Socialnetlink 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, 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.
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Main purpose of job
An exciting role in a busy and vibrant Embassy, which has expanded significantly in the last year. The CLO works closely with the Embassy’s Senior Management for the well-being of all staff at Post, with primary role being to advocate for and support UK-based staff and families across the One HMG platform on a range of issues, including family and community, welfare, communication and information gathering. This is a varied and dynamic role, involving both internal engagement at all levels and external outreach too.
This is a part-time post. The number of hours is 26.25.
Roles and responsibilities
The British Embassy Dakar has expanded significantly in recent months, with a number of new UK-based staff and families arriving. The CLO’s support both to UK-based staff and families as well as participation in the wider life of the Embassy can make a huge difference to welfare and morale at Post for all staff.
Welfare at Post: 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. CLOs are not expected to be medically trained and have no medical responsibility.
Advocate for UK-based staff and families in addressing issues of importance with Senior Management, including as their representative on relevant committees, evacuation/contingency planning and housing committees, and as the chief link between Post and DSFA in London.
Information gathering for UK-Based officers and their spouses/partners and families, and Local Staff on flexible deployment (including for those not yet at Post). To include (where applicable) information primarily on spouse/partner employment at Post; children’s education (through completion of separate HR School and Nursery Information Sheets of authorised schools at Post); a comprehensive information pack on childcare at post, feedback on adult education; career and training opportunities; single officer and foreign born spouse/partner issues; recreational facilities; social matters; and completion of DSFA Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Report.
Effective communication. The CLO has an important role to play in communicating both within and outside the Embassy. The CLO will need to be able to listen actively and offer support and advice where needed, as well communicating at a professional level to senior management and with staff at all levels. The CLO will participate in the Housing Committee, and help advice the Estates Team on finding suitable housing for new arrivals. The CLO also sits on the 1 HMG committee and Post Security Committee.
The CLO should advertise details of DSFA career support services and courses to eligible UK-Based spouses/partners at Post. CLO is expected to establish some form of communication for staff and spouses/partners across Post, such as a WhatsApp group, in accordance with the FCO social media policy.
Information management of Post Welcome Pack, CLO homepage on Post’s Intranet/SharePoint site, input to update and review of Post Report and Fact Sheet; management of domestic equipment float. CLOs should be accessible and able to provide information in areas including pre-Posting information, spouse/partner employment at Post; child and adult education, childcare, recreation facilities and training opportunities.
Corporate role: Every member of the Embassy is expected to take on a wider corporate role. The incumbent leads on wellbeing as well as taking part in the Learning & Development committee. The successful candidate could continue these roles or volunteer for a different area.
Emergency Planning: the CLO must be aware of and involved in any Post contingency and evacuation plans. All CLOs should complete the Crisis Preparedness Management eLearning on GLO. They are welcome to play a role in the Crisis Management Committee, for example as Welfare Representative.
All the above tasks require the CLO to have strong links with senior management, relevant FCO departments and the DSFA’s London office.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
A CLO should be a good listener, a strong communicator and have good organisational skills.
The CLO is often the recipient of confidential/sensitive information from senior management and from staff and families. For this reason, they must have strong interpersonal skills and be discreet and observe complete confidentiality
Language: Fluent English written and oral
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
Previous CLO experience or experience of expatriate Embassy life
A good knowledge of Dakar, such as places to shop, eat out, socialise and meet new people and an enthusiasm for sharing them
Experience of working in a customer facing environment or with welfare issues.
French would be a significant advantage as most outward facing engagement will need to be in French. The successful candidate would need to commit to language training if needed.
Required competencies
Changing and Improving, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service
Other benefits and conditions of employment
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
Attendance at the CLO Course in London. French language training (if required).
Working patterns
If the job is suitable for flexible working patterns, please provide details:
This currently a partime-role of 26.25 hours per week 03 days per week but a flexible working pattern can be agreed with Line Management.
The CLO will will sometimes receive calls and questions outside of core days in the office. Time off in lieu can be arranged to compensate for this.
Additional information
All applicants must be legally able to work in Senegal with the correct visa/status or work permit.
The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Senegal law to work in Senegal.
The British Embassy in Dakar is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Dakar is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Senegalese employment law.
Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.
Job details
Application deadline : 19 June 2020
Grade : A2 (L)
Type of Position : Fixed Term
Working hours per week : 26.25
Duration of Post : 18 months
Starting monthly salary () : XOF 570,672
Start Date : 3 August 2020
