View Vacancy - Corporate Support Officer (TUR20.373)

Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

The British Consulate General in Istanbul is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Corporate Support Officer.

The Corporate Services Team provides support to staff from around 12 UK Government departments across the Turkey network (Ankara, Istanbul and five coastal posts). The job holder will manage the forward programme of internal communications based on the corporate calendar, rhythm of Board meetings and project time lines.

The job holder will lead on Learning and Development communications and activities, setting committee meetings and collecting training bids for evaluation, working in close coordination with the HR Manager.

They will provide administrative support to the Turkey Network Board (e.g. arranging meetings, circulating agendas, taking minutes of meetings, tracking follow up actions) to ensure that the Board operates effectively and efficiently.

The job holder will provide logistical and planning support to incoming VIP and other visits. From time to time, the job holder will be asked to do ad hoc translation duties in official visits and meetings, and also provide some support to the Deputy Consul General and the Consul General including through providing cover for the Consul General’s Personal Assistant.

Although based in Istanbul, the job holder will be expected to spend some time in Ankara.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Internal Communications – you will plan and issue internal communications across the Turkey Network (The Embassy in Ankara, the Consulate General in Istanbul and the coastal posts in Izmir, Antalya, Marmaris, Fethiye and Bodrum). You will draw up forward plans based on the corporate calendar and Board timings, as well as any other important announcements, and arrange events for the senior leadership e.g. all-staff meetings, focus groups, consultations. You will produce regular newsletters including creating and collating content in English and in Turkish, and gather feedback on the effectiveness of internal communications. You will own and manage the Turkey Network’s internal SharePoint site. You will assist the incoming Consul General with their internal communications, and conduct Induction Training sessions for all new staff;
• Learning & Development (L&D) – in support of the Turkey Network L&D Lead, you will promote Learning and Development activities across the Network, making access to L&D opportunities fairer and more transparent, and support this through a visible Committee that represents all staff in the Turkey Network. You will help to improve our L&D offer to the entire Network by using the L&D Fund more strategically and communicating the work of the L&D Committee;
• Secretary to Turkey Network Board – the Network Board is the main corporate decision making forum for the Turkey Network. Your role will involve planning and arranging Board meetings, preparing a quarterly performance dashboard, taking and circulating the record of meetings, and following up on actions with the individuals responsible to ensure that they are completed. You will be expected to plan ahead while remaining flexible to last minute changes;
• 1HMG Liaison – around 12 different UK government Departments are represented in the British Embassy Turkey Network. The Corporate Services Team provides support to all staff, and your role will include follow up to the regular customer service satisfaction surveys and ensuring that all reasonable expectations are met;
• Visits – working alongside the Istanbul-based Protocol Officer and the Ankara-based Visits Officer you will be responsible for arranging visit programmes and logistics for incoming VIP and other visitors to Istanbul. This can include working at unsocial hours – for example you may be asked to meet visitors on arrival at Istanbul airport late at night (transport will be provided). Providing consecutive translations in official meetings;
• Translation – from time to time you may be asked to translate either from Turkish to English or English to Turkish, so you will need to have a good command of both languages and the ability to translate accurately;
• Administrative Support – You will provide professional administrative support e.g. diary management, booking meetings and travel and assisting with budget management to the Deputy Consul General, and provide cover for the PA to the Consul General.

• Fluency in English and Turkish (both oral and written);
• Previous administrative experience in an office environment;
• Strong IT computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office, Internet;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a strong customer focus;
• Ability to work with contacts and colleagues at all levels;
• Personal drive and the ability to be a self-starter as well as a team player;
• Strong organizational, analytical and time management skills, with very good attention to detail;
• Ability to travel occasionally within the region or internationally as needed (approximately 5-10% of the time);
• Willingness to work additional hours as necessary.
• Ability to work unsupervised.