The British High Commission (BHC) Accra works to support the UK Government’s foreign policy objectives in Ghana and has a vacancy for a Personal Assistant in the High Commissioner’s Office.

The job holder will provide secretarial and administrative support to the High Commissioner (HC) and Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) and engage with a range of key stakeholders in Ghana government, other diplomatic missions, NGOs, UK Government as well as BHC sections. The High Commissioner is also non-resident Ambassador to Burkina Faso and Togo, and has wider regional responsibilities.  The job holder will report to the High Commissioner.

The successful candidate would be expected to start in February 2013.

The main elements of the job include:

•  Managing HC’s and DHC’s diaries effectively and efficiently.  Responding to invitations, liaising with other stakeholders
•  General office duties.  Dealing with visitors, telephone calls, all general enquiries to the office
•  Managing the office information system, including paper and electronic record-keeping
•  Responsible for assisting with the organising of programmes for official visitors coming to Ghana.  Routine tasks on behalf of the wider High Commission including some diplomatic bag and mail duties
•  Liaising with Residence Manager on issues relating to functions, invitations, visitors and give support concerning guests list and social events.  To act as point of contact in the absence of the Residence Manager concerning invitations social events
•  Management of contacts database and high priority invitation lists
•  Responding to and drafting routine correspondence
•  Arranging programmes for HC’s travel in Ghana and overseas including producing expense claims
•  In HC’s and DHC’s absence (leave/official travel) to manage the office (i.e. inbox, diary, calls, letters) ensuring that the relevant people are informed/represented etc

Information for applicants:
The monthly salary range for LE3 positions in the BHC starts at GHc1314 rising to a maximum of GHc2056. The starting salary will be Ghc1314, plus an additional 30% of salary as responsibility allowance and the possibility of gaining performance pay awards.  The British High Commission’s conditioned working hours are 35 hours per week (net) and staff are entitled to 26 days paid leave per year plus 14 public holidays.  Staff also benefit from medical cover and access to learning and development opportunities.

The appointment will be offered 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, assuming responsibility for tasks with minimum supervision and delivering to deadlines
•  Strong self-organisation, ability to be flexible and resilient
•  Excellent team player
•  Communication and influencing skills, including excellent drafting and proof-reading in English, including records of meetings
•  Ability to maintain high-level contacts with UK Government departments, Government of Ghana offices, BHC staff, members of other diplomatic missions as well as members of the public
•  Comfortable dealing with sensitive issues, and therefore the ability to be highly ethical and discreet
•  Strong IT skills using Microsoft software
•  Knowledge of the UK and of UK government would be an advantage
•  Knowledge of French would be an advantage

The successful applicant will need to:

•  Undergo a rigorous security clearance process. Confirmation of appointment is subject to the award of security clearance
•  Observe the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s diversity and equality policies
•  Show some flexibility over working hours, as they may on rare occasion be unsociable

How To Apply For The Job

Candidates should send their CV and application form which can be obtained from this link:  http://ukinghana.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/our-high-commission/working-for-us/ for the attention of:

HR Manager
British High Commission
PO Box 296
Accra

with the envelope clearly marked LE3 PA/HC or to this email address:

Jobs.BHCAccra@fco.gov.uk

Closing Date: 30 November, 2012

Regrettably only those candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted in the week of 10 December. The successful applicant will be expected to start work in February.

Interested applicants can contact Sarah Bell (0302 213250) at the British High Commission for further information. All enquiries will be dealt with “in confidence”.

The British High Commission Accra is an Equal Opportunities Employer
More information about the work of the British High Commission in Ghana can be found at http://ukinghana.fco.gov.uk/en/