View Vacancy – Political Section Administrative Officer – UK Mission to the United Nations

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting opportunity for an active and dynamic person to work at the forefront of international diplomacy and in the heart of the British Government’s Mission to the United Nations (UKMIS NY).

You will act as Political Section Administrative Officer and executive assistant to the UK Minister Counsellor (Political), and provide administrative, budget management and some policy support to the wider Political section at the UK Mission to the United Nations.

The Political section is an exciting team of 26 colleagues at the heart of the 115-person strong UK Mission’s effort to promote key Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) objectives in the UN Security Council. 

You will work with a diverse range of stakeholders, both within and outside the UK government, on a wide range of issues. The jobholder must have an adaptable approach and a ‘can do’ attitude’ with a willingness to learn and work flexibly across a broad range of issues, including new areas which might emerge during the individual’s time in the role.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach.

In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Providing secretarial and administrative support to the UK Minister Counsellor (Political) through: effective diary management to ensure their time is used efficiently and purposefully, monitoring of and responding to correspondence, accurate reconciling of expenses, creative use of social media, and working collaboratively with others to ensure high-quality briefings and statements for UN meetings/events.
• Providing administrative support to the wider Political team including: information management, compiling briefings, co-managing the UK Mission shared inbox and incoming correspondence, budget planning and monitoring, annual leave management, and monitoring, managing stationery and other office supplies.
• Assisting with UKMIS-led virtual and in-person events, including: designing and issuing invitations, managing RSVPs, coordinating with relevant external stakeholders at the UN, handling virtual room settings and speakers’ lists, and booking refreshments.
• Assisting with incoming visits, including by UK Ministers, senior officials and UK election candidates, by setting up programmes, organising logistics and arranging catering.
• Covering for the other members of the UKMIS Administrative Team as necessary; including some flexible hours.
• Additional duties, tasks, and/or projects as assigned.
• For the right candidate, there will opportunities to develop policy skills and an understanding of diplomacy and multilateral work, as long as the post-holder’s core duties and responsibilities are being well delivered. Policy work could include: attending UN meetings and events on behalf of the UK, attending UN negotiations on behalf of the UK, writing briefings for senior meetings and writing meeting readouts for colleagues and being part of policy development and discussions.

The ideal candidate must have a can-do attitude. They will be an enthusiastic and flexible team player, with strong organisational skills and able to deliver results quickly and accurately with great attention to detail and be able to shift priorities swiftly to a variety of different tasks.  Strong written communication skills would be advantageous.  For the right candidate, there will opportunities to develop policy skills and an understanding of diplomacy and multilateral work.

Resources managed:

No staff or budget resource management but the role may require support to the Team Lead and Finance Officer to monitor section expenditure and update monthly budget reports. 

• Two years’ work experience in a relevant field or related education.
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills.
• Track record of organisational skills, including managing multiple tasks and strong attention to detail.
• Proactive and flexible team player, ready to help out all colleagues and sections when needed.
• Strong computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage stakeholders and conduct administrative tasks.
• Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application.