View Vacancy – Community Liaison Officer (01/24 LIL)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Community Liaison

Main purpose of job:

To work closely with the senior management team for the well-being of all staff at the British High Commission Lilongwe, with the primary function as advocate for and provision of support to UK-based staff and families (FCDO) on family and community issues, principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare and communication.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

  • The CLO serves all UK-based officers (including Officers on temporary duty) to ensure a smooth integration into life in Lilongwe.
  • The role requires someone who is proactive, confident, approachable and friendly. The individual should have strong communication skills, including strong listening skills. They should also be willing to be adaptable and flexible to deal with changing circumstances and a diverse range of needs. Given the nature of the role, empathy and discretion are particularly important.

Key responsibilities are as follows:

  • To give advice to new staff and families regarding living in Lilongwe; e.g. what to prepare and bring, education/local schools, car purchase, medical facilities etc.
  • Prior to new staff and families arrival (for those going straight to their accommodation), to ensure readiness, and that a basic set of supplies including float (and food supplies if requested) are available. This service is also extended to departing staff.
  • Building and maintaining key contacts in the schools, nurseries and health facilities, to ensure a high level of service for UKB Officers and their families
  • Information gathering for families, spouses/partners and officers (including those not yet at Post) – primarily on spouse/ partner employment at Post; child and adult education (e.g. by completing the HR School/Nursery Information Sheets); care and training opportunities; single officer and foreign-born spouse/partner issues; recreational facilities; social matters. Support staff during familiarisation visit (tour main shopping and discuss with new arriving staff points of interest they’d like to visit)
  • To help staff and families with their familiarisation/tour/recce (where applicable) of local shops, schools, clubs, etc. and introduce them to appropriate local communities. Continuously maintain necessary support throughout their posting.
  • To assist families with any problems or queries of a welfare or administrative nature confidentially.
  • To produce a newsletter as required, a Post Welcome Pack, and assist with updating Post Report and Fact Sheet. Ensure timely delivery of these as required.
  • Check emergency contacts are up to date
  • To respond to all queries and administrative requests from DSFA and HR e.g. completing Annual Spouse and Partner Employment Report, HR school information sheet and distributing information (Carousel magazine) from DSFA.
  • Completing the twice yearly ECA Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) survey and assist the ECA Hardship survey as required.
  • Liaise with the FCDO Health line (Healix) as necessary regarding healthcare facilities at post, and with the Regional Medical Advisor to produce a Good Health Guide.
  • Sit on the Post Housing Committee, to support consistency and transparency in the allocation of properties

  • Excellent communication and Interpersonal skills
  • Hold a valid driving license
  • 3 years customer services experience
  • Good knowledge of Lilongwe
  • Very organised
  • Very flexible

  • Experience in a similar role, eg. Social Secretary, etc.

Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

25 April 2024

Administrative Officer (AO)

Fixed Term

25 hours

24 months

Africa

Malawi

Lilongwe

British High Commission

1

USD 1,055. (monthly basic salary)

13 May 2024

15 May 2026

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

There is ample opportunity to develop through FCDO/Civil Service training courses; there is also a global CLO Network which functions as a shared virtual place where CLOs across the globe post useful information or documents.  The British High Commission has a generous training budget and we encourage staff to identify training to improve their performance and aid their career progression, in consultation with their line-manager.

Working patterns:

25 hours per week. The job holder will have an FCDO email account and a desk in the office but should expect to spend a lot of their time outside the office.

  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
  • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Lilongwe are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Malawi.
  • All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  1. Obtain the relevant permit
  2. Pay fees for the permit
  3. Make arrangements to relocate
  4. Meet the costs to relocation
  • The British High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
  • Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
  • Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles. Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
  • Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 3/6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
To help us track our recruitment effort, please specify on the application form/indicate in your cover letter where (globalvacancies.org) you saw this job posting.

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