Aviation Security Coordinator

Main purpose of job:

• The Aviation Security Coordinator (ASCO) for Kenya and Ethiopia, who will be based at our High Commission in Nairobi, will directly support the Aviation Security Project Delivery Manager (based in London) in building and sustaining relationships with the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments and other key stakeholders on a wide range of aviation security issues in order to help deliver the Department for Transport’s core objectives of improving aviation security standards, building effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels to facilitate this. The Aviation Security Project Delivery Manager for Kenya and Ethiopia will travel regularly to Kenya and Ethiopia. The ASCO will be responsible for engaging with stakeholders to arrange meetings for these visits.  
• The successful candidate will need excellent administration skills, and to be able to prioritise and cope well under pressure.  On any given day, they will be working to a variety of workstreams and across various projects, with changing circumstances and priorities. They will need to be proactive (for example, resolving issues by a telephone call or visit where more appropriate), have good judgement (including knowing when to escalate issues) and be highly organised, keeping track of deadlines and requests. An ability to work independently, seeking guidance where required is essential.
• This is a varied and interesting position – the jobholder can expect to get a good background on Aviation Security in both the UK and in our host countries. As well as the core duties set out in the job description, there will be scope to liaise with other CT colleagues within the diplomatic mission.
• Travel will be required to Ethiopia for meetings and to support capability development and aviation security assessment activity. Travel to the UK may be possible to support inward visits and attend internal meetings.

Roles and responsibilities: 

The main objectives include:

• Responsible for supporting the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of Capability Development activities. Capability activity includes training, operational mentoring, the provision of equipment and the management of a digitisation project.
• Responsible for delivery of day-to-day engagement and maintenance of effective working relationships and partnerships with Aviation Security stakeholders and other governments to achieve Department for Transport aviation security objectives in Kenya and Ethiopia.
• Responsible for providing logistical support for Aviation Security assessments of airports in Kenya and Ethiopia and inward delegation visits by Kenyan/Ethiopian Stakeholders to the UK including record keeping, travel bookings where required and organising meetings/events.
• Responsible for financial management of office expenses and Capability Development projects in line with guidance including procurement activity.
• Responsible for providing language support as required, including translation of letters to send out/received, interpreting during engagement activity and visits.
• Resources managed (staff and expenditure) 
• This role does not include any staff management responsibility. The ASCO will be responsible for the management of capability development budgets in consultation with the Aviation Security Project Delivery Manager.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Experience of providing administrative support in a busy working environment.
• Fluency in both oral and written English.
• Strong organisational skills including attention to detail, keeping track of deadlines, and ability to manage own work with limited supervision.
• Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills including professional and confident communication with external stakeholders and team members.
• Experience in building and cultivating relationships with organisations and individuals.
• IT skills including in MS Office applications Word, Excel and Teams.
• Prior experience of working with the UK or other governments in a diplomatic mission.
• Project management skills or experience.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Additional IT skills including PowerPoint.
• Knowledge / interest in Aviation Security and Counter-Terrorism issues in Africa.