View Vacancy - Community Liaison Officer (Maternity Cover)

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

The British Embassy in Muscat is looking for a dynamic team player to take up the position of Community Liaison Officer, job grade Administrative Officer (AO), to cover a staff on maternity leave for six (6) months.

The successful candidate will work closely with Post Management for the well-being of all staff at Post, with primary function as advocate for and provision of support to UK-based staff and families on family and community issues, principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare and communication. 

This role reports to the Head of Corporate Services.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Welfare at Post: Welcoming all staff and accompanying families on arrival to Post and to ensure a smooth integration as possible into the life of the Post community. One of the key objectives of the role is to build inclusive relationships with All staff and develop, plan and co-ordinate various multi-faith community wide initiatives. The officer has a key role in supporting the arrival and departure process of new and leaving (UK based) staff and their families and works collectively with the Corporate Services Team, ensuring high standards.  This includes making sure that housing is ready and a domestic equipment float is provide. The officer is a source of referral and supports where questions, problems and difficulties arise.
  2. The role establishes different forms of communication for staff and spouses/partners across Post including dedicated WhatsApp group and is involved in the organisation of social events during the year.
  3. Information gathering: Collecting (pre posting) information and informing UK-Based officers, their spouses/partners and families on flexible deployment, spouse/partner employment, child care, child and adult education, career and training opportunities, single officer and foreign born spouse/partner issues, recreational facilities and local social matters. The officer ensures relevant information sources, Post reports and facts sheets (such as, Cost of Living Reports) are kept up to date and distributed where needed.
  4. Information gathering for UK-Based officers and their spouses/partners and families, and Country-based Staff on flexible deployment (including for those not yet at Post). To include (where applicable) information primarily on spouse/partner employment at Post; children's education (through completion  of information sheets for Authorised School and Nurseries at Post and remain a link between schools and Post; A comprehensive information pack on childcare at post, feedback on adult education; career and training opportunities; single officer and foreign born spouse/partner issues; recreational facilities; social matters; and completion of DSFA Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Report.
  5. Advocate for UK-based staff and families in addressing community and social matters of importance with Post Management, including representation in different Post committees, involvement in evacuation/contingency planning and platform committees and being the chief link between Post and the Diplomatic Services Family Association (DSFA) in London.
  6. Confidentiality: Confidential or sensitive information may be shared with the CLO who should be discreet and observe confidentiality. CLOs may also signpost staff to medical support if necessary.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key Behaviours:

The candidate will need to demonstrate the following competencies and the values of who we are during the interview:

  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.

Our Values:

Wherever we work in the world, we share a set of values that guides our decision-making, sets standards for our behaviour and helps us deliver the UK's national interest internationally.

These values are underpinned by the UK Civil Service values (Integrity, Honesty, Objectivity, Impartiality) and complemented by values all One HMG colleagues bring from their own department, service or administration.

  • Fluency in English, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Experience of living in Muscat for  at least one (1) year
  • Must hold a valid driving licence with own transport.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills. Approachable, empathetic, resilient, and discreet.
  • Has a high standard of personal presentation and is able to act with discretion at all times. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with stakeholders.
  • Excellent organisational skills and attention to details. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work under pressure. Ability to work and act without close supervision.
  • Strong customer focus and responsive to customer needs and able to treat others with respect and courtesy regardless of work pressures.
  • Skilled at working within a team-oriented, collaborative environment. Able to work effectively and supportively with colleagues, both individually and in teams.
  • Able to work on own initiative following compulsory rules and procedures.
  • Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and internet-based applications.
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
26 March 2023
Administrative Officer (AO)
Part-Time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
21
Middle East & North Africa
Oman
Muscat
British Embassy
1
OMR
491.040
7 May 2023

Eligibility:

  1. The successful candidate must hold or must be able to secure a local work permit in Muscat.
  2. The British Embassy provides Visa Sponsorship. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

Working Conditions and Remuneration:

The Embassy offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for the role, including a non-negotiable salary of 491.040 Omani Riyals per month inclusive of all allowances; and use of on-site recreational facilities including a swimming pool and social club.

This position is for a part-time employment, on a fixed-term contract for six (6) months with a possibility of extension, to cover a staff on maternity leave, subject to a 3-month probationary period.

This part-time role is for 21 hours per week. Working days and core hours will be agreed with line manager prior to start date. However, the successful candidate may sometimes be required to work outside normal working hours.

Standard working hours are 0730 to 1430 Sunday to Thursday.

Holiday entitlement is 30 days per year (on a pro rata basis) following successful completion of a 3-month probation period. Holidays that have already been booked will be honoured. There are also national holidays determined annually by the Embassy, which usually total 14 days per year.

The successful candidate will have to attend the CLO Course as soon as possible after completing probation to help them fully meet the demands of the job.

Employment in the advertised position is dependent on the potential employee having or acquiring valid UK security clearance. Security clearances can take several weeks to process. Inability to obtain a clearance will preclude employment. Loss of a security clearance at any time will lead to termination of employment.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 2) motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role in the relevant sections of the online application; and 3) examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.

Closing date of receiving applications is on 26 March 2023 by 23:55 (local time).

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered. Telephone applications and enquiries will not be accepted.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks. 

The successful applicant's employment will only be confirmed after the completion of any security clearance/checks. The checks can take several weeks to complete and the applicant will only be employed if the UK security clearance is granted.

 

The British Embassy Muscat is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.  Staffs recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Muscat Employment Law.

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.