Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Corporate Services Support
Main Purpose of Job:
To work closely with Post Management in Kampala for the well-being of all staff at Post, with primary function as the advocate for and provision of support to UK based (UKB) staff and families from all Government Departments on family and community issues, principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare and communication.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
This role would suit someone with experience of living overseas with a diplomatic mission. It is flexible, fun and offers possibilities for personal development. As the first person that many diplomats and their partners have contact with at the High Commission, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) is in many ways the face of the office. It is your role to settle people into life in Kampala, help them to navigate a new country and meet their own needs.
You will also play a vital role in the overall life of the British High Commission (BHC). You will support the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner in ensuring the positive morale and smooth running of the High Commission. You will take a lead on core aspects of internal communications for the whole BHC community and help Post management in designing and implementing follow-up to the staff survey results. You may be called on to support others in their roles. At a time of significant change the CLO will play a vital role in promoting good change management practices.
The successful candidate will be good at relating to a range of people, diligent in helping people when asked and offering when not, and customer service focussed. The role is well suited for someone looking for a flexible working pattern and friendly work environment.
Specific tasks include:
Information gathering for UK-based officers and their spouses/partners and families. To include information primarily on spouse/partner employment at Post; children’s education (through completion of separate School and Nursery Information Sheets of authorised schools at Post); medical facilities (including coordinating visits by the Regional Medical Officer); local employment or training opportunities for spouses/partners; single officer and foreign born spouse/partner issues; recreational facilities; social matters; and completion of Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Reports as well as cost of living surveys.
Communicating effectively on community and social matters across Post to all UKB staff and families through a monthly newsletter. The CLO is expected to organise regular events (Covid protocols permitting), both in service of the UKB/partner community and more broadly, working in conjunction with the Social Committee.
Advising the High Commissioner and Deputy on issues of staff morale and staff survey scores. Design interventions as appropriate to address staff concerns and facilitating discussions amongst staff on sensitive issues (particularly bullying, harassment and discrimination and sexual harassment). Support Post leadership in implementing a OneHMG culture at Post.
Welfare at Post: Provision of formal and informal support to officers and families on arrival and throughout their posting. Welcoming all staff on posting/temporary duty/flexible deployment and accompanying families to ensure as smooth an integration as possible into the life of the Post community; following up to check that the settling in process is working; being a source of referral and support where questions, problems and difficulties arise; providing short Post community induction.
Advocate for UK based staff and families in addressing issues of importance with Post Management, including as their representative on Management Boards, evacuation/contingency planning and housing committees, and as the chief link between Post and the Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA) in London. The CLO participates and is an active member of Post committees such as the Housing and Health and Safety Committees.
Information management of Post Welcome Pack, CLO homepage on Post’s Intranet site, input to update and review of Post Report and Fact Sheet. The incumbent should update CLO news and information on notice boards, and advertises details of DSFA career support services and courses to eligible UKB spouses/partners at Post.
Emergency Planning: the CLO must be aware of and involved in any Post contingency and evacuation plans.
The CLO is based at The British High Commission (BHC) Kampala. The BHC is located in a purpose built compound which offers excellent office accommodation. It is a very friendly team. There are 24 members of UKB staff and a mix of single officers and families at Post.
The CLO needs to work closely with different parts of the Corporate Services Team (e.g. Estates) as well as the Regional Overseas Security Manager (ROSM).
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to act with discretion and be adaptable.
Strong IT skills
Changing and Improving, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service
29 October 2021
B3 (L)
Permanent
Africa
Uganda
Kampala
British High Commission
UGX 2,911,874
1 December 2021
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
All CLOs should try to attend the CLO Course as soon as possible after completing probation to help them fully meet the demands of the job.
Working patterns:
The job is part-time (approximately 19.5 hrs/week). We would generally expect some of those hours to be spent in the office, but there is significant flexibility in how you use your time. This works both ways as there may be occasions (for example with new arrivals or in emergencies) when you are asked to work outside of normal hours.
- Please complete the application form in full. Failure to do so may result in a determination that you do not meet the requirements for the position
- Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Kampala are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Uganda
- All applicants must be legally able to work in the country of application with the correct visa/status or work permit
- Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
- Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted
- Any questions you may have about this position will be answered during the interview, should you be invited
- Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework
- Successful candidates not resident in Uganda will be personally liable for costs and arrangements to relocate, including accommodation and work permits
- Check your application and attachments before you submit your application, as you will not be able to make any changes once submitted
- The British High Commission will never ask you to pay a fee or money to apply for a position
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