Chief of Staff- Defence Section

The position is for an initial contract of one year.

Act as the defence section Chief of Staff, managing the day-to-day operation of the defence section on behalf of the Defence Attache and leading on some areas of defence policy. The jobholder will oversee all of the activity of the Defence Team (Defence Attache, Assistant Defence Attache, Research Officer, Programme Officer & Driver), line managing the Research Officer, Programme Officer and Driver.

The job entails:

? Lead on overall Defence strategic engagement, working on strengthening the UK’s Defence security relationship with Japan, working closely with Political Section and UK Trade & Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTO DSO). Coordinate senior official level Politico-Military talks, ministerial and other bilateral talks, developing the UK/Japan relationship.
? Designing and delivering a balanced programme to support the Country Business Plan and UK MOD Japan engagement strategy, managing resources and ensuring team buy-in to the programme.
? Managing section members, ensuring delivery of all planned activity and capturing all emergent activity, allocating section resources to support delivery. Motivate and create learning and developing opportunities for team members.
? Maintaining a tiered database of engagement opportunities and a forward activities plan, updated and circulated monthly to Defence Section, Political Section and MOD UK
? Managing and reporting on Defence Section programme, reported on a monthly basis to Defence Attaché and MOD UK, ensuring additional resources are bid for early (if needed) and surpluses returned promptly
? Build an extensive network of key contacts and influencers across government, academia and other missions in Tokyo. You will develop a strong grounding in East Asian security relationships in addition to expertise on Japan.
? Maintaining administrative, financial management links with Embassy Corporate Services colleagues

Requirements

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following key skills and attributes:

? Experience of successful people management, or strong evidence of the potential for leadership and people management.
? Excellent business communication skills in English (orally and in writing)
? Project Management experience
? Proven ability to manage budgets and wider resources to deliver a business plan
? Fluent in written and spoken English (IELTS Band 8 or above / 850+ points TOEIC)
? Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc)

The following skills and attributes are desirable but not essential:

? Good understanding of, and interest in, defence security issues, and at least a basic current knowledge of relevant policy developments in Japan and the UK advantageous.
? Good level of spoken and written Japanese language (Japanese language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at level N1 or equivalent would be an advantage.

The successful candidate(s) must also be able to demonstrate that they meet the following competences. They will be expected to provide evidence at interview of previous performance against these competences.

? Seeing the Big Picture: Understand the defence section’s strategy and how it contributes to the Embassy’s priorities. Ensure own team and activities are aligned to Embassy/British Government priorities. Be alert to emerging issues and trends which create opportunities or risks for the section’s work.
? Making Effective Decisions: Make decisions when needed, even if they prove difficult or unpopular. Use relevant and credible sources of information, including new sources when necessary, to support objective decision making. Explore different options by assessing costs, benefits, risks and opportunities/likely responses. Recognise scope of own authority for decision making and empower team members to make decisions.
? Leading & Communicating: Communicate and interact regularly with staff to clarify goals and activities, and links to Embassy/team strategy. Recognise and reward achievements of others. Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing to maximise understanding and impact. Stand ground when needed. Convey energy and enthusiasm about team’s work and encourage others to do the same.
? Collaborating & Partnering: Encourage collaborative team working within own team and with others, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. Invest time to generate a common focus and team spirit. Deal with conflict in a prompt, calm and constructive manner.
? Managing a Quality Service: Make effective use of project management skills to deliver outcomes. Develop and implement systems to provide quality, efficiency and value for money. Work with teams to set priorities, goals, objectives and timescales and work with staff, stakeholders and delivery partners to improve the quality of service.
? Engaging Internationally: Represent and actively promote, protect and balance the UK’s national interest at the highest international levels. Offer a visible and effective presence at times of crisis. Quickly understand the global context and local sensitivities. Read the situation in different countries and regions, cross referencing information to make good judgements, influence contacts and build tactical and strategic alliances.

Our Values
As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) the Embassy aims for excellence by:
? Taking responsibility
? Encouraging innovation
? Working together

Our values support a vibrant culture where all staff take on stretching responsibilities, where ideas thrive and the status quo can be fearlessly challenged. We work together effectively with all our partners to make a greater difference for the UK.

Benefit package includes:
? Working hours: Monday to Friday, generally 0900-1730 with flexible working opportunities and occasional out of hours working required
? The job is being offered on a 1 year fixed term contract, subject to annual review
? Salary of JPY 616,000 per month with 1 month bonus equivalents payable in December and June pro rata (Note: Subject to tax status, this amount may be reduced)
? Commuting allowance of up to JPY35,000 per month (paid on an actual cost basis)
? 24 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
? Health and Employment Insurance (kenko hoken/koyou hoken)
? Employee pension (kosei nenkin)
? Excellent training and development opportunities
? Work-related travel in Japan is a possibility
? Start date: January 2015
? Provisional interview date is 7th January 2015. Language skills will be tested at interview.

To Apply

Please email your CV together with the completed application form, which can be downloaded from our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-tokyo/about/recruitment to japan.recruitment@fco.gov.uk, to arrive by 12 December 2014. Please clearly mark the position title and your name in the subject title of your email.

Please send your attachments using the following formats only .doc, .docx, pdf. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. The applicant must have work authorisation for Japan however if a foreign national, the British Embassy/Consulate General will support a visa application if required.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The British Embassy/Consulate General is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy/Consulate General in Tokyo are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.

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