Main purpose of job: 

The job holder will join the diverse and inclusive British High Commission (BHC) team to maintain our strong bilateral relationship with Brunei and deliver our wider goals according to our Country Business Plan. 

Working in the Political Team, you’ll be responsible for supporting a wide range of domestic, regional and international priorities; arranging and assisting with calls and meetings; conducting research, providing programme and budgetary support and helping to ensure that deadlines are met.  You’ll also provide cover to the Chancery’s Executive Assistant when the Assistant is absent. As assistant to the Political, Press and Public Affairs Officer you will assist with media handling, social media campaigns and drafting public messages. You will arrange programmes and logistics for incoming and outgoing visits and have the opportunity to develop your drafting skills. You will work with colleagues across the High Commission and liaise with Ministries, business and civil society, as well as with other UK and foreign diplomatic missions and colleagues in London. 

You should be customer focused, with good IT skills and organised. Familiarity with social media platforms and communications work would be helpful. In our small mission you will need to be flexible and adaptable, able to turn your hand to different tasks as necessary. You should be able to write clear and simple emails and letters in English and willing to take responsibility to work with little supervision. You should show initiative and energy and have an interest in contributing to the High Commission’s wider work. 

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

Political

• Develop productive relationships at the working level with relevant Bruneian officials.

• Develop an understanding of domestic and regional issues in Brunei and the ASEAN region.

• Understand the High Commission’s priorities under the Country Business Plan and how your role will support delivery of these.

• Assist on taking forward agreed actions following our annual UK-Brunei Strategic Dialogue.

• Take accurate notes and produce first draft write-ups of meetings.

• Contribute to drafting Travel Advice and replies to emails from members of the public.

• Monitor the media for changes to government policies, government statements, public reactions to domestic and international issues, media reports and domestic events of interest, producing short summaries and analysis. 

Communications

• Monitor High Commission’s social media.

• Draft and produce content for our social media, press releases and promotional material.

• Assist in producing communication plans for the High Commission.

• Assist with media handling, including arranging media support at events or during visits.

Team support

• Provide support to the Political Team

• Provide resilience for other colleagues when required

• Prepare correspondence and letters

• Keep track of team tasking and forward look calendar

• Arrange calls and meetings

• Ensure new contacts are added to High Commission contacts database.

• Monitor social media and report matters of interest

Visits

• Contribute ideas for and help organise programmes for incoming visitors, coordinating logistical arrangements, briefing and advice.

• Assist in a coordinating role for the Chancery Team in arranging events.

Other

• Contribute to wider High Commission work, including corporate roles such as Fire Warden or First Aider.

• Have a flexible can-do attitude to seek out, initiate and take on other responsibilities as required

• Make a corporate contribution to the working of the embassy 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): None although there may be some administrative oversight of budgets.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Good knowledge of Brunei government procedure and cultural sensitives when engaging with local and international stakeholders.

• Excellent organisational skills.

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, accurate typing, at ease with using online systems.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.

• Flexible, resilient under pressure with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard.

• Professional and friendly manner, in person and on the phone.

• A minimum of two years’ experience working in a policy or executive support role, preferably in a diplomatic mission, government department or large corporate structure.

Language requirements: 

Language: Fluent English. Malay helpful but not essential.

Level of language required: Good written and spoken skills in English

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• A good understanding of domestic and regional affairs.

• Knowledge of Brunei and the ASEAN region.

• A background in international affairs / experience in an international organisation.

• A knowledge of civil society in Brunei.

• Experience of managing diaries, arranging visit and preparing programmes.

• Experience of social media and communications work.