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 Botswana, in line with our public guide “Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide”

In addition, effectively marketing our Chevening Scholarship offer and enhancing alumni engagement, is an important part of the High Commission’s policy and project development activity. The successful candidate will be expected to manage and administer the Chevening application process working closely with the Chevening Secretariat. They will also be expected to maintain and enhance engagement with the alumni network, as well as gaining a better understanding of all the existing UK Botswana academic and research partnerships and identifying opportunities to foster new partnerships.

As part of a small, dynamic team, the incumbent should also expect to work collaboratively with other colleagues to support the work of the wider mission by helping to organise events, visits, projects, and communication campaigns etc.

 Vice Consul Roles and Responsibilities:

Providing consular assistance to distressed British Nationals (BNs) across Botswana 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 in Gaborone.
• 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 Gaborone, 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.
• Researching and producing information relevant to distressed British people for publication on the BHC website.

  Support crisis preparations:

• Lead on consular elements of the Botswana crisis plan; including acting as Consular Manager during a crisis where required.
• Participation in the crisis committee; organisation and participation in crisis exercises.

Scholarships Officer Roles and Responsibilities:

• Chevening is the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s flagship global scholarship programme and identifies future leaders and key influencers with the passion, vision and skills needed to shape a better world across 160 countries and territories, providing them with a fully funded opportunity for postgraduate study in the UK.
• Chevening is overseen and managed by The Scholarships Unit within London’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The administration of the programme is carried out on behalf of the FCDO by the Chevening Secretariat. The Chevening programme officer at Post is responsible for delivery of the programme in-country, working closely with the Chevening Secretariat. Chevening forms an important part of our excellent bilateral relationship, allowing for valuable academic and cultural exchange between the UK and Botswana.
• Scholar Recruitment: Managing the administration of the Chevening application process, assisting with shortlisting, arranging and conducting interviews, updating the Chevening online application system with short-lists and interview results and organising pre-departure briefings.
• Programme Outreach and Marketing: Creatively identifying ways to promote Chevening, such as attending university fairs and other outreach events, and producing written and visual content for social media, press and radio. Monitoring the Chevening marketing budget, requesting and making use of marketing materials from the Secretariat and keeping records of promotional material. Sharing information about the scholarships to High Commission colleagues to foster team-wide promotion of the scholarships.
• Programme Administration: Carrying out administration of the programme in line with Chevening policy, adhering to deadlines and requests set by the Scholarships Unit (TSU) and the Chevening Secretariat. Responding to enquiries regarding the scheme and acting as point of contact with the High Commission team on Chevening-related issues and activities. Maintaining positive relationships with applicants and award recipients before, during and after their award.
• Alumni Engagement: Maintaining and enhancing contact with the Chevening alumni network, organising a series of alumni events including an annual welcome-home event. Updating and maintaining the database of Chevening alumni. Keeping TSU and the Secretariat regularly up to date with alumni engagement work in country. Identify opportunities for High Commission colleagues to engage with alumni members to enhance policy and programme development activities.
• Partnerships: Engage with the Chevening Secretariat to manage existing partnership opportunities and develop new local partnerships. Engage the wider High Commission for their input and support to develop partnerships.

• 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.

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.