Bk - Community Liaison Officer Clo , A2 L

(Roles and Responsibilities)
• MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB
• :
• The British Embassy Bangkok is a large diplomatic mission of around 140 staff delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK's objectives including on prosperity, trade, security, open societies, consular services and law enforcement. The Embassy is a modern, diverse and inclusive employer where everyone contributes to the Embassy's CORE Values of Generosity, Ambition and Courage._

This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team.

You will work closely with the senior management team in Bangkok to provide pastoral and welfare support to UK based (UKB) staff and families from all government departments. You will need to gather information and provide support before the arrival of new UKB staff and during their diplomatic posting. You will report to the Deputy Head of Mission (DHM) but will need to be able to work independently and prioritise your workload to ensure that UK based staff, partners and family members receive the right level of support. You will need to be approachable and sympathetic, but also robust where necessary, for example when managing expectations. You may be the recipient of confidential/sensitive information so you must be discreet and observe confidentiality. You will need to escalate issues to senior management at the Embassy and seek outcomes.
• ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Welfare and community support
• - Ensuring a smooth arrival and integration into the Embassy community for staff and families on diplomatic postings to Bangkok
• Providing a short orientation to life in Bangkok and the Embassy community and following up to ensure that the settling in process is working
• Acting as a source of formal and informal support and onward referral for diplomatic posted staff and family members where questions, problems and difficulties arise, including advising on how to seek further help for sensitive personal issues maintaining confidentiality over sensitive/personal issues
• Advocate for UKB staff and families in addressing issues of importance with Embassy management, including participation as the family/community representative on the Post Housing Committee, Health & Safety Committee, and as the main link between Post and the Diplomatic Service Families Association in London (who work with the FCDO to implement and monitor policies affecting families)
• Supporting and advising the DHM to ensure positive cohesion and welfare across the Embassy community
• Information gathering and communication
• Collating and sharing information on issues of concern to posted staff, spouses and families, including children's education; spouse/partner education, career and training opportunities; social and recreational opportunities and medical facilities, including information sharing with families before they arrive
• Researching relevant information and completing corporate returns and reports as required, including School and Nursery Information Sheets of authorised schools at Post; Schools Information Sheet (SIS); DSFA Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Report; Cost of Living Allowance survey; annual school fees estimate;
• Keeping the the Post Welcome Pack, Post Report and Post Factsheet up to date, to ensure that all information is correct
• Publishing a regular CLO newsletter, with a community/ UKB focus, containing information on social matters and information on living in Thailand
• Education support
• - Supporting UK-based staff to secure places at schools and tutors when needed, including provision of information in advance, giving clear notice of deadlines and liaising with the schools as necessary
• Checking and authorisation of education invoices
• Other
• - Lead on organising of Embassy social events (ie non official events) including Christmas and ad hoc social and family events
• Participate in organisation of key Embassy-wide official events
• Leading the welfare team in a crisis, ensuring staff are trained and equipped, organising all rotas for shift work and maintaining an up to date contact list for UKB dependents and acting as a line of communication between Embassy management and families on emergency planning

In terms of peak operation demand, work flexibly within the Section and within the Embassy
• RESOURCES MANAGED
• (staff and expenditure):
• None

Essential qualifications, skills and experience
• Essential on arrival
• Experience of living & working in a foreign country and the challenges this brings
• Proven record of taking responsibility, using initiative and working independently; excellent organisational and planning skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; good understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness
• Good advocacy and influencing skills
• Good IT skills
• A positive attitude and resilience to the challenges of living