Main purpose of job:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) supports UK growth, through enabling and promoting trade and UK inward investment across the globe. DBT divides the world into 9 regions, each led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC).

DBT Africa covers 19 countries, and we have over 100 staff in four sub-regions: North Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa and West Africa. These sub-regions are led and coordinated by the Africa Hub, who sets the strategic direction for the whole of Africa and provides operational support to help teams follow this plan.

You will be part of the DBT Africa Hub team under the leadership of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) as the Network Support Officer, working also with the Deputy Trade Commissioner (DTC) and wider cross-cutting teams in Africa and in the UK. You will be responsible for ensuring that DBT Africa processes continue to run smoothly, ensuring excellent service to the wider team and senior leadership, whilst also making sure DBT Africa continues to be a great place to work.

This is a challenging role for an experienced candidate to work in a fast paced and high-profile environment in an important central role. It will suit a self-starter who is resilient under pressure and capable of working with multiple changing priorities. This position requires excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, tact, discretion, and sensitivity.

Roles and responsibilities: 

Under the leadership of the Deputy Trade Commissioner ( DTC) and COO, you will be responsible for ensuring that DBT Africa processes continue to run smoothly, ensuring excellent service to the wider team and senior leadership, whilst also making sure DBT Africa continues to be a great place to work. This includes:

• Oversee the annual People Survey with the aim to continue to increase our engagement score year on year.
• Design and implement an annual People Plan for the region in order to ensure teams are supported, upskilled and engaged in all we do.
• Run the regional L&D fund and the quarterly bonus awards to reward staff for their work and contributions.
• Working with the FCDO International Academy and DBT HR, understanding the network’s learning needs, implementing a programme of relevant L&D activity, including overseeing the delivery of bespoke L&D that meets the wider organisational objectives.
• Give advice and guidance around personnel issues as needed, reflecting local labour law, Post TACOs and circumstances, working collaboratively with the FCDO and DTC and leading on all complex HR cases.
• Lead on the planning, recruitment and onboarding of UKB and CBS staff.
• Ensure all staff data, processes and commission are kept up to date and/or completed.
• Be an active member of the DBT People Leads Overseas Network.
• Support the COO and wider Africa Hub on other people matters and work packages as required, this may include internal communications, recruitment and job descriptions.
• Support the DBT Africa Hub in the day-to-day running of the Africa Network.
• Lead on the Africa team’s input into UK asks and briefing; such as advice around Ministerial visits.
• Oversee and manage various central email mailboxes as needed.
• Organise various events such as the annual Regional Conference.
• Provide support to the DTC and COO as needed, including occasionally supporting HMTC’s Executive Office. 
• Support and lead on various ad hoc tasks as needed.
• The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

You will also be an active member of the DBT Africa Hub and will take a collaborative approach, getting buy-in from and working closely with colleagues at all levels and locations in the Network, and with DBT HQ HR as appropriate, ensuring the diversity of issues and views is assessed and taken into consideration.

• Minimum 3 years work experience in a related field (HR or Admin).
• Exceptional system and process management skills to ensure effective coordination and flow of information.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Mature judgment and discretion in keeping sensitive information confidential.