Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission in Maseru is one of the smallest UK overseas missions. The High Commissioner is the only UK diplomat, and is supported by three country-based staff. All four have prominent roles and must work closely together to ensure the High Commission works to maximum effect, and remains prominent in Lesotho. 

This position is the High Commission’s lead officer on political, economic and trade issues. You will be the senior local member of staff and will work directly with the High Commissioner so will need to be a confident networker, prepared to engage with senior stakeholders in Lesotho (including political and civil society contacts) as well as visitors from the UK. You will build and maintain these relationships and report on political and economic developments and will also be expected to support work such as maintaining the High Commission’s social media accounts, assisting with the Chevening Scholarships Programme, and organising visit programmes. You should be a strong communicator (written and verbal). Given the close-knit nature of the team, being a capable, confident, well-informed multi-tasker is essential. 

Roles and responsibilities:

1. Relationship management: You will sustain relationships with a range of key actors including government ministries, political parties, parliamentarians, key businesses, civil society organisations and media contacts. You will accompany the High Commissioner to meetings with key contacts, and maintain relationships with them yourself, to ensure the High Commission understands and is aware of perspectives across the political and economic landscape in Lesotho, and that key stakeholders understand UK positions.
2. Reporting: You will provide timely, well sourced and accurate reporting on the latest political, economic and trade policy developments in Lesotho. You will brief the High Commissioner to ensure they can confidently talk to these issues when meeting key stakeholders. You will ensure London colleagues are kept up to date with the latest developments in country.
3. Chevening scholarship programme: You will support work on the Chevening Scholarship programme to ensure it attracts high calibre and diverse applicants. You will engage with Chevening alumni to ensure they remain positive contacts for the High Commission.
4. Social media management: You will manage the High Commission’s social media accounts including Facebook, X and Instagram. You will generate high quality comms content. You will ensure the work of the High Commission is well publicised, is viewed favourably and receives strong engagement.
5. Visit / ad-hoc support:  You will liaise closely with colleagues in Pretoria, Johannesburg and London to support the work of UK Government Departments not resident in Lesotho. This involves supporting visits where needed, including planning and assisting with implementation of programmes for official visitors from London and British High Commission Pretoria. You will also be expected to support ad-hoc administrative work including replying to letters from the public, visa enquiries, crisis planning, updating travel advice, diplomatic clearances and protocol issues.

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political studies or similar subjects
• Excellent knowledge of Lesotho’s political, commercial and economic environment
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong time management skills
• Experience managing social media accounts and generating content
• fluency (spoken and written) required in both English and Sesotho