The British Embassy in Port-au-Prince is seeking a Head of Office for His Majesty’s Ambassador. This role will provide daily executive support to the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission. This will include management of diaries, liaising closely with the offices of senior government ministers and leading business figures, managing correspondence and providing office management functions and corporate support to the wider Embassy.

This is a challenging, varied, high profile and very interesting role in a small, high-performing team, working directly to the Deputy Head of Mission and closely with the British Ambassador. Your work with the Ambassador will provide exposure to some of the most important and high profile issues of the day. You will work closely with staff in the British Embassy in Santo Domingo, as well as with colleagues in London.

To deliver the job successfully, the Head of Office needs to have good organisational skills, excellent political judgement, the ability to develop and make good use of a network of contacts across a range of different fields (including government, politics, business and civil society). The ability to multi-task and work quickly under pressure, whilst keeping attention to detail, is also important.
The role would be suitable for either a more experienced professional or a recent graduate with the right skillset.

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, 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.

The Embassy’s working language is English and fluency is essential.

The main responsibilities of the position are as follows, although the jobholder may at times be required to take on other tasks and roles as required:

Management of the Ambassador’s office: this will include arranging meetings with a range of senior stakeholders, as well as dealing with internal and external correspondence (including letters, briefing requests and invitations).
Drafting complex visits programmes, working with external stakeholders including both Haitian government and other embassies to support frequent visits of UK diplomatic staff.
Providing strategic advice on diary priorities for the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission, establishing and maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of contacts in key offices across the public and private sectors, and using those relationships to make proactive policy recommendations on who to meet, and to secure timely meetings.
Managing Embassy contacts, being confident engaging very senior interlocutors, and maintaining a contacts database and a log of engagement to prioritise Embassy engagements.
Working with the Deputy Head of Mission on Embassy events, including invitation lists, VIP attendance and event logistics.
Other support for the Ambassador and Embassy as needed, for example provision of corporate support and day to day management of Embassy payments and suppliers, supporting meetings and events, involvement in the organisation of the King’s Birthday Party or protocol work.
Administration of the UK’s Chevening scholarship programme, including arranging and participating in the interview progress, promotion of the scheme and managing the relationship with the alumni association.
Resources managed:

Budget: Manage the budget for the Ambassador’s office/administration as well as the budget for projects related to the Chevening programme.

Excellent levels of English and French, covering reading, writing, speaking and listening, and an ability to switch between the two languages seamlessly.
Exceptional planning and organising skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, in writing and in person.
Ability to prioritise, effectively manage and execute multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Ability to demonstrate initiative and self-motivation.
A college/university level degree in a relevant field (e.g. politics, social sciences, economics, international relations, law, international business, etc) or equivalent experience.
Language: English and French
Level of language required: Excellent fluency in English and French (written and verbal) are essential.

At least 2 years of relevant experience in a similar or related role.
An understanding of UK culture and a desire and interest in learning more about the UK

The British Embassy is a friendly, inclusive workplace. Core office hours are 0800-1630 (Monday-Thursday) and 0800-1300 (Friday). Working hours many vary depending on event requirements and others.

The job is suitable for some flexible working and remote working from home. The nature of the role requires attendance at meetings and regular days in the office, but there is scope for flexible working modes, including remote working, depending on the specific needs of the role at a particular time.

Flexible working patterns would have to be agreed with the Line Manager in advance.

https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/brand-2/candidate/so/pm/4/pl/1/opp/18184-Head-of-Office-for-His-Majesty-s-Ambassador-Port-au-Prince/en-GB

2022-10-26