Personal Assistant to the British Ambassador (NOR26-004180)

The British Embassy in Oslo, part of the British Government’s Nordic Baltic Network, is part of the UK’s overseas network of diplomatic missions, representing British political, security, economic and consular interests. 

The British Embassy Oslo is looking for a Personal Assistant to the British Ambassador to Norway.

Main purpose of the role:

The Personal Assistant (PA) to the British Ambassador plays a key role in the Embassy, supporting the Ambassador in their leadership of the team and external impact with a wide range of stakeholders, including in government and business.
This is a busy and high pressure job, with a range of competing demands. The successful applicant will need to be able to work and take decisions without detailed oversight, and juggle priorities effectively.

The PA to the British Ambassador sits at the heart of the Embassy, and needs to have effective links with all teams, as well as high impact with senior external contacts. The PA will need to take the lead on coordinating a large number of events, from small lunches to large receptions. Other duties may occasionally arise in a busy Embassy and flexibility within a wider team is necessary.

When the Ambassador is away the Deputy Head of Mission (DHM) becomes Chargé d’Affaires and the PA supports them in this role. They also provide light touch support to the DHM during normal business particularly in supporting them attending events.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Organise the Ambassador’s diary, calls and visit programmes. Arrange travel, internal and external meetings (including agendas and action points) and reply to invitations. Liaise with other Embassy sections and DHM.

• Manage the Ambassador’s office, including tracking emails, correspondence, filing and keeping the contacts database up-to-date. Effective management of digital information in line with legal requirements. Arrange events at the Residence including the planning and delivery of the annual King’s Birthday Party (KBP).

• In coordination with the Residence Manager; compile guest lists and issue invitations. Co-ordinate between Embassy teams and the Residence, and support in person as necessary.

• Co-ordinate and chair the weekly events/visits meeting
  

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) C1 level of CEFR*

• More than 3 years of Experience in administrative work in a similar environment

• Good knowledge of MS Excel and other MS Office programme

• Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, verbally and in writing

• Precision in implementing tasks, meticulous attention to detail

• Organised, efficient, self-starter, attention to detail

• A positive ‘can do’ approach to work and the ability to work as part of a team

• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines

• Good organisational and time management skills

• High standards of professional discretion

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Fluency in Norwegian (written and spoken) C1 level of CEFR*

• Experience working in an international environment

• Experience working as Personal Assistant

• Experience in Events management

Required behaviours  

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline  

6 May 2026

Grade  

Administrative Officer (AO)

Type of Position  

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week  

35

Region  

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory  

Norway

Location (City)  

Oslo

Type of Post  

British Embassy

Number of vacancies  

1

Salary Currency  

NOK

Salary  

NOK 611,760 (gross) - yearly

Type of Salary  

yearly

Start Date  

1 July 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

This is a full-time and permanent contract position, 5 working days (currently 35 hours net) per week. The annual basic salary is NOK 611,760 (gross).

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance.

Embassy in Norway is a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:

• Scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching and job shadowing;

• Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&D days;

• An equal, diverse and engaged workplace;

• Work-life balance.

Equal employment

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and 6 months probationary period.

The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation for the Norway in order to apply.

Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy Oslo are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with Norwegian employment law

Visa/work permit requirements: candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Norway and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

The start date mentioned in the advert is just an expected start date. The appointment can start earlier or later depending on several factors.

Additional information  

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the FCDO will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

The British Embassy in Oslo, part of the British Government’s Nordic Baltic Network, is part of the UK’s overseas network of diplomatic missions, representing British political, security, economic and consular interests.