Graduate Recruitment at British High Commission (BHC)

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Clerical Assistant 

Job ID: (08/17 ABJ)
Location: Abuja
Grade: A2 (L)
Start Date: 1 August, 2017
Type of Position: Permanent
Job Category: Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Job Subcategory: MOD (Ministry of Defence) 

Main Purpose of Job

• PA to the Defence Adviser and Defence Section Administration Support.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Act as Defence Section Clerical Assistant, responsible for the direct administration support to the Defence Section.
• Arranging travel for Defence Section, including preparation and monitoring of allowances.
• General administration including filing, reproduction and despatch of documents, library and stationery supplies.
• Diary management, room bookings and transport bookings.
• Assisting with events and official visits.
• Day to day running of section accounts which include raising payment vouchers, paying invoices, organising entertainment expense authorisation, cash collection and refunds.
• Ensuring all payments are authorised correctly and allocated to relevant sub accounts.
• Complete monthly and quarterly budget returns. Clear audit trail for audit purposes.
• Maintain a monthly account spreadsheet and ensure copies are sent to HOCS FIN & IPP.
• Ensuring the Section is kept abreast of budgetary constraints against expenditure.
• Carry out comparative cross- referencing of monthly report issued by Accounts Section against the Defence expenditure, investigating where discrepancies occur.
• Maintenance of vehicle log book and production of fuel and mileage statistics.
• Maintenance of leave register. Advise Locally Engaged staff leave to FCO Personnel Department.
• Responsible for updating the INSA folder on shared drive.
• Managing Defence Section Drivers

Secondary/Occasional Duties

• Assist with the facilitation of visa applications as directed by ADA.
• Provide assistance to the ADA in the processing of visiting RAF and VIP flights, arranging diplomatic clearances and related administrative tasks as required.
• Assistance to the Section arranging diplomatic clearance and administration of incoming HM ships.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Detail orientated, able to multi-task and work under pressure.
• Team player, mature, self-motivated, able to work independently.
• Strong administrative experience; IT Literate is a must.
• Accounts experience desirable.
• The incumbent should be prepared to help wherever required on a variety of different topics even if this falls outside the strict job specification.
• Reliability, initiative and a high degree of responsibility and security are essential.
• As a representative of a small OGD in the Chancery, an ability to get on with others is necessary, good communication and inter-personal skills are essential.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Cash accounts experience.

Required Competencies:

• Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace

Starting Monthly Salary
N 457, 295

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment

• Responsibility allowance of N33,401.25
• Working hours: Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 1700, Friday 8:00 – 14:00 (38 hours per week)

How to Apply


Click here to apply online

Job Title: Community Liaison Officer (CLO) (07/17 LOS)

Location: Abuja
Grade: A2 (L)
Slot: 2
Type of Position: Part-Time
Working hours per week: 25 hours
Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Residence and Support Staff)
Job Subcategory: Community Liaison

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 
Main Purpose of Job:

• The main purpose of the Community Liaison Officer’s job is to support and bolster a cohesive and mutually supporting wider BHC community. The successful candidate will be part of a small team advocating for and providing support to UK-based staff and families on family and community issues primarily in the areas of arrival and departure from post, information gathering, welfare and communication.

Roles and Responsibilities / What Will the Job Holder Be Expected to Achieve?:

• To ensure that all new arrivals (single officers, couples, families and officers on temporary duty) are welcomed and supported into the community; that advice on living in Abuja is provided in advance both proactively and on demand; and to guide new arrivals through the arrival process, including orientation and induction briefing, with due care and attention. Specifically to engage in information gathering and providing advice on spouse/partner employment at Post and children’s education. To remain actively engaged with new arrivals by following up after a period of time to ensure that people have settled in well. (40%)
• To contribute fully and actively to a strong sense of community cohesion by ensuring that all members are encouraged to contribute and share relevant information on social events and amenities/restaurants/shops etc. To facilitate events, coordinate volunteers, and liaise/network with other missions’ CLOs and local expat groups/organisations. (40%)
• Advocate for UK-based staff and dependents in addressing issues of importance with Post management, including as their representative on the Joint Post Management Board, Post Housing Committee, and evacuation/contingency planning, and as the chief link between Post and DSFA in London. (15%)
• Resource management of CLO Imprest, book and DVD library, keeping updated the CLO Welcome Pack, and, with Post Management, coordination of update of the Post Report.(5%)

How should this be achieved?

• The successful CLO needs to be approachable and sympathetic, be a good listener, discreet and able to respect confidences. CLOs may often be the first person at Post to hear of a problem and should be prepared to listen and signpost to where solutions may be obtained. The CLOs report directly into the Deputy High Commissioner, and are expected to advise him on community needs where relevant to wider management decisions.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Must have a sound understanding of expatriate life.
• You must be able to demonstrate excellent written and spoken English
• Must be comfortable using Word, Excel and Outlook.
• You will need to be able to work independently, using initiative and problem solving skills.
• The successful candidate must be sympathetic, discrete and a good listener.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience 
Required competencies:

• Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Collaborating and Partnering, Demonstrating Resilience

Starting Monthly Salary
N257,956


How to Apply


Click here to apply online

Deadline: 20th June, 2017.

Additional Information

• The candidate must be a British passport holder who already has or is able to obtain UK Security Clearance, or another national who has recently lived at least five consecutive years in the UK and may be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance.
• The candidate must also provide evidence that they have permission to work for the British High Commission in Nigeria. Any applicant who does not provide evidence of this will be sifted out at the first stage.
• Please complete the application form in full. Failure to do so may result in a determination that you do not meet the requirements for the position.
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Abuja are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
• All applicants must be legally able to work in the country of application with the correct visa/status or work permit.
• Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
• Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted.
• Any questions you may have about this position will be answered during the interview, should you be invited.
• Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework
• Successful candidates not resident in Nigeria will be personally liable for costs and arrangements to relocate, including accommodation and work permits.
• Check your application and attachments before you submit your application, as you will not be able to make any changes once submitted.
• The British High Commission will never ask you to pay a fee or money to apply for a position.