Main purpose of job:

To work closely with Post Management in Kampala for the well-being of all staff at Post, with primary function as the advocate for and provision of support to UK based (UKB) staff and families from all Government Departments on family and community issues, principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare and communication.

Roles and responsibilities:

This role would suit someone with experience of living overseas with a diplomatic mission. It is flexible, fun and offers possibilities for personal development.  As the first person that many diplomats and their partners have  contact with at the High Commission, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) is in many ways the face of the office. It is your role to settle people into life in Kampala, help them to navigate a new country and meet their own needs.

You will also play a vital role in the overall life of the British High Commission (BHC). You will support the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner in ensuring the positive morale and smooth running of the High Commission. You will take a lead on core aspects of internal communications for the whole BHC community and help the People Committee in determining and implementing follow-up to the staff survey results. Support large BHC events (e.g. the King’s Birthday Party) and UKB focussed social events. It is recommended that the CLO be trained as a Mental Health First Aider and Fairness Champion. You may be called on to support others in their roles. At a time of significant UKB turnover the CLO will immediately play a vital role in settling in new staff and families and continuing a positive BHC culture.

The successful candidate will be good at relating to a range of people, diligent in helping people when asked and offering when not, and customer service focused. The role is well suited for someone looking for a flexible working pattern and friendly work environment.

Specific tasks include:

• Information gathering for UK-based officers and their spouses/partners and families. To include information primarily on spouse/partner employment at Post; children’s education (through completion of separate School and Nursery Information Sheets of authorised schools at Post); medical facilities (including coordinating visits by the Regional Medical Officer); local employment or training opportunities for spouses/partners; single officer and foreign born spouse/partner issues; recreational facilities; social matters; and completion of Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Reports as well as cost of living surveys.
• Communicating effectively on community and social matters across Post to all UKB staff and families through a monthly newsletter. The CLO is expected to organise regular events for families but also larger events for the wider mission (e.g. High Commissioner led events and KBP) in support to the Events Officer and/or working in conjunction with the Social Committee.
• Advising the High Commissioner and Deputy on issues of staff morale and staff survey scores. Design interventions as appropriate to address staff concerns and facilitating discussions amongst staff on sensitive issues (particularly bullying, harassment and discrimination and sexual harassment). Support Post leadership in implementing a OneHMG culture at Post.
• Welfare at Post: Provision of formal and informal support to officers and families on arrival and throughout their posting. Welcoming all staff on posting/temporary duty/flexible deployment and accompanying families to ensure as smooth an integration as possible into the life of the Post community; following up to check that the settling in process is working; being a source of referral and support where questions, problems and difficulties arise; providing short Post community induction.
• Advocate for UK based staff and families in addressing issues of importance with Post Management, including as their representative on evacuation/contingency planning and housing committees, and as the chief link between Post and the Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA) in London. The CLO participates and is an active member of Post committees such as the Housing, Health and Safety Committees and Social Committees. It is recommended that they train as a mental Health First Aider and Fairness Champion.
• Information management of Post Welcome Pack, CLO homepage on Post’s Intranet site, input to update and review of Post Report and Fact Sheet. The incumbent should update CLO news and information on notice boards and advertises details of DSFA career support services and courses to eligible UKB spouses/partners at Post.
• Emergency Planning: the CLO must be aware of and involved in any Post contingency, evacuation and drawdown plans. They will hold the role of welfare manager in the BHC crisis structure.

Resources managed:

The CLO is based at The British High Commission (BHC) Kampala. The BHC is located in a purpose-built compound which offers excellent office accommodation. It is a very friendly team. There are 24 members of UKB staff and a mix of single officers and families at Post.

• At least two (2) years experience of living overseas with a diplomatic mission
• Proven communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with and build relationships with people at different levels of the international bodies and with external partners with confiednce and diplomacy
• Events Management experience
• Project Management experience

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Expert