Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission is seeking a highly organised, proactive, and professional Head of the DBT Africa Private Office and Operations Manager to lead on the executive support to the senior leadership in DBT Africa (both His Majety’s Trade Commissioner and Deputy Trade Commissioner); as well as managing cross-cutting projects in DBT Africa across different markets and supporting the Chief Operating Officer. 

You will be the central coordinator, the hub through which all parts of DBT Africa work and the crucial communication channel for HMTC, DTC and COO between internal and external partners and stakeholders. This is a busy but exciting and hugely rewarding job, offering a real insight into high level decision-making and chance to support the growing UK-Africa trade partnership. 

This role is pivotal in ensuring the effective delivery of DBT Africa’s regional objectives through high-level coordination, governance, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence. The postholder will act as a trusted advisor and project lead, driving efficiency, innovation, and compliance across the Africa Network.

You will be an active member of the DBT Africa Hub and will take a collaborative approach, getting buy-in from and working closely with colleagues at all levels and locations in the Network, and with DBT HQ HR as appropriate, ensuring the diversity of issues and views is assessed and taken into consideration.

You must have a professional and can-do approach, planning ahead and ensuring actions are followed up, and that the DBT Africa governance functions are fully effective. You will be supporting senior management decision making through the provision of briefings, presentations and the compilation of written reports with appropriate recommendations. Strong communication skills and in-depth analysis to identify the underlying issues are important. The role will involve some travel.

Roles and responsibilities:
    
 DBT Africa Private Office

• Lead strategic coordination of HMTC and DTC diaries, engagements, and priorities, ensuring alignment with regional objectives. Manage all aspects of their calendars and travels (including visits) and prioritise their engagements for optimum impact.
• Coordinate with colleagues across the 13 markets DBT Africa is in to ensure they are properly briefed and prepared for events and ensure follow up is actioned by the team. 
• Serve as Secretariat for the DBT Africa Executive Committee, shaping agendas, tracking decisions, and ensuring governance compliance.
• Manage discretionary budgets for HMTC and DTC, including forecasting, reporting, and ensuring Value for Money.
• Oversee briefing processes for high-level meetings, trade missions, and ministerial visits, ensuring quality and strategic relevance.
• Act as senior liaison with internal and external stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, and diplomatic contacts. 
• Coordinate incoming VIP visit programmes, help to manage logistics, manage input from internal and external stakeholders and produce briefing materials.

Operations Manager

• Be the deputy to the Chief Operating Officer and lead on cross-cutting projects across the 13 markets and ensure governance is followed through in DBT Africa. 
• Design and implement the annual People Plan for DBT Africa, including workforce planning, L&D fund management, and quarterly recognition awards. 
• Provide HR advisory support on complex personnel issues and be a trusted advisor to the senior leaders of the DBT Africa Network, working closely with both local FCDO HR Hubs in Africa to ensure compliance with local labour law and FCDO policy. 
• Lead the planning and delivery of official events and annual regional conferences, managing suppliers, budgets, and diplomatic protocol.
• Drive process improvements and digital transformation using Office 365 tools, SharePoint, and Teams. 
• Provide strategic direction and coordination across internal and external communications, ensuring consistency and responsiveness.
• Champion continuous improvement and professional development within the team.
• Work with Regional Country Directors to understand their teams training needs and address them through the FCDO International Academy and DBT HR.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Develop and maintain stakeholder engagement strategies and databases. 
• Coordinate virtual engagement platforms and ensure best practice usage. 
• Support internal communications and branding, including design of digital content using external platforms like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, and others. 
• Represent DBT Africa professionally at high-level events and ensure a welcoming diplomatic environment. 

Team and Network Support

• Provide occasional support to the wider DBT Africa team which includes the wider ExCo, and other members of DBT Africa, including coordination of regional meetings and events.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture.
• Provide support on internal communications for the Network coming from the HMTC and DTC. 

This is a fast-paced dynamic job and the above list of responsibilities is a guideline and there will be other tasks and responsibilities beyond this.

• Proven experience in strategic support for senior leadership. 
• A self-starter, able to work independently and on their own initiative to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines
• A degree with five years’ work experience at a minimum Strong project and event management skills
• Financial management experience, including budgeting and forecasting. 
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, communication and negotiation skills across cultures and senior levels. 
• Excellent organisation and administrative skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, email, internet and knowledge/understanding of social media.
• Familiarity with HR processes and advisory work.
• Advanced IT proficiency (Office 365, SharePoint, Teams) and ability to implement digital solutions.