View Vacancy - Executive Assistant to the Consul General

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 (Policy & Political roles)
Private Office

Main purpose of job:

Action words and phrases rather than passive ones (e.g.: The candidate is responsible for delivery abc vs Abc will be a priority delivery for the candidate)

The British Consulate-General in Atlanta has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and creative person to join the team as Executive Assistant to the Consul General. This opportunity is a rewarding role at the very heart of the Consulate, with an opportunity to influence our work across the southeast United States, work directly with senior leaders and support our public diplomacy and outreach in an exciting market.  The Consulate works to build political relationships, promote trade and investment links, protect British interests, people and values, and to develop wider relationships between the UK and Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.

This role will provide direct support to our incoming Consul General as she leads a cross-government team in Atlanta. In addition to being her EA, the jobholder will have support colleagues on communications and public diplomacy activities.

The candidate will be exposed to and develop relationships with senior political, business and academic leaders. Whilst this position does involve administrative duties, the successful candidate will work proactively to join together work across the consulate, with a particular focus on supporting the Political, Press, and Public Affairs team (PPPA) to develop initiatives, strategies, and policies.

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. 

Please list out the main roles and responsibilities critical to successful performance in role.  Refrain from acronyms as candidates may not know what these mean and they can be confusing. 

Roles and responsibilities:

The jobholder will be the first point of external contact for the Consul General (CG). This person will support her diplomatic efforts through the following:

·       Support to the Consul-General

Manage the CG’s diary, prioritising inquiries and invitations. Secure timely briefings and assist in the preparation for public engagements. Maintain the CG’s contact database and other records. Accompany the CG to important meetings, document and identify action points, ensuring follow up.

·       Strategic Contact Management

With direction from the CG and Head of Political, Press and Public Affairs, identify priority contacts across the region to deliver the strategic engagement programme. Set up meetings and regional visits, ensure timely follow-up and continuing relationship management by the CG.

·       Communications and Public Diplomacy

Assist the Political, Press and Public Affairs team in developing programmes, communications strategies and events. Working with the Residence Manager, organise logistics for events at the CG’s Official Residence. Negotiate with suppliers and caterers; manage invitations; and assist in day-of duties and hosting.

·       Crisis/Emergency Management

Participate in crisis training and exercising and be part of the Consulate-wide team in the event of a crisis.

·       Administrative Support

Offer administrative support to the CG, completing expense claims; arranging travel; and similar tasks. Support the PPPA team in the development and administration of public diplomacy initiatives.

 This role will manage the Consul General’s travel and entertainment budget.

Essential on arrival:

  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to communicate at all levels.
  • Excellent problem solving skills, sound judgement, common sense and the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure.
  • Strong interpersonal skills - a team player with the ability to work with others and integrate fully into a wider network.

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 Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.  

Desirable:

  • A strong interest in politics, international affairs and/or international trade.
  • Experience of events management and/or strategic communications work
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
19 July 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Atlanta
British Consulate General
1
USD
$24.01
5 September 2022

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communciating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

This role is full time, 40 hours per week, but does not require set working hours each day.

The UK government’s US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home twice if week if desired.  We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

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 committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion 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.