The British High Commission (BHC) Lusaka is recruiting for a brand-new People and Operations Officer role. This is an exciting and demanding role for an exceptional individual to join our team which covers over 70 staff. The role holder will work closely with various stakeholders across the Mission and in London to ensure we deliver an excellent people offer in support of our Country Business Plan (CBP) and corporate excellence. The ideal candidate will possess excellent management, operational, interpersonal, and organisational skills.

People are at the heart and centre of our ability to deliver our CBP, particularly during a time of fast-paced change across the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) global network. We value our talented and diverse workforce that comprises UK-based (UKB) civil servants and country-based staff (CBS) whose diversity of ideas and experience across all areas of our work bring different ways to think about and take on challenges and opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that we develop, grow, and realise the potential of all our people, and create a great place to work where we can be ourselves and be respected for who we are. These values will be at the core of the work you deliver within the team.

The People & Operations Officer will play a key role within the Corporate Services Team, supporting the People & Operations Manager in delivering high quality people management, operational support, and corporate governance services across the British High Commission (BHC) Lusaka. The role contributes directly to creating an inclusive, efficient, and high performing workplace that supports the delivery of the Country Business Plan (CBP) and wider FCDO objectives.

The postholder will assist in implementing the Mission’s People Strategy, coordinating HR-related activities, supporting administrative and protocol functions, and ensuring effective service delivery to staff across the Mission. This role requires strong organisational ability, attention to detail, excellent interpersonal skills, and a commitment to customer service.

Roles and responsibilities 

1. Human Resources Support

•  Assist with end‑to‑end recruitment processes for Country-Based Staff (CBS), including interview scheduling, candidate communication, document handling, and maintaining accurate recruitment records.
• Support onboarding and induction for new staff, ensuring full compliance with organisational policies and local labour legislation.
• Maintain and update HR databases, staff records, leave registers, and organograms, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with information management standards.
• Coordinate training and development activities, including serving as secretariat for the Learning & Development (L&D) Committee (agendas, minutes, monitoring actions).
• Provide administrative support to the performance management cycle: issuing reminders, collating documentation, and assisting with consistency‑check preparation.
• Support wellbeing, inclusion, and staff welfare initiatives across the Mission.
• Respond to routine HR enquiries and escalate complex cases to the People & Operations Manager or HR Hub, ensuring timely follow‑up and resolution.

2. Office Administration

• Manage office supplies, stationery, and consumables, ensuring adequate stock levels and timely procurement.
• Oversee reception services including visitor protocols, reception cover, answering incoming calls, and attending to walk‑in guests.
• Handle incoming and outgoing mail, including diplomatic bags, and manage general BHC enquiries inboxes.
• Maintain updated internal directories such as staff telephone lists, emergency contacts, and internal management lists.
• Prepare and maintain meeting rooms, ensuring equipment and supplies are available and rooms are tidied post‑use.
• Provide secretariat support for internal meetings and committees, preparing agendas, taking minutes, and tracking arising actions.
• Maintain electronic and physical filing in line with information management requirements, ensuring systems remain well organised and up‑to‑date.

3. Procurement and Contract Management

• Manage procurement of office support goods, meeting supplies, and administrative items in accordance with FCDO procurement rules and value for money principles.
• Administer and monitor office cleaning and sanitary contracts, raising concerns promptly with the People & Operations Manager.
• Liaise with outsourced service providers and contractors, ensuring they are supervised or escorted while onsite as required.
• Assist with maintaining the procurement pipeline and relevant sections of the contract register.
• Ensure documentation for procurement activities is complete, accurate, and compliant.

4. Finance Support

• Assist with requisitioning, receipting, and uploading invoices for payment through approved financial systems
• Support monitoring and forecasting of office support budgets, flagging variances for review.
• Manage Government Procurement Card (GPC) purchases, preparing timely and accurate reconciliations in line with FCDO guidance.
• Maintain clear records to support financial audits and compliance check

5. Communication and Customer Service

• Provide prompt, professional responses to internal and external enquiries, ensuring high-quality customer service.
• Communicate updated guidance, processes, and procedures clearly to staff, promoting awareness of self‑service resources where appropriate.
• Support Corporate Services communications, including noticeboard updates, intranet content, and internal circulation of key messages.

6. Additional Operational Duties

• Support the ITSO with basic IT asset management, including equipment tracking and updating inventories.
• Assist the People & Operations Manager with data collection, operational reporting, analysis, and filing.
• Provide administrative support to business continuity and crisis preparedness activities.
• Undertake additional duties as required to support Corporate Services and the wider Mission.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the High Commission’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis.

• Minimum of a diploma or equivalent professional qualification in Business Administration, Public Administration, HR, Social Science, Management studies or any related field.
• Proactive and organised, able to work independently while supporting Corporate Services.
• Provides reliable HR and administrative support, including recruitment, onboarding, and record management.
• Communicates professionally with staff, contractors, and visitors, offering a customer focused service.
• Supports daily office operations, supplier coordination, and basic financial processes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and capable of presenting simple people and operational data.
• Handles sensitive information with discretion and attention to detail.
• Committed to promoting inclusion, wellbeing, and a respectful workplace environment.