View Vacancy – Chevening Programme Assistant AO – (51/24 PTA) – (MATERNITY COVER)

Main purpose of job:

Chevening is the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s flagship global scholarship programme. Celebrating its 41 years anniversary in 2024/2025, Chevening identifies future leaders and key influencers across 160 countries and territories, providing them with an opportunity to study a postgraduate degree in the UK. Chevening has a 56,000 strong global alumni network.

Since Chevening’s inception in 1983, over 900 South Africans have had the opportunity to participate in this program.  Our alumni continue to contribute to South Africa’s development in different capacities. The incumbent will work with a dedicated team at the High Commission in Pretoria to deliver the Chevening Scholarship Scheme.

We run a flagship Chevening scholarship programme, offering ~30 scholarships in South Africa to fully fund master’s degree in the UK.  The Chevening Scholarship scheme enables students in South Africa with leadership qualities to undertake postgraduate study or courses in universities in the United Kingdom. The Chevening programme also has a component of fellowship which is in partnership with the Clore Leadership. The fellowship has a niche area for South Africa in media, arts and culture.

The post holder will support the administration of the Chevening Scholarship in South Africa reporting to the Chevening officer.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Lead administration and logistics, including downloading applications, assisting with shortlisting, arranging interview panels, updating the Chevening online application system with short-lists and interview results and organising pre-departure briefings
• Support delivery of Chevening media, communications and outreach events including University fairs, education exhibitions and road shows
• Management of promotional and marketing material, including liaison with the Chevening Secretariat and other suppliers on design, branding and delivery
• Promote Chevening information to colleagues in the High Commission to foster office wide marketing of the scholarships
• Update and maintain the Chevening alumni database for South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini
• Support the organisation of alumni outreach events
• Other administrative support to the Economic Growth Team as required

As all other staff at post, the post holder is expected to participate in wider British High Commission activities. These may include being active on various committees and in other corporate roles.

• A degree in International Relations, Social Science, Development Studies or any related qualifications
• 2 years’ experience working in a team in an office environment
• Strong interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills
• Meticulous attention to details
• Strong customer focus, stakeholder engagement and team working skills
• Strong IT skills, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and web-based applications