IDB - Inter-American Development Bank
JOB DESCRIPTION
View Vacancy – British Defence Staff Regional Support Officer
Job Category
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Job Subcategory
HR
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Main purpose of job:
The British Defence Staff in the United States has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic person to join the United States Support Group as a Regional Support Officer located in the Tidewater area of Virginia. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US.
The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave and insurance packages. In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment to support UK armed forces personnel and their civilian counterparts across the United States. This is made up of staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.
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, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.
The USSG Personnel Support Team delivers support across the USA network for British Defence Staff civilian and military personnel (ca 800+ people posted across the USA). We are looking for a highly motivated individual who has a real passion for service delivery to provide in place support to the personnel based in the Norfolk/Tidewater area. The successful applicant should be able to operate comfortably in a high paced environment, have good communications skills and be able to manage a diverse portfolio of tasks. Whilst experience in an associated HR sector would be advantageous, it is not essential; applications from candidates with broader experience are also welcomed. A positive attitude and strong work ethic will be paramount.
Roles and responsibilities:
Service Personnel Support Tasks:
- Support the welfare aspect, acting as in location liaison, of Norfolk arrivals and departures (as directed by BDS US Support Group) for all Service Persons (SP) at HQ SACT (HQ Supreme Allied Command Transformation), JFC Norfolk (Joint Force Command), and the broader Tidewater area (defined as the “7 cities” from Hampton to Suffolk).
- Be a focal point for HQ SACT, JFC Norfolk and Tidewater SP advising only on general allowances within JSP 752 with support from BDSUS Support group in novel or challenging cases.
- To act as the initial POC (Point of Contact) for personnel within the AOR (Area of Responsibility) for the processing and application of employment authorisation documents, initial and renewal of passport applications, birth registration and VISA renewal.
- Ensure that any welfare related concerns from personnel are signposted/ referred to the BDSUS Welfare Officer.
- Generate Command verification letters and NATO Travel orders, to support personnel within the Tidewater footprint.
General Support Tasks:
- Maintain a Tidewater SP contact list.
- Be familiar with and answer general questions on overseas Nursery application process, JSP 342, and HM Government policy of provision of education for service children and be the Tidewater, HQ SACT and JFC Norfolk point of contact for applications, referring to the BDSUS J1 if in doubt.
- Assist in organising and attending community events as directed by the Line Management.
- Any other tasks designated by the Line Management within the skills and experience of the post holder.
- Assisting the Norfolk housing office with ADHOC taskings that may include home visits, facilitating furniture deliveries or inspections.
Mail Office Clerk:
- Act as the Unit Postal Orderly for ACT NLR, ensuring that incoming and outgoing mail is processed in accordance with JSP 367.
- Notify ACT and Tidewater staff of Mail office routines, restrictions of service and limits of service, services available, holiday stoppages, and any other matters arising relating to the efficient administration of the Mail office.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
Essential on arrival:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Strong commitment to customer service.
- Strong proficiency in MS Office Suite, including Access database, MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
Desirable:
- Experience dealing with Military Personnel Administration
- Valid driving licence
- An understanding of military specific terms and usage.
- Previous HR/Admin experience
Required behaviours
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
Application deadline
20 August 2025
Grade
Administrative Officer (AO)
Type of Position
Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week
40
Region
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Country/Territory
United States
Location (City)
Norfolk, Virginia
Type of Post
Military Outpost
Number of vacancies
1
Salary Currency
USD
Salary
$25.79 per hour
Type of Salary
hourly
Start Date
8 October 2025
Other benefits and conditions of employment
US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position.
You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.
All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.
Please note: The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).
Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes. For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional – before accepting a job.
Additional information
Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 20th August 2025.
All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
Working patterns:
Must be able to accommodate a varied working pattern within certain core hours (9am – 4pm).
The role is customer facing and needs face to face contact so core hours will need to be met
This role is 40 hrs a week.
Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: No requirements
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