View Vacancy - Protocol, Visits and Event Officer

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)

The British Government’s Defence Section (BDSUS) at the British Embassy in Washington DC has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and detail orientated person to join the Visits and Events Team as Visits & Events Officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working at the forefront organising all visits to Washington by Ministers, British Defence Officials, Ministers, Parliamentary Committees, and senior officials.  The position offers unique exposure to UK and US Government leaders and procedures of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

This is a chance to directly contribute to the way in which both Governments collaborate and negotiate on Defence. The work of the Visits and Events Section spans the broad spectrum of the Embassy’s activity.   The Visits Section is part of the Defence Attaché’s Executive Office, and the Ambassador takes a keen interest in the work of the Defence Section

The ideal candidate will have experience working with the Government of the UK, particularly in Defence and be a team player, with the ability to be shift focus and resolve conflicting priorities at pace, be a clear communicator, unphased by dealing with senior government representatives and a team player.

 

Roles and responsibilities

  • Take responsibility for all aspects of the organisation of individual visits to include scheduling meetings, arranging transportation and accommodation, coordinating security clearances and more.
  • Accompany some visitors, meet some visitors on arrival, and see some visitors off on departure (this involves occasional work in the evenings or weekends).
  • Maintain useful contacts among hotels, airlines, transport companies and other vendors.
  • Arrange security clearances for visiting Protection Officers, diplomatic overflight clearances, and port clearances for VIPs.
  • Arrange payment of invoices.
  • Cover for the Head of Protocol, Event and Visits during vacation leave.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

 Resources managed: Volunteer, budgets for events.

 


 

 

 


  • High degree of knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Outlook and SharePoint. 
  • Ability to work flexible hours due to the requirement to work on occasions, evenings and weekends in support of visit programmes.
  • The ideal candidate would have some knowledge of the British civil service, British culture and protocol, Congress and US Administration.
  • Excellent level of English required in speaking and writing.

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.


  •  Knowledge of Event and VIP visit management is highly desirable.
  • A minimum of 5 years' relevant experience in a busy office environment is required. A previous role in meeting and event planning, logistics and / or executive assistance is preferred.
  • The successful candidate must be very organized, detail-oriented, personable, and able to work under their own initiative. Additionally, the successful candidate must be a strong team player with excellent problem solving and judgement.
Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
23 March 2023
Administrative Officer (AO)
Permanent
40 Hours
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
$24.96
18 May 2023

Learning and development opportunities 

On taking up post you will have to complete Data Protection training which is mandated for this post as well as in house training on Defence IT.  The learning and development opportunities, including through formal training courses, are excellent. The job provides scope to broaden knowledge and experience through getting involved in the breadth of UK/US Defence Engagement.

Working patterns 

Requires standard working pattern of 40 hours per week but does not require set working hours each day as evening and weekend working is a requirement of this position but some flexible working may be considered in consultation with the line manager.

 The post holder must be able to start work immediately once relevant clearances have been obtained.

 

 

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.