Executive Assistant to High Commissioner EO - (24 / 25 PTA)

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 412,000; Full time

Job summary

The British High Commission seeks an Executive Officer to support the High Commissioner. This role involves managing office workflow, diary management, and travel coordination while overseeing an executive assistant. Candidates should possess excellent communication, organisational skills and a proactive attitude. A commitment to a culture of continuous improvement is essential.

Benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working pattern

Health cover for staff and dependants

Qualifications

• Experience working in an Executive Office.
• Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support the High Commissioner with office management, including diary and travel.
• Monitor and organise workflow, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Manage events hosted by the Mission.

Skills

Diary management

Communication

Organisational skills

Time management

Proactive approach

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require. Job Category Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Residence and Support Staff) Job Subcategory Private Office Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job :

Support the High Commissioner across the full range of his responsibilities, through the efficient running of his office, including workflow, diary, and travel management. Be an active part of the wider executive office team including helping to co-ordinate key activities across the British High Commission. Line manage the Deputy High Commissioner’s Executive Assistant and provide support and cover as required.

Roles and responsibilities :

• The role is an excellent opportunity for you to develop your skills and network at the heart of the UKinSA team. As a key member of the BHC’s Executive Office, you will make decisions about where the High Commissioner can add value and make meaningful interventions, as well as liaising with all those who carry out work on his behalf.
• You will monitor and organise the High Commissioner’s workflow, filtering and prioritising demands on his time and attention, ensuring important / urgent work is actioned or delegated appropriately (including in his absence). You will ensure deadlines are kept, commissioning briefing / papers for meetings and booking travel. You will ensure the efficient running of his office, working closely with senior management and the residence manager in Cape Town and Pretoria, respectively. You will oversee key products to enable the Mission to operate more effectively, including a Forward Look of forthcoming UKinSA activity.
• You will manage the AO Executive Assistant to the Deputy High Commissioner, ensuring they provide effective support to the Deputy High Commissioner and to the High Commissioner in instances where cover is needed. You will also assist in supporting the Deputy High Commissioner as required.
• This is a challenging but rewarding role at the centre of a high profile and busy team it is an ideal role in which to hone a wide range of skills across the competencies of Grade EO. You will have excellent communication and people skills, which will allow you to develop close working relationships within the High Commission and colleagues across the teams as well as external stakeholders. You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, ensuring requests are processed in a clear and timely manner and decisions are enacted promptly. Through your interactions with all you will be a champion of our values of kindness and respect as a mission (our values statement : “we are a diverse and inclusive workplace where all are respected, trusted, appreciated and empowered”).
• You will be enthusiastic, resilient and flexible with an ability to prioritise tasks and manage the High Commissioner’s diary with a proactive ‘hands on’ approach. This busy, interesting and challenging role will require strong organisational skills and an ability to think ahead and use your initiative. Key to this is Delivering at Pace and Making Effective Decisions.
• You will manage and oversee along with the Chief of Staff the events which the Mission will host for staff throughout the year, chairing an events committee and ensuring all staff feel part of the wider UKinSA network.
• The job will include occasional travel to Cape Town to help with major events the High Commissioner hosts there.
• Some occasional out of office hours work (e.g. attending events at the Residence) will be required and TOIL can be claimed for this.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure) :

• 1 member of staff -1xAO

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Diary management, computer skills (Microsoft Office), typing and time management skills
• Experience working in an Executive Office
• Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to chair meetings
• The ability and resilience to manage multiple projects concurrently, meet deadlines and keep stakeholders updated on progress throughout
• A proactive approach and demonstrable ability to show initiative
• A focus on continuous improvement and an active interest in working to simplify processes and improve efficiency

Desirable qualifications,skills and experience

• Experience working in an overseas mission and knowledge of how the FCDO works

Required behaviours Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together Application deadline 9 July 2025 Grade Executive Officer (EO) Type of Position Fixed term, with possibility of renewal Working hours per week 36.5 hours Region Africa Country / Territory South Africa Location (City) Pretoria Type of Post British High Commission Number of vacancies 1 Salary R 411 391,66 Type of Salary yearly Start Date 1 August 2025 End Date 31 March 2026 Other benefits and conditions of employment

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

The High Commission has a strong developmental culture, including an active Learning and Development (L&D) programme. Senior management lead by example by delivering regular L&D sessions and taking time out for their own formal L&D. You will be encouraged to contribute and take part. The High Commission fully supports Diplomatic Academy completion.

Working patterns :

• Flexible Work with minimum three days in the office

The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses / partners and dependants.

• Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.