The British High Commission in Nicosia is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Personal Assistant to the High Commissioner based in Nicosia.

This is a very busy all-rounder job.  The selected candidate must be a self-starter with good typing, computer, communication, and organisational skills who can multi-task, deliver results, win the trust of a wide range of stakeholders and be willing to occasionally be flexible with regard to hours worked. 

Role and responsibilities:

• Manage the High Commissioner’s official diary, liaise with government Ministries and other Missions, make appointments, respond to invitations, produce daily and forward programmes;
• Assist with visitors programmes;
• Type letters, reports and other official correspondence and distribution of same by e-mail, fax etc;
• Act as a prime communication link between the High Commissioner and the Mission, trusted by both, especially when he is out of the office;
• Draft routine correspondence for High Commissioner;
• Provide all round support to the High Commissioner as required, including occasionally at events outside the High Commission;
• Act as the High Commissioner’s social secretary organising lunches, dinners and receptions, in close collaboration with the staff of the Residence;
• Take minutes and record action points from internal management meetings;
• Administer a selection of IT systems;
• Collect and distribute mail and documents;
• Other support to the wider High Commission as required.

• Excellent English language communication skills, both orally and written (minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
• Good typing, computer, communication and organisational skills who can multi-task, deliver results, win the trust of a wide range of stakeholders, and be willing to be flexible with regard to hours worked;
• Ability to work under pressure, often unsupervised and as part of a team;
• Excellent inter-personal skills, able to work with a diverse range of cultures and people of differing views and opinions, calmly and discreetly;
• Strong office organisational skills, managing information flow, ensuring decisions taken get properly implemented, where necessary achieving a sensible balance between competing priorities;
• Capacity to deal patiently and effectively in a wide range of situations, including dealing with the public, knowing when to take decisions yourself and when to seek guidance;
• Good telephone manner;
• Proficient audio typing;
• Numerate and proficient IT skills including: Microsoft Word (essential), Excel (essential) and Access Database (desirable).