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:

The work of the British High Commission (BHC) in Pakistan is focused on 6 main workstreams – Regional Security; Migration & Safer Streets; Modern Development Partnership; Climate, Nature & Humanitarian Group; UK Growth and Governance & Inclusion Group.

BHC Islamabad is looking to recruit a suitably qualified Administrative Officer (AO) as an Assistant Programme Officer who can start as soon as possible. This position is opened for both external candidates and FCDO’s internal Country Based Staff on promotion and level transfer who have demonstrated the required competencies and experience. 

This AO role sits within the Governance & Inclusion Group (GIG) in BHC Islamabad (BHCI). It is a top performing unit, that offers an attractive and rewarding work environment, and which delivers programme results and provides policy and technical input across the UK mission in Pakistan and to a wide range of external stakeholders. GIG strives to work together in a positive team environment, making development and career progression a priority and providing flexibility to deliver results at pace on high-profile priorities while maintaining work-life balance.

GIG has just transitioned into an enabler role and has a £91m portfolio. It leads policy & programmes at the federal and sub-national levels relating to governance/effective institutions (e.g., public sector management; risk governance); human rights (e.g., freedom of religion and belief; minority rights; children’s rights; child protection; inclusion; gender & disability as well as civic space and media freedom. 

Within GIG, this position will sit under Inclusion team that leads on £46.9m programme Aawaz II. This programme works with government and local communities to promote the rights of children, women, youth, religious minorities, people with disabilities and the transgender community to strengthen control over their own development. The programme has evolved over time with a sharper focus on child protection, gender-based violence, early and child marriages, and intolerance against religious minorities. The programme works with the government for institutional and legal reforms and with the communities for behaviour change and referral pathways to state services. The programme operates in three of the four provinces of Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh. Programme will be ended by March 2027.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Governance & Inclusion Group. They will particularly lead on day-to-day administrative and logistics management.

The position is a key programme support role. The successful candidate will support HEO Programme Responsible Owner (PRO) and an Executive Officer (EO) in effective programme delivery and will support oversight and report on all programme management aspects for Aawaz II and will also contribute to group and programme management, finance and risk management across GIG. 

This is a challenging but rewarding role which requires the ability to work at pace and agility to support and collaborate with teams across the mission.  This is a superb opportunity to hone and develop skills and be engaged in some of the areas that matter to Pakistan, the region and the UK communities in Pakistan.

GIG has a positive team environment, energetic and diverse. Supportive line management, respect and career development are at the heart of staff relationships. All team members should strive to create and maintain a pleasant, inclusive and rewarding work environment where every member can achieve their best and it will be important to demonstrate these qualities in this role.

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 that a jobholder will be expected to achieve:

Programme Administrative Support:

• Assisting with the effective administration and management of the Team’s programme portfolio in accordance with FCDO’s rules and procedures.
• Record keeping on Teams, stationery arrangement, maintaining asset inventories and checks. 
• Providing support in procurement of Services or grant arrangements; and participating in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities.
• Taking forward HR/ Business Support issues particularly supporting on logistics for field visits and programme/team meetings.
• Processing payments, budget management, monitoring expenditure and assisting in accurate financial forecasting exercises while supporting the respective programme managers/officers.
• Assisting the Team Leaders in responding to corporate tasks.

Programme Logistics:

• Arranging internal and external meetings, away days, logistical support for briefings, events and conferences, receptions, and visits. Booking flights/transport, accommodation, meeting venues and arranging security clearances.
• Drafting and issuing letters and e-mails in consultation with the team members.
• Supporting the team to organize field visits, drafting and apply for NOC and TRA’s, liaising with transport, security, and programme partners to ensure effective field visits.
• Internal information and knowledge management, uploading materials, maintaining spread sheets, calendars, and keeping minutes of meetings.
• Provide surge support and respond to other priority needs.

The ideal candidate will be someone with strong language skills in both Urdu and English, able to manage a busy workload and prioritize effectively. 

Experience in a busy office environment and working within a team would be a strong advantage.  

This is a demanding and fulfilling role which requires agility to support and collaborate with teams across the mission and with partners to deliver programme goals and team objectives.

Working patterns:

High Commission hours, Monday-Friday. Some out of hours work may be required on ad hoc basis. Flexible working will be considered but we cannot guarantee that requests will be met.

This role is based in Islamabad, Pakistan. 

Learning and development opportunities:

• FCDO has a set of mandatory learning opportunities which needs to be completed within stipulated time. In addition, learning goals for the year will be agreed with the line manager, based on job or career related learning needs.
  
• Coaching, mentoring and job shadowing led by Line Manager 
  
• Field visits and programme visits to project deliverables, partner meetings.
  
• You will have the opportunity to develop skills and experience throughout the programme management cycle, including through formal in-house learning opportunities and team-wide capability initiatives.
  

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

You will have the opportunity to develop skills and experience throughout the programme management cycle, including through formal in-house learning opportunities and team-wide capability initiatives (e.g., Away Days). 

FCDO Pakistan would like to fill this role as soon as possible. If you would like to find out more about the role, please send us an email at [email protected].

Selection process: Please note that only those applicants selected for interview will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates should be available for the next stage of the recruitment (interview) process around end-November 2025.

Essential on arrival:

• Minimum 2 years’ work experience.
  
• Bachelors / Graduation Degree
• Very good written and spoken English.
  
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective working relationships.
  
• An ability to work proactively and independently as well as part of a team, and strong IT skills.
  
• Prior working experience and familiarity with MS Office particularly MS Excel, MS Word & MS Teams

Language Requirements:

• Language: English & Urdu
• Level of language required: Proficient in written and spoken