View Vacancy – Political and Projects Officer (03/24 LIB)

Main purpose of job:

The BHC Libreville is the newest, but also one of the smallest, Missions in the UK’s overseas network. As such, we are looking for a dynamic individual, able to work flexibly across all of the Mission’s business areas. The successful candidate will manage the administration and day-to-day operation of the office, will provide direct support to the High Commissioner in achieving the Mission’s policy objectives including organising inward visits, and will lead on policy objectives of their own, on the Economy and on Development. We anticipate the split will be:

• 25% Economic and Trade
• 25% Development
• 30% direct support to the High Commissioner
• 20% office management / flexible resource

Roles and responsibilities:

Economic and Trade:

• Provide timely economic reporting / analysis, including on how government spending will impact domestic politics.
• Support UK in Gabon trade work, including building relationships with businesses, and supporting/delivering initiatives to foster economic opportunities for the UK and Gabon.

Development:

• Build UK understanding on Gabon’s development ambitions.
• Develop high-level contacts with key stakeholders in relevant Government institutions in Gabon and the UK.
• Support UK development assistance, including on nature and the environment.

Support to High Commissioner:

• Provide operational, administrative & logistical support to the High Commissioner and their business objectives including, but not limited to, maintaining contact databases, arranging business travel, and performing research tasks.  
• Give policy advice to the High Commissioner as needed.
• Lead on all inward visits to the High Commission, including Ministerial visits.

Office management / Flexible:

• Managing the administration and day-to-day operation of the office, including liaison with the host government on administrative and protocol issues.
• Being the point of contact for the landlord of the building in which our Mission is located.
• Building and maintaining relationships with our commercial suppliers/partners, including managing our commercial contracts and payments to suppliers.
• Management of the Mission’s finances.
• Providing cover for/support to other colleagues within the Mission.
• Other ad hoc duties as required.

Resources managed: 

No management of FCDO staff, but the successful candidate will be responsible for liaison with / coordination of the High Commissioner’s driver, who is provided by an external supplier.

As the High Commission’s lead on its relationship with external suppliers, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring payments are made accurately and promptly for services the High Commission receives from commercial suppliers.  

• Degree qualification or equivalent experience
• Strong political understanding and nous, and knowledge of the Gabonese context
• Previous experience in similar role in public sector or with bilateral/multilateral organizations
• Experience of building a network and managing effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, delivery partners and local and community groups
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (in both English and French) on complex matters, often requiring persuasion and influence
• Ability to identify strategic opportunities and risks, underlying drivers and connections
• Computer literate and proficient user of Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel and SharePoint 
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Language requirements: 

Language: English & French

Level of language required: Fluent