Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission in Botswana maintains and develops relations between the UK and Botswana.

We deal with a wide range of political, commercial, security and economic issues of interest to the UK and Botswana. We provide consular assistance to British nationals in Botswana.

The main purpose of the role will be to provide administrative support to the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner and the policy and programme teams, play an active part in the High Commission’s communications and public diplomacy delivery and support the delivery of the Chevening Scholarship Programme and Portfolio.

As part of a small, dynamic team, the incumbent should also expect to work collaboratively with other colleagues to support the work of the wider mission by helping to organise events, visits, projects, and communication campaigns etc.

Roles and responsibilities:

• 20% Provide administrative support to the HC/DHC and policy and programme teams: including helping manage incoming and outgoing correspondence and ensure timely responses; assisting with the arrangement of external meetings, following up with Government of Botswana as required; maintaining a database of the High Commission’s key contacts; providing a budget monitor function for entertainment and travel spend; other ad hoc tasks to contribute to the smooth running of the office.
• 15% Assist with project administration: working closely with the Centre for Delivery, project managers and the Corporate Service team to ensure all project documents are complete, uploaded and saved appropriately; performing a Secretariat function for the High Commission’s Project Management Board.
• 20% Play an active part in the High Commission’s communications and public diplomacy delivery: including day to day management of our digital presence, ensuring that the BHC’s website and social media accounts are kept up to date and relevant and uploading content at the direction of policy leads; assisting with the delivery of events and other representational activities.
• 15% Support the delivery of the Chevening Scholarship Programme and Portfolio: including providing administrative assistance with the selection and deployment process; maintaining a database of the Chevening alumni and helping maintain the relationship between them and BHC/London policy teams; supporting the identification, monitoring and evaluation of any successful Chevening alumni project bids.
• 5% Back up for the Consular and Protocol Officer: including providing ETA support and managing the NV process and any urgent liaison with the MFA Protocol team in the Consular and Protocol Officer’s absence.
• 10% Support the ITSO function for Post: including being first point of contact for all BHC IT matters: ensuring DLs are kept up to date; managing the IT inventory management; and other general ITSO support duties working closely with the ITSO and IT team in Pretoria.
• 15% Support the overall finance function of Post: including as a dedicated HERA Requisitioner, ensuring P2P processes are compliant and carried out in accordance with FCDO rules; providing a backup pay roll officer function.

• Proven administrative experience, including arranging meetings and events
• Experience interpreting and implementing corporate policy e.g. finance policies and procedures
• Experience of organising events/conferences/workshops
• Effective organisation, prioritisation and planning skills
• Computer literate and proficient user of Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, MS Teams and Sharepoint
• Excellent all-round communication skills