View Vacancy – Executive Assistant to the High Commissioner, Grade – EO, New Delhi (Maternity Cover)

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 (Operations and Corporate Services)

Job Subcategory

Private Office

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Please note that is a Maternity cover requirement for a fixed-term.

For internal candidates the role will be open on Temporary Promotion/Flexible deployment.

Main purpose of job:

This is a unique opportunity for a highly efficient, proactive, and ambitious individual to play a central role in the High Commissioner’s Private Office. The Executive Assistant (EA) directly supports the High Commissioner (HC) in almost all aspects of their leadership across the UK’s largest overseas network. This high-profile role demands discretion, trust, and attention to detail. It is integral to helping the High Commissioner and the UK in India network deliver on the UK-India relationship.

As an EA, key liaison and trusted advisor to the High Commissioner, you will play a pivotal role in advancing one of the UK’s most important international partnerships. This role offers unparalleled exposure to senior leadership and international diplomacy, providing a strong foundation for future roles within the FCDO and globally.

Diary Management & Strategic Prioritisation

At the heart of UK-India operations, the EA manages a high volume of requests for the HC’s time. Working closely with internal teams, the EA provides accurate handling advice and proactively manages the HC’s diary to avoid conflicts to ensure the HC’s time is spent as efficiently and effectively as possible. A top-level understanding of UK-India policy priorities is essential. The EA should be able to spot connections, suggest prioritisation, and balance competing demands while keeping stakeholders informed and satisfied.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

The EA maintains a wide network of internal and external contacts, including senior business leaders, government officials, and Heads of Mission. Therefore, it is essential the HC’s EA is kind, approachable, and professional; able to deliver clear and sometimes difficult messages with tact; discreet and diplomatic.

Internally and to colleagues within the UK in India network, the EA should display kindness in every interaction. The EA will often need to convey decisions that may not align with others’ expectations while maintaining positive relationships across the India Network.

Teamwork & Leadership

The EA is a key member of a fast-paced Private Office team that handles hundreds of requests and competing priorities. The successful candidate will work closely with the HC’s Private Secretary to ensure optimal use of the HC’s time. We are looking for someone who is confident making independent decisions and providing direction, including at times to senior colleagues. The EA should embody Private Office values of kindness, supportiveness, and open communication.

As a line manager to four direct reports (who in turn lead teams of 16), the EA should lead with empathy, empower others, and support the team through change and challenges. The EA also acts as cover for the Private Secretary during periods of leave.

This is a demanding, fast-paced, and rewarding position. The successful candidate will be involved in high-profile visits, senior-level meetings, and major events. It’s an ideal role for someone ready to take on significant responsibility and make a meaningful impact on one of the UK’s most important international relationships.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

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

The UK in India Network is the UK’s largest overseas diplomatic network, with over 800 colleagues across 10 locations. This role sits at the heart of it all. Communication, teamwork and true are essential to ensure a clear and efficient flow of information between the High Commissioner and teams across India.

The jobholder is expected to demonstrate strategic foresight by anticipating future priorities and aligning the High Commissioner’s schedule accordingly. Proactively assess upcoming commitments, identify potential conflicts, and make informed decisions to ensure time is allocated to the most impactful engagements.

The Executive Assistant to the High Commissioner is expected to:

Overall Responsibilities

• Strategically Diary Management: reviewing all meeting requests and invitations, and advising on prioritisation. Delegate appropriately to the Senior Leadership Team and other colleagues where needed.
• Contact Management: Engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to schedule meetings and maintain effective communication flows. Responsible for guest list management for HC events, proactively suggesting attendees.
• Coordinate the High Commissioner’s regional travel, including programme planning, briefing commissioning, and securing protocol and security clearances from the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Budget Management: Manage and forecast the HC’s travel budget. Work with Residence Manage to manage and forecast the Residence Budget.
• Line manage four direct reports: 2 High Commission Drivers, 1 Residence Manager, and 1 EA to the Deputy High Commissioner.
• Provide cover for the Deputy High Commissioner’s EA and the High Commissioner’s Private Secretary during periods of leave.
• Support major events, including the annual King’s Birthday Party and Investiture Ceremonies.

Day-to-Day Tasks

• Monitor and manage the Private Office shared mailbox, ensuring timely action or delegation of incoming correspondence.
• Review and respond to incoming invitations in a polite, timely and efficient manner.
• Commission and coordinate briefing materials for meetings, ensuring they are timely, coordinated across the network and tailored to the HC’s preferences
• Liaise regularly with the High Commissioner’s Residence Team to ensure alignment on events, meetings, and activities.
• Act as Secretariat for the weekly Network-wide ‘Monday Morning Meeting’, managing the agenda and tracking actions.
• Oversee official expenditure, ensuring timely processing of expense claims via the FCDO’s online platform.
• Maintain discretion and professionalism in all interactions, representing the High Commissioner’s office with integrity.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Line Management of 1x Residence Manager, 1x Executive Assistant to the Deputy High Commissioner, 2x Driver.

