UK - Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
JOB DESCRIPTION
View Vacancy – Australia Network – Deputy Corporate Services Manager – Human Resources, EO
Job Category
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Job Subcategory
HR
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
This role is responsible for:
- Leading the delivery of first-class Human Resource services across the UK in Australia Network, comprised of British High Commission Canberra and British Consulate-Generals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. This includes ensuring that: employment terms and conditions comply with local laws and FCDO policies; recruitment and onboarding processes are effective; payroll is processed accurately; and people policies are implemented fairly and consistently. (90%)
- Contributing to the smooth and efficient running of corporate services across the BHC network by undertaking a range of tasks, including deputising for colleagues when necessary. Depending on location this may include procuring goods and services, resolving or reporting maintenance or IT issues, and supporting business continuity and post-specific safety or security needs. (10%)
The job holder will need to be flexible and responsive. Strong people skills, discretion, and sound judgement are essential: the jobholder will be in a trusted position, relied on by colleagues and senior managers alike to provide impartial advice. They will work closely with internal and external stakeholders including the Asia-Pacific regional HR Hub, FCDO Policy Teams, the Country Based Staff Association, a 3rd-party payroll provider, and legal adviers.
Recruitment, Pay and Benefits
- Working closely with the HR Hub, maintain accurate position data and employee records for Country Based Staff (CBS). Lead on induction processes, advise on compensation, and review and authorise local employment offers and contract variations.
- Manage the relationship with the BHC’s Payroll Provider, providing prompt and accurate monthly payment instructions, and confirming and calculating entitlements to non-standard payments.
- Ensure employer contributions (Superannuation) and premiums (Workers Compensation) are processed promptly and in line with state and/or federal obligations.
HR Advice and Case management
- Act as a sounding board for staff and managers, providing advice and information across a range of FCDO and local HR policies and processes. Know when and where to signpost staff who need more in-depth support. Liaise with legal advisors and insurance representatives on complex cases and policy questions.
- Working closely with the HR Hub, support the implementation of dispute resolution or disciplinary procedures, including in relation to any bullying, harassment and discrimination issues.
Strategic support and People Policies
- Help develop and implement people & culture initiatives to foster a positive and inclusive working environment where staff are supported to thrive. Lead projects focused on the employee lifecycle (recruitment, learning & development, and retention).
- Support workforce planning, pay and benefit reviews, and performance management consistency checks with data and analysis. Develop options and recommendations for performance pay and pay uplifts.
- Lead regular reviews of Country Based Staff conditions of service, and local HR policies and processes, to ensure these comply with local labour law, and reflect policy developments and best practice. Build a professional relationship with the Country Based Staff Association and respond to staff feedback.
Corporate Services support
- Line manage the AO Protocol Officer, ensuring arrival and departure notifications to DFAT for UKB (UK Based) and CBS staff are submitted, and that induction processes are consistent.
- Deputise for colleagues in Australia network corporate services to provide flexible ad hoc cover as required. Provide secretariat assistance for Corporate Services led committees and provide admin support for shared team mailboxes and task trackers.
- Depending on location, deliver local corporate service functions such as reporting or resolving IT or maintenance issues, keeping asset registers up-to-date, and procuring goods and services.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
- Reporting Officer for 1 x AO (Corporate Services Officer – Protocol).
- Maintenance of HR records for approximately 70 CBS.
- Oversight and preparation of CBS Pay Bill – annual budget approx £3 million.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: minimum of 3 years” experience in a customer-facing role.
- Prior HR and Payroll experience
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
- Understanding of Australian employment law and practices
- Experience of public sector / government administration
Required behaviours
Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
Application deadline
31 August 2025
Grade
Executive Officer (EO)
Type of Position
Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week
38
Region
Asia Pacific
Country/Territory
Australia
Location (City)
Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Type of Post
British High Commission
Number of vacancies
1
Salary Currency
AUD
Salary
AUD 94,773.00 per annum +12% superannuation
Type of Salary
yearly
Start Date
1 November 2025
Other benefits and conditions of employment
Salary is $94,773 per annum, paid out per month, plus 12% superannuation.
As part of the pre-employment requirements, the successful candidate must have the right to work in Australia. This includes Australian citizens/permanent residents and partners/ dependants of UK-based staff currently posted in Australia. Kindly send your proof of eligibility to work and reside in Australia to [email protected]. The successful applicant must also be capable of obtaining security clearance for the role, including satisfactory police and criminal record checks.
The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the FCO Diplomatic Academy. There are opportunities to job-shadow other staff, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in broader British High Commission activities. The British High Commission is committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.
Access to wide range of centrally provisioned learning and development materials. Role-specific HR and payroll learning and development opportunities can be considered based on need.
Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):
- In addition to the duties with this job normally entails, you may from time to time be required to undertake additional or other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the High Commission, including playing a part in the corporate life of the mission and supporting any crisis response.
- Employment offers are subject to successful clearance or pre-employment and vetting checks. Only shortlisted applications will be called for interview.
- This vacancy is advertised as a full-time, permanent role. It is open to candidates preferably located in Canberra, or (subject to agreement with the Hiring Manager/Line Manager) at one of our Network Posts in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, or Sydney. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
- Willingness to travel around Network as required.
Working patterns:
Monday – Friday. Core hours are between 1000-1600.
The overall package also includes the standard 14 days of public holidays that the UK in Australia Network all works to as well as 22 days annual leave.
Additional information
Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”
Applications must include a current CV and kindly omit any personal information such as Name, Contact Details, Birthday and Gender.
The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.
Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: No requirements
Apply for job
To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where (globalvacancies.org) you saw this job posting.