Main purpose of job:

A core function of the British High Commission is to provide support to British Nationals who need our help – for instance, because they are victims of crime, have an accident, or need an emergency travel document.  Consular staff are responsible for delivering this assistance, providing a professional, helpful and efficient service to British nationals in Mozambique, in line with our public guide “Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide.” The other core function is to support the Senior Political Officer and Political Secretaries across a wide range of political issues.

Political Roles and Responsibilities:

Ø  Provide political analyses and reporting to the team in Maputo, and FCDO in London, assist in lobbying host government on international issues of UK interest, help create a network of key political contacts to maximise BHC team work to deliver FCDO objectives in country and maintain close relationship with MINEC.

Ø  Translate short documents internal to the political team and those destined for the host government.

Ø  Manage and promote HMG’s Chevening Scholarships programme, including the interview process.

Ø  Convene high level meetings on behalf of the High Commissioner, contribute to its agenda, assure meeting logistics are in place and produce readouts.

Ø  Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders within the host government. Ensure UNSC lobbying requests to MINEC are delivered on time and to the right focal point.

Ø  Facilitate technical support to MINEC during Mozambique’s non-permanent membership of the UNSC.

Ø  Convene Commonwealth Head Of Mission’s regular meetings. Support the team and wider mission with Commonwealth relevant events.

Ø  Provide timely updates on the human rights situation in Mozambique to ensure Post’s Stage 1 OSJA is robust and up to date.

Ø  Contribute to logistics and planning for high level visits to BHC Maputo, including Ministers and senior officials.

Vice Consul Roles and Responsibilities:

Providing consular assistance to distressed British Nationals (BNs) across Mozambique by leading on high profile/complex cases:

·       Assistance work includes issues such as welfare, mental illness, rape/sexual assault, victims of serious crime (please note this could require visiting mortuaries and other challenging environments); and cases with media/parliamentary interest – emotional intelligence and personal resilience are essential qualities;  

·       Meeting consular business targets and ensuring casework is promptly recorded on our case management system;

·       Effective management of the consular section across Mozambique.

·       Making sure British people can contact us when they need to, by maintaining key information systems and regularly testing the customer journey.

·       Managing Consular Services such as issuing Emergency Travel Documents to British Nationals and officiating Citizenship Ceremonies for new British Nationals.

 Supporting Consular Directorate’s Prevention objectives by building strong relationships and liaison with local authorities and organisations:

·       Outreach to British Nationals and partner organisations around Maputo, creating and maintaining good relationships with organisations who encounter British people (including immigration, police, hospitals and social services, charities and NGOs, and other High Commissions);

·       Identify and lobby local authorities to ensure we have the right contacts to help us assist British Nationals and to prevent assistance cases getting worse;

·       Creation and delivery of prevention and other communications campaigns;

·       Ensuring relevant GOV.UK service provider lists are up dated

·       Researching and producing information relevant to distressed British people for publication on the BHC website;

  Support crisis preparations:

·       Lead on consular elements of the Mozambique crisis plan; including acting as Consular Manager during a crisis where required;

·       Outreach to understand profile of, and risks to British nationals working in Mozambique, particularly those in red zones.

·       Participation in the crisis committee; organisation and participation in crisis exercises.

·       Excellent all-round communication skills;

·       Be able to work independently with initiative and sound judgement being crucial to success;

·       Demonstrate an ability to remain calm under pressure;

·       Be able to research and follow guidelines, and to plan and prioritise effectively.

·       Demonstrate communication skills, particularly in being able to reach out to and liaise with key stakeholders and contacts

This is a rewarding and often challenging role. You will be well supported by your line manager and wider team, but you must have high levels of personal resilience to succeed.