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Job summary

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

The success of a government project can depend on secure, timely shipments and our Logistics team always deliver the goods. From dedicated drivers to King's Messengers, they've delivered to over 250 destinations worldwide, moving over a million kilograms of freight annually across land, air, and sea. Now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

Delivering globally.

Dispatching each shipment with care.

Seeing your impact go further.

It all matters.

Job description

Communicate clearly with customers at the very highest levels

As the Executive Assistant to our Head of Global Logistics, you’ll be a direct point of contact for everyone from the most senior colleagues to external stakeholders across government. With that in mind, we’ll expect you to be a born communicator, being clear, accurate and persuasive in everything you do. Organising key meetings, providing secretariat support, managing diaries and inboxes, keeping accurate records and minutes, drafting communications – you’ll focus on all these things and more as you help to keep the team running smoothly and efficiently.

Work on a wide range of exciting projects

You’ll be balancing a number of competing demands and changing priorities, so this is a job where you’ll be busy from the moment you join us. You’ll always be ready to respond to requests and feedback from our stakeholders, and adept at building close relationships with other members of the team. We’ll also expect you to ensure the Head of Global Logistics Hera account is managed effectively, work that will include the handling of expenses. In addition, you’ll assist with the management of annual leave requests and performance reviews, monitor stocks of office consumables, manage filing systems and raise purchase orders. Arranging UK and overseas travel will be another key part of your work, and you’ll also help to organise events, onboard new members of the team and resolve any queries you receive from our customers.

You’ll also collaborate superbly with colleagues and customers, be able to absorb complex data and confidential conversations, and create accurate briefings, minutes and reports to support the effectiveness of the organisation. Your input into projects will help the team meet key milestones. And your brilliant Microsoft Office skills and experience of electronic diary management will mean you’ll hit the ground running in this highly visible, fast-paced role.

Use all your skills, knowledge and expertise as you support our global mission

To be a success in this busy role you’ll be highly organised, a natural problem solver and ready to work to tight deadlines without direct supervision – in short, a committed colleague who is always calm under pressure. A superb communicator with experience of minute taking, proofreading, summarising and understanding complex information. Your finely tuned diplomatic skills will allow you to deliver difficult messages, maintain the confidence of everyone you work with, and handle sensitive information with tact and discretion.

We’ll look for a strong customer focus, good knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of software. As ours is a fast-paced environment, you should be flexible, enthusiastic, positive and capable of adapting quickly to change. This is an exciting time for our Logistics operation and we’re currently making a significant investment in the facilities and tools we use – join us and you’ll have a unique opportunity to take your career to new heights with a dynamic, global organisation.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, excellent holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Security Check (SC) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

We are looking for people with:

• Strong communication skills – written and verbal with experience of minute taking, and the ability to proofread, summarise and communicate complex information.
• Highly organised, with ability to stay calm under pressure and work to deadlines without direct supervision.
• Good judgement, tact and diplomatic skills – ability to deliver difficult messages and maintain the confidence of colleagues at all levels, handling sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Understanding of and ability to provide high levels of customer service to internal and external stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Strong communication skills both written and verbal with experience of minute taking, and the ability to proofread, summarise and communicate complex information
• Understanding of and ability to provide high levels of customer service to internal and external stakeholders
• Good judgement, tact and diplomatic skills – ability to deliver difficult messages and maintain the confidence of colleagues at all levels, handling sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to influence change to improve ways of working and support SLT to adopt change while remaining organised.

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Strong communication skills both written and verbal with experience of minute taking, and the ability to proofread, summarise and communicate complex information
• Understanding of and ability to provide high levels of customer service to internal and external stakeholders

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,898, FCDO Services contributes £9,240 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• Annual leave starting at 25 days.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension.
• Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

• no personal identifying details

• career history with key responsibilities

• achievements

• qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a Face to Face interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk
• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact FCDOServices.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.

Attachments

Candidate pack Executive Assistant Global Logistics Opens in new window (pdf, 1805kB)