Responsible for forecasting and managing the High Commissioner’s Budget, including travel budget and residence budget.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The Executive Assistant (EA) role offers a wide array of Learning and Development (L&D) opportunities, ensuring both professional and personal growth for the incumbent. Notably, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides a comprehensive suite of training programmes accessible to staff. These include online courses, workshops, and in-person training sessions covering areas such as diplomatic protocol, policy analysis, international relations, communication skills, and project management. Working in close proximity with senior diplomats and experienced professionals, the EA will have the chance to observe high-level decision-making processes

The role provides hands-on experience in preparing high-quality briefings, analysing policy documents, and supporting the development of strategic recommendations. This analytical work will deepen the EA’s understanding of international policy frameworks and sharpen critical thinking skills. Frequent interaction with diverse teams and stakeholders also enhances networking capabilities and cultural awareness including,

• Access to FCDO’s e-learning platforms and resource libraries
• Opportunities to shadow senior diplomats and attend high-level meetings
• Involvement in providing feedback on drafts of reports, press releases, and policy briefs to enhance quality and alignment with objectives.
• Regular feedback and coaching sessions from experienced mentors
• Opportunities to represent the office at external events or delegations

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• The candidate should possess 3-4 years of relevant experience with at least 2+ years’ experience as an executive/personal assistant in private office or diplomatic mission along with experience of office management, events & project management.
• Minimum graduate degree in relevant domain
• Exposure to the work in an international setting – either in an international company or a diplomatic setting
• Strong management, leadership, interpersonal and communication skills
• Willingness to work with flexibility, including occasionally on evenings or weekends
• Experience of budget planning and accounting
• Keen attention to detail and discretion

Language requirements:
Language: English, Hindi
Level of language required: Fluent

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

• Experience working internationally, either overseas, for an international company or in a diplomatic setting
• Skilled at working within a team-oriented, collaborative environment. Able to work effectively to support colleagues, both individually and in teams. Able to effectively prioritise and a proven ability to work under pressure with limited supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. IT proficient

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together

Application deadline

2 January 2026

Grade

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Fixed Term

Working hours per week

40

Duration of Post

12 months

Region

South Asia & Afghanistan

Country/Territory

India

Location (City)

New Delhi

Type of Post

British High Commission

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

INR

Salary

INR 77,619 – 1,06,000 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Special Allowance

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

9 February 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

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

For other than BHC Candidates, salary will be all-inclusive of INR 77,619 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Special Allowance. The salary range for the advertised role is INR 77619 – 106000 per month. Please note that the BHC does not negotiate salaries and the successful candidate will be offered a starting salary within the listed range on merit, that commensurate with their qualifications, skills and experience.

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 which includes self, spouse/partner and children up to an age of 23 years and irrespective of age, only if with, physical or mental disability.

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

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, e.g., some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

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.

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, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders will need have, or be able to obtain, a valid special work permit issued from Government of India (GOI) to work in the British High Commission (BHC). BHC will not be able to sponsor work visas or obtain/ assist with the special work permit from GOI. Offers of employment made to OCI card holders will be conditional upon candidates obtaining a special work permit.

Note: For requisite special permission to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India, OCI Cardholder must visit https://ociservices.gov.in

Please note – successful applicants will be offered employment on Country Based Staff (CBS) terms and conditions. This is not a permanent UK Civil Service position and does not attract diplomatic immunities and privileges (other than what an individual may already hold if they are a recognised partner/family member of a serving diplomat).

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

a) Complete the Online Application Form
b) Complete the Experience, Professional Skills and Behaviour based Segments in the Online Application Form

Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate behaviours and technical / professional skills, basis your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides a detailed guidance on how these behaviours are defined for each position.

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 staff applying for this position must have prior approval from their current line manager and should not be on an active formal written warning, else the application will not be considered. Should you have any queries please feel free to write to [email protected]

We will accept only online applications by 2nd January 2026 (latest by 23:55 hours IST).

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.

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. Any tax deduction on EPF will be in compliance with local income-tax law and must be complied with in full.”

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. Basis the scores, the candidate/s who did not score as highly as the successful candidate, might be placed on the reserve list. If during the reserve period of 12 months, the same or largely similar role becomes available, the role may be offered to the second or subsequent appointable candidates.

” The start date mentioned in the job advert is tentative and the appointment will be subject to successful clearances including police verification, references, medical, educational, and professional checks. “

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, caste, 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.