The British High Commission (BHC) Accra has a vacancy for an LE3 Communications and Political Assistant. The position supports both the Communications and Political Teams to promote the BHC’s work in Ghana. The day-to-day tasks will include the full range of typical administrative tasks to support lead officers in high-profile parts of the BHC, but with significant engagement and liaison with the BHC’s external contacts. The Communications and Political Assistant will report to the Communications Officer.

The main elements of the job include:

•  Arranging visits and meetings
•  Event management
•  Taking minutes and other records
•  Attending events and reporting back
•  Initial drafting of media releases and other communication tools, including web-site content
•  Media scanning and analysis, including trend-spotting
•  Managing the BHC photo library
•  Assisting with management of the BHC’s internet and intranet sites
•  Managing the BHC’s political and media contacts databases, including preparing personality reports
•  Liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office over corporate communications messages and media platforms (including post web-site)
•  Assisting with project management, including book-keeping and maintaining records

The successful applicant will need to:

•  Observe the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s diversity and equality policies
•  Show some flexibility over working hours

Information for applicants:

•  The monthly salary range for LE3 positions in the BHC is GHc1,353 (rising in increments of GHc59 based on performance) to a maximum of GHc2,179. The starting salary will be GHc1,353.
•  The appointment will be offered initially on a 1 year contract, and subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period. Thereafter, the appointment will be renewed for periods of 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance, by mutual agreement.

Qualification Required & Experience

The skills/attributes of the successful applicant will include:

•  Prioritising in a fast-paced work environment, working between teams, assuming responsibility for tasks with minimum supervision, delivering to deadlines
•  Supporting creative and innovative approaches to projecting the UK Government’s engagement with Ghana
•  Communicating skills, including drafting and proof-reading
•  Knowledge of the Ghana media and Ghana government publicity machinery
•  Strong IT skills, notably the Microsoft Office package, and publishing software

The successful applicant is likely to have one or more of:

•  Received specialised training in press and publications and/or communications
•  Workplace experience of  progressively increasing responsibility as a journalist, sub-editor or public relations specialist
•  Familiarity with administrative support and office procedures
•  Knowledge of Ghana’s media, political, economic, social and educational environments, including key institutions and persons in business and government
•  Familiarity with UK Government institutions

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Candidates should complete an application form, which can be found on this link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-high-commission-accra/about/recruitment add their CVs plus one-page cover letter to completed application form and send for the attention of:

HR Manager
British High Commission
Osu Link, off Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue
PO Box 296
Accra

with the envelope clearly marked LEIII PCA

or to this email address: Jobs.BHCAccra@fco.gov.uk

Closing Date: 21 May, 2013

Regrettably only those candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted soon after. The successful applicant will be expected to start work as soon as possible thereafter.

The successful applicant will need to pass (or have passed) an internal security clearance process.

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate that they meet the necessary requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana, and to pass (or have passed) a BHC internal security clearance process.

The British High Commission Accra is an Equal Opportunities Employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

More information about the work of the British High Commission in Ghana can be found at http://ukinghana.fco.gov.uk/en/