JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – Executive Assistant to Development Director / Policy & Programmes Support Officer, Grade- EO, Islamabad

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

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

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 British High Commission (BHC) Islamabad is offering an exciting opportunity for an Executive Assistant to the Development Director. This role provides high-quality diary management and administrative support, while also contributing to policy and programme assurance through collaboration with the Team Leader of the Portfolio Delivery Unit and the Operational Excellence (OpEx) group.

Operational Excellence (OpEx) within the Pakistan Network plays a pivotal role in enabling others to deliver by driving high standards across financial, programme, and commercial functions. It ensures strategic risk management, quality assurance, and governance across all spend, while fostering capability development and learning. OpEx supports effective delivery of UK taxpayer-funded programmes, safeguarding integrity and impact across the portfolio.

This is a fast-paced and rewarding role that requires the ability to manage competing priorities confidently, collaborate effectively across teams, and deliver top-quality administrative and programme assurance support. The successful candidate will demonstrate flexibility, initiative, and a commitment to excellence in both executive support and operational delivery.

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

This role as split of responsibilities as below however there will be flexibility to manage deliverables in line with the priority for the Development Director and OpEx collectively.

70% Executive Assistant to Development Director

• Manage the Development Director’s (DD) diary efficiently, ensuring optimal allocation of time for internal and external meetings, and that the DD is fully prepared for each engagement.
• Ensure that papers and briefings are ready ahead of meetings, and that the DD is informed of key issues in advance.
• Act as the focal point for coordination between the DD and government counterparts, implementing partners, the Private Office, and Goals/Enablers.
• Welcome and facilitate access for visitors meeting the DD, ensuring smooth entry into the office and diplomatic enclave.
• Manage transport arrangements for the DD.
• Organise travel for the DD’s field visits, including preparation of No-Objection Certificates (NOCs), Travel Risk Assessments (TRAs), and other necessary documentation, and ensure the DD is well-prepared for the visit.
• Carry out any other tasks assigned by the DD.
• Draft induction plans for incoming DDs and Deputy DDs.
• Arrange and coordinate events, lunches, dinners, and other engagements hosted by the DD.
• Lead on the DD’s engagement plan and coordinate with Goal Leads to initiate and implement the plan.
• Serve as a member of the Strategic Engagement Unit team and Private Office, and support various visits, Kings Birth Party arrangements, logistics, and wider mission tasks as required.
• Provide cover for Private Office team members in supporting Pakistan Board members when needed.

30% OpEx Policy and Programme Assurance Support

• In collaboration with the Team Leader of the Portfolio Delivery Unit, lead on the analysis and coordination of centrally managed programmes. This includes working with programme teams both at the centre and in-country to improve visibility and information flow.
• Provide project management support to the design and future implementation of the new Portfolio Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) programme.
• Support the planning and delivery of logistics for high-level development-related visits.
• Assist the Operational Excellence (OpEx) team in promoting portfolio compliance standards in line with the Programme Operating Framework.
  Effectively manage the forward look, logistics, planning, and delivery of “Development Bites” sessions for the wider office.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

The candidate should have relevant experience as below:

• Experience managing executive-level schedules, including coordinating meetings, travel, and logistics.
• Proven ability to prepare briefing materials and ensure senior leaders are well-informed ahead of engagements.
• Experience working with government counterparts, development partners, and internal teams in a coordination role.
• Familiarity with organising official events, visits, and hospitality arrangements.
• Experience supporting programme delivery or policy implementation in a development or diplomatic setting.
• Ability to work flexibly across administrative and operational tasks, adapting to shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in related fields.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in a related role

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Programme management experience and qualification is beneficial.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline

27 October 2025

Grade

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

41

Region

South Asia & Afghanistan

Country/Territory

Pakistan

Location (City)

Islamabad

Type of Post

British High Commission

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

PKR

Salary

PKR 2,36,953 per month

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

2 January 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

For BHC candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates the basic salary will be ­­PKR 2,36,953per month. This salary is non-negotiable.

Please note that the current salaries are being dollarized and processed in USD (using a fixed corporate exchange rate from November 2022) to provide cushion against the current external market conditions. This is a temporary measure and is subject to review at regular intervals. The payroll will revert to local currency processing once the external market conditions are normalised.

BHC offers a great benefits package that comprises of Annual Domiciliary cover and Medical Insurance Scheme which includes PKR 1,500,000 floater coverage per family for self, one spouse/long term partner and children under the age of 19 or under 23, if in full-time education and not gainfully employed. The Annual Domiciliary cover for day-to-day medical payments is upto PKR 200,000 per family (basis actual bills submission).

Additionally, The British High Commission contributes to a retirement provision in the form of a mandatory provident fund.

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

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided. FCDO does not pay for any travelling, accommodation & relocation expenses incurred and/or accept any financial risk, including cancellation or reschedule costs.

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 FCDO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.

Additional information

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the behaviour-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.

To Apply:

Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered. Point (c) to be adhere strictly.

a) Complete the Online Application Form.
b) Complete the Experience, Behaviours, Technical/Professional skills-based segment in the Online Application Form.
c) Applicants need to answer the questions based on their professional experience. Kindly refrain from use of AI based tools to avoid application from getting rejected/disqualified.

Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to prepare specific examples of when and how you have demonstrated these behaviours in your application, by evidencing a structured response, including your skills and experiences. You briefly describe the situation in which you demonstrated the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.

Internal candidates applying for this position must have completed their probation and have prior approval from their line manager, else the application will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 27 October 2025 (latest by 23:55 hours PST).

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

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

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. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative & the appointment of successful candidate will be subject to clearance of police and other checks including references, 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.

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