JOB VACANCY: Community Liason Officer

VACANCY: LEIII(E), PART TIME COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER (CLO), MANAGEMENT SECTION, BRITISH DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSION, CHENNAI

1. Applications are invited from UK-based spouses/partners and expatriates for the position of CLO effective immediately.

2. Main purpose of the job:

This is a varied and interesting job, ideally suited to a spouse/partner with experience of the FCO, or an expatriate who is enthusiastic about life in Chennai, and India. The CLO will advise new arrivals as they prepare for their posting and support them once they arrive here. A full job description is available from Sarah Spencer.

3. The key responsibilities include:

§ Advising and helping new arrivals to settle in Chennai.

§ Providing advice on all aspects of life in Chennai and in India including unbiased information on schools, employment, health care and other local services.

§ Collecting, maintaining and disseminating local information for the benefit of those at Post, spouse/partner employment opportunities, networking opportunities and other local happenings.

§ Close liaison with the Diplomatic Service Families Association in London, and with CLOs at other Diplomatic Missions in Chennai and throughout the world.

§ Welfare support. Providing a confidential listening ear and advising onappropriate referral. Assisting with arrangements for medical evacuation and crisis management.

§ Management duties, including updating families and school lists, various returns required by London (e.g. job opportunities, Cost of Living Returns, hardship and DSFA questionnaires etc.).

§ Produce a monthly newsletter for all staff.

4. The gross conditioned working hours for this position are 21 per week. The salary is currently Rs.87,754/- per month pro rata based on a 40 hour week. The salary will be abated by 25% (the amount of income tax which would be payable to the Indian Authorities if the successful applicant were not exempt from the payment of Indian income tax under the Income tax Act 1961, Section 10(6)(v) and subsequent legislation).

5. Recruitment will be conducted in strict accordance with FCO policies. Anyone interested in filling this vacancy should apply in writing (enclosing their CV and a paragraph on why they believe they would be well suited for the job) to: Sarah Spencer, Senior Management Officer, British Deputy High Commission, 20 Anderson Road, Chennai 600 006 by Wednesday, 31 October 2007. Interviews will be conducted during week beginning 12 November 2007. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

6. The British Deputy High Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applications irrespective of race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, creed or age.


Sarah Spencer
Senior Management Officer
11 October 2007