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.

Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Job Subcategory: Corporate Services Support

Main purpose of job:

The main purpose of this job is to support the British High Commission (BHC) community. The CLO is a critical role for the BHC. He/she helps UK-based officers and their families as they prepare for a posting in Ghana, as they settle in, and throughout their stay in Ghana.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Welcome all new UK staff and families joining the High Commission, from being helpful contact during pre-deployment, to welcoming them in the their first few days and introducing them to Accra, and continuing to be a friendly face as they settle in.
• Provide information to UK-based officers and their families – from all departments and the British Council – on issues such as spouse/partner employment in Ghana, child and adult education, career and training opportunities, recreational facilities & social matters.
• Organise welcome tours for new UK-based officers including schools and supermarkets
• Assist new staff with information on schooling options in Accra, and help them select an appropriate school for their children. As well as maintain a good relationship with schools.
• Maintain a Welcome Pack of useful information and update the Post Report regularly.
• Manage the CLO Accra Mailbox.
• Provide advice on health and welfare issues to officers and their families – including issues that single officers and foreign-born spouses may have. As well as take up welfare role during a crisis.
• Be an advocate and voice for UK-based staff and their families in the BHC – in particular on the Post Housing and Security Committees.
• Act as liaison point for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA), including completion of DSFA returns and maintenance of databases, completing the COLA questionnaire twice a year and assisting with IDS orders.
• Act as a hub for community and social events, communicate these to UK-based and local staff and help organise events that knit the community together.
• Maintain the UK-based staff emergency contact (telephone tree) list, and supporting the BHC during any crises or emergencies.
• Work with the Deputy High Commissioner to introduce changes or new ideas that improve life for UK staff in Ghana.
• Work on arrival plans for UK-based officers and their families.
• Manage and deploy float for new UK-based officers.
• Check accommodation for UK-based officers.
• Liaise with the Corporate Services Helpdesk regarding arrival of new UK-based officers etc.
• Act as CLO Representative of the Grasscutters Committee.
• Manage contacts and WhatsApp Groups for UK-based officers.
• Prepare and share CLO Newsletter.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Prioritise well, working between teams, assuming responsibility for tasks with minimum supervision.
• Have excellent judgement and emotional intelligence, with clear self-awareness and an understanding of verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Be approachable, open, pro-active when required, honest, caring, friendly and a good listener.
• Be comfortable in possession of sensitive or personal information, and the associated need for discretion.
• Represent spouse/family issues at meetings.
• Have experience of, or a willingness to learn quickly about, the UK and Ghanaian cultures.
• Observe the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s diversity and equality policies.
• Be flexible – hours can otherwise be unpredictable.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Ability to understand and speak any Ghanaian dialect is a bonus.

Required behaviours: Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Application deadline: 22 June 2022

Grade: Administrative Officer (AO)

Type of Position: Permanent

Working hours per week: 35

Region: Africa

Country/Territory: Ghana

Location (City): Accra

Type of Post: British High Commission

Number of vacancies: 1

Salary: GHS equivalent to USD 664.42

Start Date: 1 July 2022

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Learning and development opportunities:

The British High Commission in Ghana takes learning and development seriously. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop many core and transferable skills through both formal and informal learning and development opportunities. Members of staff are encouraged to make use of the learning and development opportunities that the office has to offer.

Additional information

All applicants must be legally able to work in Ghana with the correct visa/status or work permit.

The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana.

The British High Commission in Accra is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in Accra are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ghanaian employment law.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: 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.

Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5.

Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.