BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION GABORONE - Personal Assistant to the High Commissioner and Projects Officer

VACANCY NOTICE NO – 01/16
POSITION: Personal Assistant to the High Commissioner and Projects Officer
SECTION: Chancery


GRADE : A2
POSITION TYPE : Full time
SALARY : P13,539.00 per month

Main purpose of job:
To efficiently manage the High Commissioner’s office, to coordinate and manage High Commission events and in support of UK objectives in Botswana, and support the work of the wider Political, Prosperity and Communications Team.
Roles and responsibilities:


To efficiently manage the High Commissioner’s office, by handling the diary and request for meetings, ensuring that all correspondence (letters, emails, faxes, etc) is dealt with correctly, and dealing with routine enquiries. To provide similar support to the Deputy High Commissioner where required.

To oversee the staff of the High Commissioner’s Residence, and lead on the planning of events and functions such as the annual Queen’s Birthday Party and other smaller events.
To contribute to the work of the Political, Prosperity and Communications Team, taking the lead on managing specific small projects, acting as an interviewer for Chevening scholarship applicants, or other similar activities as time allows.
To act as the High Commission’s Information Management Officer ensuring that staff store and record information on shared systems appropriately, in order to strengthen team working.

Resources managed:
The jobholder will manage the small team that runs the High Commissioner’s Residence (currently 3 staff).
The job holder will also act as Treasurer for the Diplomatic Fund on behalf of the diplomatic corps, and will be responsible from time to time for specific project funds.
Key competences required:
• Making effective decisions
• Collaborating and partnering
• Leading and communicating
• Delivering at pace

Language requirements:
Good command of English language both written and spoken
Other skills / experience / qualifications:
Essential on arrival:
• Minimum A levels or equivalent
• Excellent interpersonal and contact making skills
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English
• Good organisational and planning skills
• Self starter
• Excellent IT skills – word; excel; various social media
Desirable:
• Previous experience in a relevant area such as international relations, office manager or similar
• Good network of contacts in Botswana relevant to the work of the High Commission
NOTE:
All applicants must be legally able to work in Country with the correct visa/status or work permit.


The British High Commission in Gaborone is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Gaborone are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Country.
Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.


Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.
If you have not heard from us 3 weeks after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. Any questions you may have about this position will only be answered during interview, should you be invited.

To Apply
Please read these notes carefully to ensure that your application is received and processed.
All applicants should submit a short (1 page maximum) covering letter stating why they are a suitable candidate for the position along with a copy of their CV (2 page maximum) in English, by email to: Recruitment.Africa9@fco.gov.uk
Internal candidates should also submit the above with a copy of their appraisals covering the past 24 months.

All candidates should use the following subject line for their email: Vacancy Notice: PA to High Commissioner and Projects Officer
Please submit only the requested documents. Please also ensure that your email including attachments is no larger than 2 megabytes, otherwise it may be rejected by your email system or the systems through which it will pass en route to us.
Internal candidates and spouses of UK diplomatic officers: Please quote in the subject line of your email, Vacancy Notice: PA to High Commissioner and Projects Officer
and also indicate that you are an internal candidate or the spouse of a diplomatic officer.

Applications will only be accepted by email.

The closing date is 26 February 2016 and no further applications will be accepted after this date.