Team Assistant - Economics, Finance And Trade Policy, AO, New Delhi

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

Main purpose of the job:

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is responsible for promoting British interests overseas and for supporting British citizens and businesses around the globe. The British High Commission, New Delhi, is part of the FCDO and is responsible for managing all aspects of the United Kingdom’s relationship with India.

How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.

We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.

We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, the UK government, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.

We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way the UK government delivers international policy.

This role will provide executive support to two teams which sit at the heart of the British High Commission network in India: the Economics and Finance team and the Trade Policy team. The Economics and Finance team is based across New Delhi and Mumbai and leads on developing the UK-India economic and financial relationship. The Trade policy team is based in New Delhi and works to strengthen the UK-India trading relationship, including through ongoing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. Both teams work closely together as part of the British High Commission’s Trade and Prosperity section.

We are looking for an individual with outstanding organisational, communication and stakeholder management skills to provide excellent administrative support across these two teams. The successful candidate will play a central role for both teams, maintaining strong relationships with senior external stakeholders and supporting the team leaders in managing their time effectively,

Roles and responsibilities:

• The successful candidate will split their time equally in supporting both teams, prioritising through particularly busy periods. Key roles and responsibilities will include:


• Manage diaries for both team leaders, ensuring the most effective use of their time, anticipating future diary pressures and communicating these effectively.


• Arrange meetings for both team leaders and others in the team where necessary, deploying excellent communication and stakeholder management with both internal and external stakeholders.


• Provide support to team meetings, ensuring follow-up on any actions.


• General admin support to the wider team where necessary including assistance with contacts, stationery, corporate issues and budget.


• Proactively alert the team leaders of urgent matters, flagging priority correspondence and invites and taking the initiative to respond or seek guidance where necessary.


• General logistical and corporate support to the team leaders and wider teams where necessary including travel and room bookings and meeting setup.


• Maintaining records and documents for team leaders.


• Drafting, reviewing and sending communications on behalf of the team leaders.


• Build strong relationships with both teams and across the British High Commission network, developing a good understanding of responsibilities and priorities.


• Coordinate cross departments e.g. with IT team, central finance etc. to communicate to the team any important information .


• Assist in the coordination of visits both in India and the UK.


• Managing logistics support for team events .

Learning and development opportunities:

We place a strong emphasis on learning and development and there are wide ranging opportunities to take part in job-relevant training. You will be encouraged to undertake such training and get involved in corporate activities.

Any other information:

The India Network ensures staff enjoy a good work life balance and it is a stimulating place to work where we value diversity and inclusion, and care about the development of our people. We embrace flexible working arrangements, and welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Full professional fluency

Essential on arrival:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Time-management skills.


• Attention to detail.


• Organisational skills.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.


• Interpersonal skills.

• Relevant work experience as an administrative or executive assistant.


• Relevant experience working on economics, finance, trade or development.


• Experience working with Indian government stakeholders.


• Experience working with UK or other international organisations.

For BHC candidates, the Local BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be INR 48,766 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Superannuation Fund.

Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided.

Please note - BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.

Around half of our work forces are women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.

To Apply:

Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.

A. Complete the Online Application Form

B. Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 1st August 2022 till 23:55 (IST).

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission.

Please note - Provident Fund Transfer in and out from EPFO is not possible as BHC PF is managed by a private PF trust governed by Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The staff still has the option to transfer out and in from a privately held PF trust which are not governed by EPFO.

Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.

The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.