skills, with a strong focus on delivering excellent customer service focus. You will liaise with outside partners and be the Embassy contact for some external stakeholders, often with senior staff, so you must be confident with communicating with staff of all levels.

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

The successful candidate will be energetic and enthusiastic and must be able to confidently work autonomously to a high standard, as well as collaboratively with several busy teams. They will be knowledgeable of FCDO policies and guidance in relation to their areas of expertise, and they must also be approachable, empathetic, and resilient. 

Welfare and community support

  • Ensuring a smooth arrival and integration into the Embassy community for staff and families on diplomatic postings to Bangkok.
  • Providing a short orientation to life in Bangkok and the Embassy community and following up to ensure that the settling in process is working.
  • Acting as a source of formal and informal support and onward referral for diplomatic posted staff and family members where questions, problems and difficulties arise, including advising on how to seek further help for sensitive personal issues maintaining confidentiality over sensitive/personal issues.
  • Advocate for UKB staff and families in addressing issues of importance with Embassy management, including participation as the family/community representative on the Post Housing Committee, Health & Safety Committee, Elephant and Castle Committee and as the main link between Post and the Diplomatic Service Families Association in London (who work with the FCDO to implement and monitor policies affecting families).
  • Supporting and advising the DHM to ensure positive cohesion and welfare across the Embassy community.

Information gathering and communication

  • Collating and sharing information on issues of concern to posted staff, spouses and families, including children’s education; spouse/partner education, career and training opportunities; social and recreational opportunities and medical facilities, including information sharing with families before they arrive.
  • Researching relevant information and completing corporate returns and reports as required, including School and Nursery Information Sheets of authorised schools at Post; Schools Information Sheet (SIS); DSFA Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Report; Cost of Living Allowance survey; annual school fees estimate.
  • Keeping the Post Welcome Pack, Post Report and Post Factsheet up to date, to ensure that all information is correct.
  • Publishing a regular CLO newsletter, with a community/ UKB focus, containing information on social matters and information on living in Thailand.

Education support

  • Supporting UK-based staff to secure places at schools and tutors when needed, including provision of information in advance, giving clear notice of deadlines and liaising with the schools as necessary. Checking and authorisation of education invoices

Other

  • Lead and support on organising of Embassy social events (i.e., nonofficial events) including Christmas and ad hoc social and family events.
  • Participate in organisation of key Embassy-wide official events.
  • Leading the welfare team in a crisis, ensuring staff are trained and equipped, organising all rotas for shift work and maintaining an up-to-date contact list for UKB dependents and acting as a line of communication between Embassy management and families on emergency planning.

In times of peak operation demand, work flexibly within the Section and within the Embassy 
 
All staff will be expected to make a corporate contribution to the smooth running of the British Embassy, either through a committee membership or another voluntary role.

Please note that it is likely that any non-Thai national who is successful in securing a role within the Embassy will need to leave the country and re-enter with a specific type of visa. Whilst the Embassy can support you with this process, the costs involved will need to be met by the candidate.

  • Experience of working in challenging customer facing environments, where you have used your resilience, patience and adaptability in often challenging, difficult and stressful situations
  • Excellent English written and verbal communication skills with  the ability to communicate at all levels
  • Ability to take responsibility for the quality of own work and keep managers informed of how your work is progressing
  • Have sound judgement, critical thinking and problem solving skills to manage customer expectations
  • Ability to work at pace in an environment where priorities change to effectively prioritise, manage and execute multiple tasks within tight deadlines
  • Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn FCDO systems
  • Understanding of and commitment to protection of personal data 

Language requirements: 

Language: Excellent written and spoken English

Level of language required: IELTS level 8 or equivalent.

  • Knowledge of Bangkok and Thailand
  • A good understanding of issues arising from overseas relocation
  • Ability to navigate complex corporate policies
  • Knowledge of FCO policies and procedures
  • Welfare support experience
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
31 May 2023
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
36
Asia Pacific
Thailand
Bangkok
British Embassy
1
THB
THB 45,569
17 July 2023

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

The British Embassy Bangkok encourages all staff to develop their capabilities, through both formal training (courses) and informal (job-shadowing, coaching, on-the-job training etc.). The majority of our formal L&D opportunities are drawn from FCDO resources. All staff are encouraged to share their skills and experience with colleagues, through informal training (‘lunch & learn’) or coaching/mentoring. All staff are eligible for 5 L&D days a year.

WORKING PATTERNS:

This is a full-time role - 36 hours/week, Monday to Friday.

We are currently operating a hybrid working pattern (some time working in the office, some time working from home).

The Embassy has a smarter working policy and is committed to offering flexible working patterns balanced with the operational requirements of the role. In crisis/emergency situations you may need to work as required to support the Embassy response, sometimes on a shift pattern working which may result in unsociable hours and/or weekend working.  
  
As an inclusive employer we are happy to discuss alternative working patterns at interview or at the point of any job offer

The British Embassy offers a competitive compensation package including a guaranteed 13th month pay, 20 days paid annual leave (calculated on a pro-rata basis if you join after 1 January), extensive medical insurance and access to a guaranteed 5 days of learning opportunities a year.  

ANY OTHER INFORMATION: 

Please note that it is likely that any non-Thai national who is successful in securing a role within the Embassy will need to leave the country and re-enter with a specific type of visa if currently living in Thailand or will need to apply for a visa before travelling here if currently based outside of Thailand. Whilst the Embassy can support you with this process, the costs involved will need to be met by the candidate.
  
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.  

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, 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.
      
The British Embassy offers a competitive compensation package including a guaranteed 13th month pay, 20 days paid annual leave (calculated on a pro-rata basis if you join after 1 January), extensive medical insurance and access to a guaranteed 5 days of learning opportunities a year.  

The British Embassy Bangkok promotes the following values: 

  • Collaboration     We support each other and are inclusive 
                              We work closely with others to deliver 
  • Empowerment   We are innovative and adaptive 
                              We achieve a healthy work-life balance, taking advantage of hybrid working
  • Expertise           We build on and champion our diverse skills and expertise 
                              We draw on data, technology and evidence
  • Respect             We build trust and value differences 
                              We invite and appreciate other perspectives
  • Impact               We take a strategic approach 
                              We prioritise and are all clear on expectations 

Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.  

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
 
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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.