Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online Application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

To lead in the organisation, coordination and delivery of high profile, quality and cutting-edge events and visit programmes that promote UK engagement in Mumbai, and Western India (Maharashtra, Goa and Madhya Pradesh). The job holder will be a part of the Political and Bilateral Affairs team and work closely with the Head of Political and Political Analyst to support the building an incredible network to deliver in Mumbai.

The UK-India relationship is very strong – and both Governments prioritise it. Links between India and the United Kingdom are modern and cover a wide range of areas where we are engaged including:

• Trade and investment – we want UK companies engaged in India, and Indian companies investing in the UK’s potential. In Mumbai we also have teams specifically promoting Wales and Scotland’s potential.
• People to people links – we want Indians to (i) study in the UK (we also award Chevening Scholarships and fellowships) (ii) visit and enjoy the UK (iii) research in the UK (iv) set up companies in the UK.
• Cultural links – We enjoy strong links in areas as diverse as literature, film, dance, sports and music. We also want to expand English language learning.
• Science and innovation links, research and sharing.
• Engaging the political and media communities and working with community and other groups promoting development.
• Working with the Government on its smart cities, urban development, ease of doing business and Make in India policies.
• Providing a quality consular service to the British nationals in India.

An important part of this relationship constitutes visits by senior British politicians, officials, business leaders and trade delegations to India, and the organisation of events to promote aspects of our bilateral relationship. Mumbai is an essential part of the vast majority of visit programmes.

British Deputy High Commission (BDHC) Mumbai is required to deliver at the highest quality, in the best possible way, given how we operate reflects on the UK.

The job holder will work closely with the Department for Business & Trade and, crucially, with the Executive Team working to the Head of Post, the British Deputy High Commissioner – who manage his work, diary and events. He or she will be line managed by the Political Advisor and shall have regular access to the Head of Political, Head of Post and his Deputy.

The successful candidate will need to be ready to embrace possible change, eg, team structures, and potentially adapt their roles and responsibilities, within the overall framework of the above, as the BDHC in Mumbai focuses roles to changing priorities to ensure we deliver new and exciting challenges in the years ahead for the India-UK relationship.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

Deliver visits and events to the highest quality and pace:

• Building good productive relationships is essential to success in the job.  Likewise communicating clearly and in a timely manner.
• Ensuring strong collaborative working with the BDHC’s protocol and transport team, the visits team in Delhi, the Department of Business & Trade, Post’s leadership, and network wide events/marketing teams.
• Draft clear programmes (covers all activities on a visit) and briefs (prepared for senior staff and covers what will happen at one event in depth).
•  Anticipate risks and challenges – and suggest effective mitigation.
• Record meeting minutes for events where there is an external partner e.g. a venue or hotel (like King’s Birthday Party).
• Hold a forward look that helps all plan ahead.

Collaborating with stakeholders to creatively design and research visit/event programs.

• Think creatively and strategically on how a visit or event can deliver our objectives.
• Employ long-term planning and preparation so as to proactively and strategically build contacts, plans, ideas, venues we could use.
• Keep and continually refresh a document bank of interesting visit ideas that can be shared with prospective visitors.

Contact building and Stakeholder management.

• Help build diverse and relevant contacts that can further BDHC objectives.
• Arrange meetings, also attended by the Head of Political, developing your expertise on how best to engage with the UK and Indian government’s departments, organisations and businesses.
• Help develop a strategy for engaging with Chevening alumni, including working with media team on promotion.

Keep informed of external events in Mumbai [and Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa] held by other organisations and government that overlap with our priorities – and share details of events with relevant colleagues.

Maintain contact databases: Including for our Chevening alumni, in event of crisis, cultural, non-profit elements and next generation targets. Databases should be maintained and maximally useful. Working with colleagues and Communications team, ensure highest standards of service and quality engagement with these groups.

Financial responsibility: Ensure the finances associated with such visits and events are secured, managed, settled and reported properly. Ensure value for money and well-maintained accurate financial records. Comply with India Network finance and procurement rules.

Complete monthly departmental budget forecast: Track spending accurately and regularly so that events/visits are completed within budget. Timely processing of payments.

Lead on admin responsibilities directed at the team.

Support and provide resilience to the wide range of political & bilateral affairs work, including sometimes deputising for the Political Analyst or Media leads, as required.

The job holder will need to be a collaborative team player, good at relationship building (internally and externally) and using relationships to deliver tangible outcomes. 

Learning and development opportunities: 

In house training and mentoring will be provided, besides ad hoc learning and development opportunities.

Essential on arrival:

• Graduate/Post graduate degree in any discipline.
• Prior experience of visits and event management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A positive, polite and helpful manner and have strong customer relations skills.
• Ideally 2 years+ work experience in relevant field.
• Good organisation skills, ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Lead the management of any event from planning stage all the way through to delivery.
• Strong organisational skills and have the confidence to interact with others, including senior figures, to secure meetings or particular outcomes.
• Strong IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office package.

Language Requirements:

• Language: English, Hindi & Marathi (desirable)
• Level of Language Required: Expert