The British High Commission in Nairobi is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a motivated and capable individual to join its team as the Aviation Security Coordinator (ASCO) for Kenya and Ethiopia. This pivotal role sits within the Department for Transport (DfT) portfolio and plays a critical function in supporting the UK Government’s aviation security goals across the East African region.
The British Government is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We actively promote equality, and we encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or other protected characteristics. We also support flexible working arrangements where operational requirements allow.
This position offers a unique opportunity for individuals passionate about international collaboration, security enhancement, and regional development. It also provides a dynamic working environment in which cross-border coordination, project delivery, and stakeholder engagement intersect to support a safer aviation sector in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Job Title: Aviation Security Coordinator (EO)
Location: British High Commission, Nairobi
Region: Africa
Country/Territory: Kenya
City: Nairobi
Grade: Executive Officer (EO)
Working Hours: 36.25 hours per week
Salary: KES 280,165.78 per month (subject to statutory deductions)
Type of Position: Permanent
Application Deadline: 11 August 2025
Start Date: 1 October 2025
Number of Vacancies: 1
Overview of the Role
The Aviation Security Coordinator (ASCO) will serve as a crucial liaison between the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and key aviation security stakeholders in Kenya and Ethiopia. The position is designed to directly support the Aviation Security Project Delivery Manager (based in London) by facilitating regional project delivery, maintaining stakeholder relations, and ensuring smooth logistics and administrative operations.
Based in Nairobi, the ASCO will regularly engage with Kenyan and Ethiopian government entities, airports, civil aviation authorities, and other relevant partners. The successful candidate will be expected to manage multiple streams of work, maintain strong organisational practices, and demonstrate excellent communication and relationship management skills.
Travel to Ethiopia and occasionally to the UK will be required to support programme activities, including stakeholder engagement, training sessions, aviation security assessments, and internal coordination.
Key Responsibilities
The ASCO role encompasses a wide range of functions spanning project delivery, stakeholder engagement, administration, and financial management. Below are the core duties associated with this role:
1. Capability Development Support
- Assist in the planning, execution, and evaluation of Capability Development activities in both Kenya and Ethiopia.
- Activities include delivering training programs, operational mentoring, facilitating the provision of aviation security equipment, and supporting the roll-out of a digitisation project.
- Monitor progress, document outcomes, and ensure that activities align with the Department for Transport’s (DfT) objectives.
2. Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the point of contact for day-to-day engagement with stakeholders in Kenya and Ethiopia, including government bodies, airport authorities, and civil aviation regulators.
- Foster and maintain productive partnerships that enable the smooth delivery of aviation security improvements.
- Schedule, coordinate, and attend meetings alongside the Aviation Security Project Delivery Manager during visits and engagements.
- Provide language interpretation support during engagements and translate written documents where required.
3. Logistical Coordination and Visit Support
- Organise travel, accommodation, meetings, and events related to Aviation Security assessments in Kenya and Ethiopia.
- Provide logistical and administrative support for inward visits by Kenyan and Ethiopian stakeholders to the UK, including delegation coordination and itinerary planning.
- Ensure all documentation, meeting notes, and post-visit reporting are well recorded and disseminated appropriately.
4. Administrative Management
- Maintain records of programme activities, project deliverables, stakeholder contact information, and visit outcomes.
- Assist in document preparation, drafting of formal correspondence, and internal reporting to London-based colleagues.
- Take responsibility for maintaining high standards of file management and information tracking.
5. Financial Oversight
- Manage office-related expenditures and Capability Development budgets in accordance with the UK Government’s financial regulations.
- Coordinate procurement activities for the programme, including acquiring quotes, managing supplier relationships, and processing payment documentation.
- Regularly reconcile expenditure reports and ensure budgetary compliance in consultation with the Aviation Security Project Delivery Manager.
Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
To be successful in this role, applicants must demonstrate:
- Proven experience providing administrative support in a busy office environment.
- Fluency in both written and spoken English.
- Strong organisational skills, including attention to detail, time management, and the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously with minimal supervision.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with experience in liaising professionally with external stakeholders and internal colleagues.
- A proactive and solution-oriented mindset, able to take initiative and work independently while knowing when to seek guidance or escalate issues.
- Previous experience in relationship-building, especially with organisations or individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Proficiency in standard Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Teams.
- Prior experience working with UK or other governments, preferably within a diplomatic mission context.
- Project management skills or practical experience overseeing project components or deliverables.
Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
While not mandatory, the following are considered assets:
- Familiarity with PowerPoint and presentation tools.
- A working knowledge or strong interest in aviation security or counter-terrorism issues in Africa.
- Familiarity with the UK Civil Service Success Profiles Framework (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles) is helpful in understanding how competencies and behaviours will be assessed.
Required Behaviours
The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate the following Civil Service behaviours during the application process and throughout their employment:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Working Environment and Employment Conditions
The position will be based at the British High Commission in Nairobi and is subject to local labour laws and conditions of service applicable to locally recruited staff. Please note the following:
- Employees recruited locally are subject to Kenyan tax regulations and statutory deductions.
- Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in Kenya. The British High Commission does not sponsor work permits for this role.
- If the selected candidate is not subject to local tax on their salary, an adjustment may be made to ensure tax equivalency.
- Successful candidates will undergo background reference checks and must obtain relevant security clearance before appointment.
- Candidates placed on a reserve list may be offered similar roles within six months of the initial recruitment process.
Application Guidance
Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure their submissions reflect genuine personal experience and are not generated by AI tools. While digital tools may be used to format applications or improve keyword accuracy, responses to behavioural and experience-based questions must be original, personal, and authentic. Any form of plagiarism or AI-generated content without disclosure will result in disqualification.
Please complete all sections of the online application form in full. Once submitted, no changes can be made to your application. Ensure that your contact information is accurate and that you check your application profile regularly to monitor your application status.
The British High Commission does not request payment or any form of fees during the recruitment process.
For additional guidance on preparing your application, refer to the UK Civil Service Success Profiles framework linked above.
