View Vacancy - Military Secretariat Assistant

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 Defence Staff (BDS) Corporate Services is responsible for managing the provision of support functions to enable BDS US to undertake its mission of enhancing the UK-US defence and security relationships. It comprises of five functional areas; Information Services, Business Services, Finance, Business Planning and USA Support Group.

The USA Support Group (USA Sp Gp) is responsible for the administration of all defence personnel and their dependants posted to, or serving in, the USA. It is organised along four functional areas; In Country Support (Civ), In Country Support (Mil), Healthcare & Education, and Accommodation.

Working with the Military HR Team the successful candidate will be the main focal point for Service HR Appraisals, Honours and Awards, and Resettlement on termination of service for military personnel posted in the USA. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • To produce and maintain Service HR Appraisal Databases for the Defence Attaché and all Single Service Attaches/Personnel within the British Embassy.
  • Liaison with the defence Global Administrative Unit (GAU) based in the United Kingdom on all HR Appraisal matters, initiate and manage Service HR Appraisals as necessary.
  • Assist Service Personnel based across the US complete the HR Appraisals in the absence of access to the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) IT system.
  • Liaison with the UK based Army Headquarters, RAF Manning and Navy Promotions offices on all MS matters.
  • Liaison with US Department of Defence regarding submissions of nominations for US Military
  • & UK Military nominations for their respective national Honours and Awards.
  • Liaison with the public on all historical enquiries including unit affiliations, tracing old comrades, war graves & Honours and Awards for past service.
  • Act as the liaison between British Defence Staff personnel for processing of Resettlement, Enhanced Learning Credits & Standard Learning Credits documentation and as a conduit to the resettlement agencies in the UK.
  • Assist with discharge procedures for all Service Personnel in BDS in the absence of the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) IT system.
  • Collate and maintain a central database of job specifications and the administration of regular reviews.
  • Monitor promotion and appointment nominations boards for BDSUS personnel appointments. 
  • At least two years experience in a professional support staff role.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) is essential.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as time management skills and attention to detail.  
  • Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team.
  • A self-starter - able to work independently and show initiative with limited supervision while operating as part of a wider US/UK team (with wide-ranging objectives).
  • Excellent organizational skills are a necessity.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced team and under tight deadlines.
  • Previous experience with the Joint Personnel Administration IT system (JPA)/military is desirable but not essential.
  • Be trustworthy and discreet in dealing with highly sensitive personal data.

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A or NATO visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

*A visas or NATO visas with EAD cards are acceptable at the Embassy, Consulates, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts.  The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas.

5 October 2016
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
19.08
21 November 2016

Must be Eligible for a criminal and credit and background check and have an independent work authorization in the United States and status in accordance with United States protocol directives for foreign missions.

Resume and cover letter should be submitted by 05 October 2016. Internal candidates must address their resumes through the Head of Group before applying.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

 

The British Embassy is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a diverse workforce.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or other category protected by 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.