The British Embassy Office (BEO) in Bujumbura maintains and develops relations between the UK and Burundi. Our mission is to support the stability, development and prosperity of Burundi and strengthen the UK-Burundi partnership. Our work in Burundi covers a range of issues, including diplomatic engagement, defence, development (including climate adaptation) and education.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as the Head of our Embassy Office in Burundi. As the leader of this critical diplomatic mission, you will be responsible for overseeing all office functions, including representational duties, political reporting, development cooperation, military engagement, corporate management, and climate related activities. You will report directly to the Political Counsellor for Burundi (resident in Kigali) and will engage directly and frequently with other (non-resident) senior leaders including the Ambassador, the Deputy Development Director, the Head of Corporate Services, and the UK Defence Attaché.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the highest level of personal and professional integrity given their responsibility for the operations of the BEO and representational duties on behalf of the UK government. The successful candidate will need to rely heavily on their personal initiative to drive work forward, both independently and as a part of a team. A willingness to work across boundaries and an ability to lead projects is essential.

The new Head of Office should be able to draw on their existing network, and build new contacts, to deliver high quality political, security and developmental analysis on key issues such as the internal situation in Burundi and the conflict in Eastern DRC. The successful candidate will work with the Government of Burundi, the international community (including UN agencies), local Civil Society Organisations, and FCDO colleagues in London and Kigali to support UK objectives in Burundi.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Strategic representational leadership and engagement: Provide leadership for the UK’s work in Burundi. Overall responsibility for all the activities of the BEO and management of an office manager, driver and potentially in the future a bilateral programme officer. Represent the UK and manage relations with the Government of Burundi on matters of protocol, bilateral relations, security cooperation and development activities. Develop existing workstreams and identify and scope new opportunities to enhance the UK’s footprint in Burundi. Represent the Ambassador at events or conferences organised by the Government of Burundi and the international community.

• Political, economic and security analysis: Offer analysis and reporting on political and developmental trends. Bring to the role, and build upon, a network of contacts with, government, UN agencies, developmental organisations, civil society, media organisations, religious leaders, and human rights actors, across a range issue in support of British Embassy Office objectives. Deliver political reporting on key internal and external issues and develop policy advice for the High Commission in Kigali and London. Guide FCDO colleagues how to engage with the Burundian government, military, and development partners (including UN agencies) to achieve their objectives.

• Corporate management: Line management and oversight of the office manager to ensure compliant management of the BEO budget and efficient operation of Corporate Services in Bujumbura. This will include ensuring the office manager provides accurate budget forecasting and expenditure, value for money and adherence to financial controls and compliance. Ensure the respect of FCDO organisational values. Hold final accountability for all BEO spend. Supervisory overview to ensure that security measures for the office, staff and vehicles are as laid down are adhered to (including completion of travel risk assessments where applicable for official visits to restricted areas)

• Visits: Build impactful visit programmes for Ministers, FCDO colleagues and the BHC leadership team in Kigali. Provide administrative, logistical and other support as required. With the wider BEO team, deliver the annual ‘Kings Birthday Party’ and support the Office Manager run the Chevening scholarship programme (including engagement with the alumni community).

• Development: Engagement on UK climate initiatives in Burundi such as British International Investment’s (BII) work with Virunga Power. Eventual management of a Programme Officer who will eventually assume day-to-day responsibility for the UK’s development work in Burundi, including delivering a new UK bilateral development programme. Proactive engagement with the development community in Bujumbura (including UK INGOs) alongside upskilling the Office Manager in development competencies. Support to the office manager in their oversight of the UK’s centrally managed programmes which are run from London but delivered on the ground in Burundi.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. This may include e.g., setting up meetings, interpreting.  preparing and taking meeting notes and formal correspondence as required, in the daily work of the role. There may also be requirement for engagement in facilitating VIP visas and providing briefings. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs.

• Native Kirundi speaker with excellent English and French (spoken and written)
• Politically astute and able to build a strong network of political and other contacts, which support UK objectives in Burundi.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and influencing skills; confidence in dealing with government officials at all levels. An understanding of institutional protocols.
• Personal initiative, drive and ability to work both independently and as a part of a team, with willingness to work across boundaries and ability to lead projects within the work portfolio.
• Confidence, discretion, strong emotional intelligence, integrity, inclusiveness, credibility and political objectivity.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).