JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – Political & Defence Assistant (MLT25.305)

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 identity, 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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)

Job Subcategory

MOD (Ministry of Defence)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Who are we:

The British High Commission (BHC) in Malta is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Political & Defence Assistant to provide administrative and logistical support to the British High Commission Political Team, and the UK Defence Adviser to Malta (based in Rome).

Roles and responsibilities:

Political Duties

• Manage the British High Commission’s General Enquiries Mailbox and Facebook/X inboxes – our public facing channels;
• Keep abreast of the local political landscape and draft press reviews for the British High Commission summarising key developments from Maltese media;
• Assist the Political Officers in the team with issues related to their portfolios, covering a range of foreign policy matters;
• Support the political team with administrative tasks, including issuing of invitations, logistical arrangements for UK official visits to Malta, administrative support on BHC programmes, and ad hoc tasks as requested;
• Participate in High Commission corporate activities.

Defence Duties

• Process Diplomatic clearances for British military training activities in Malta. This includes Adventure Training, Battlefield Tours and Sports Activities;
• Process British military aircraft overflight and landing requests through Malta;
• Process clearance requests for British Royal Navy and military vessel visits to Malta;
• Maintain relationships with key personnel at Armed Forces of Malta, ports, and airport;
• Assist in the management of defence activities by assisting the Defence Adviser and High Commission in the planning, liaising and execution of military/defence events. Lead on engagement with Veterans’ groups and relevant Associations;
• Assist the Non-Resident Defence Adviser in coordinating their visits to Malta, including booking their accommodation, flights, meetings and appointments;
• Attend and represent the BHC, on occasion, outside of normal working hours.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Our ideal candidate shows:

• Fluency in English, both oral and written C1 Proficiency in English (both written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills;
• Good communication and problem solving skills;
• IT Literacy, especially on MS Office;
• Agility and flexibility to meet changing demands;
• Self starter with the ability to work well in a team as well as independently; a team-player.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Nice to have:

• Experience of working in an embassy or international organisation;
• Professional experience of working in a similar type of role;
• Familiarity with the FCDO structure and experience of dealing with senior people would be an advantage;
• Knowledge of Malta, Maltese Government structure, and Maltese language.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline

17 September 2025

Grade

Administrative Officer (AO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

Working hours per week

35

Region

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory

Malta

Location (City)

Valletta

Type of Post

British High Commission

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

EUR

Salary

€2546 (gross)

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

1 November 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time 12-month contract with possibility of extension.

We offer a benefits package including:

• 27 days annual leave per year (calculated pro-rata), starting from the first day of employment;
• UK and Maltese public and privilege holidays in addition (Total of 14 days per year);
• Comprehensive leave, such as maternity, paternity, adoption, compassionate, and development leave;
• Performance related bonus;
• Annual Cost of Living Allowance and bonus as per Maltese law;
• Time off in Lieu or overtime pay for additional hours in agreement with Line Manager;
• Access to the FCDO learning & development platform and other development opportunities for career enhancement and progression;
• At the British High Commission in Malta we aim for a positive working environment, with a good work-life balance and the opportunity to work in an international, diverse, and inclusive environment.

The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance.

All applicants should have the right to live and work in Malta. The British High Commission does not sponsor work permits.

Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in Malta are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Maltese employment law.

Visa/Passport requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Malta and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearance process.

Additional information

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

FCDO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCDO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements