View Vacancy – Community Liaison Officer

The British Consulate General in Jerusalem is seeking an individual for the Part Time, Fixed Term position of Community Liaison Officer, Grade – A2 (L).

Purpose of the job:

To work closely with the Consulate General management for the wellbeing of all staff at post, with primary function as an advocate for and provision of support to UK based staff and families (FCDO and Partners Across Government (PAGs)) on family and community issues, principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare and communication. To act as a link between post management and families. To help newcomers and their families settle and adjust to their new environment.

Duties and responsibilities:

The main responsibilities of the Community Liaison Officer are:

Providing information and support for UK based officers and their spouses/partners and families, including those who are post, due to arrive, or are considering bidding for jobs in Jerusalem. This will include ensuring that the Welcome Pack, Post Fact Sheet and Post Report are up to date, being accessible to staff and spouses/partners, and providing information on:

• spouse/partner employment at post, including through completion of the Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA) Spouse and Partner Annual employment Report
• children’s education and childcare at post, including through completion of HR School and Nursery Information Sheets of authorised schools at post
• adult education, career and training opportunities
• single officer and foreign born spouse/partner issues
• recreational facilities and social matters

The CLO will also complete the ECA Cost of Living Survey return twice a year, as well as maintaining and updating the medical panel list and supporting cashless billing by medical providers.

Welfare at post: welcoming all staff and their families arriving on posting or temporary duty and accompanying them to ensure as smooth an integration as possible into the life of the post community. This will include showing staff or spouses/partners around and introducing them to others at post, following up to check that the settling in process is working, and being a source of referral and support where questions, problems and difficulties arise. CLOs are not expected to be medically trained and have no medical responsibility.

Advocating for UK based staff and families in addressing issues of importance with post management, including as their representative on housing and security committees, and as the chief link between post and the DSFA in London.

Communicating effectively on community and social matters across post to all staff and receiving notification of staff arrivals/departures. The CLO should advertise details of DSFA career support services and courses to eligible UK based spouses/partners at post, will be a member of the CC22 Social Committee, and should establish some form of communication for staff and spouses/partners across post, e.g. a weekly newsletter and managing WhatsApp groups or similar in accordance with the FCDO social media policy.

Practical support to new and departing officers, including management of the domestic equipment float, provision of basic groceries on arrival, assistance with administrative procedures, and taking staff and families on a familiarisation tour with one of the Consulate General’s drivers.

Emergency Planning including being aware of and involved in any post contingency and evacuation plans with a specific responsibility for welfare. All CLOs should complete the Crisis Preparedness online learning.

Other duties as required, including support to the Corporate Services team at post.

All of the above responsibilities require the CLO to have strong links with senior management, the Corporate Services team, relevant FCDO departments and the DSFA’s London office.

Resource Managed:

• Management of the domestic equipment float

Key Competences Required for the Job:

• Collaborating and Partnering – People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
• Leading and Communicating – Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It is about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.
• Managing a Quality Service – Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements.
• Changing and Improving – People who are effective in this area are responsive, innovative and seek out opportunities to create effective change.

Essential:

• Fluent communication skills in English language (both written and spoken).
• Experience of moving to another country.
• Capable of working on their own initiative and adaptable to changing priorities. Able to work and act without close supervision. Efficient administrative and organisational skills.
• IT skills, especially in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)