Private Secretary to the UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations

The UK Mission to the United Nations in New York is offering an exciting opportunity to join the Private Office of the UK Permanent Representative.

The UN sits at the heart of the multilateral system; it is the forum where global geopolitics play out in day-to-day diplomacy and where the voices of all 193 Member States are heard. The work of the mission spans across and is an enabler to all FCDO priorities, with a critical role in security and development priorities, playing a supporting role in driving the climate and nature and migration agenda, and driving stability and prosperity which is critical to global and UK growth.

As Private Secretary to the Permanent Representative in the Private Office, you will be at the heart of the UK Mission to the UN’s work. Positioned within Private Office, you will work closely with all sections in the Mission (Political, Human Rights, Humanitarian) and external partners including other Missions and external organisations.

The successful candidate will join a busy Private Office team. The ideal candidate will have a flexible approach, be a strong team player, have considerable initiative, manage their resilience, and be able to interact with senior staff with confidence. They will be comfortable managing competing and evolving demands in a fast-paced environment where sound judgement and effective support have a real impact on the efficiency of the UK’s engagement at the highest levels of international affairs.

We’re looking for proactive, collaborative, detail-oriented professional with experience in diary management and event delivery. You’ll bring strong communication and prioritization and a commitment to high-quality work.

Role and responsibilities may include

• To monitor all communication coming into the Private Office (emails, mail etc), using judgement in order to delegate or taking other action as required; this includes seeking policy advice on diary requests; passing on invitations, meeting requests etc to the Chief of Staff; handle all incoming post;
• Tracking requests from the PR and DPR to the wider Mission (eg draft replies, advice);
• PA support including sending out official correspondence, dealing with enquiries by telephone, providing support to the rest of Private Office as required including cover in times of absence;
• Budget management: profiling and monitoring spend against the Private Office travel and entertainment budget;
• Escorting guests to meetings with the PR and DPR, providing hospitality;
• Responsible for office stationery supplies including business cards;
• Day-to-day tasking of the Mission drivers: ensuring that their schedules are clear, that the PR and DPR have drivers as required, and liaising with staff across UKMis and BCG in tasking drivers for other requests including high-level visitors;
• Arranging accommodation at the Residences for visiting VIPs, Ministers and officials, liaising with programme leads on all accommodation and hospitality arrangements to be made during visits.
• Potential line management of one Administrative Officer.

Diary management may include

• Manage all meetings and engagements for the PR, consulting experts, taking judgements on conflicts and prioritisation often managing senior managers and contacts around politically important issues, writing to contacts and responding to invitations, complete diary management and providing well-judged advice to the PR, and ensuring that each day is well-planned according to priorities and the PR’s preferences.
• Maintain contacts database ensuring it is always up to date and regularly transferred to PR and DPR Outlook contacts;
• Monitor National Days, ensuring that PR and DPR are aware and that they attend or are represented at every National Day events
• Arrange all overseas travel (logistics, flights, visas, accommodation etc), and organising visit programmes.

Social secretary/event delivery may include

• Management of social events for the PR;
• Draw up guest lists and invitations, providing specific advice as required on possible attendees; chase attendance; bring in reserve invitees as required;
• Prepare name plates, table plans and menu cards for events at the Residences;
• Close liaison with Residence staff on preparations for the events, updates on numbers of attendees, coordinate with the Chef to ensure menu meets dietary requirements, and ensuring high-class service and quality of every aspect of official entertainment;
• Advisory role to Mission staff on organising events to be hosted by the PR and DPR;
• Input into major events such as UN General Assembly Ministerial week, UK’s Presidency of the Security Council;
• Working with the Visits and Events Team on large-scale functions hosted by the PR and DPR.

The Private Office team supports the PR and DPR. You will work to the Chief of Staff and be responsible for the management of work into and out of the Private Office. It is essential that the Private Office perform to a high standard at all time to meet the expectations of the senior leaders in the UK Mission. You will represent them when you meet visitors that come to the UK Mission so need to display a positive and professional image at all times.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Diary management experience
• Event organisation experience
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office
• A strong team player, ability to work with colleagues, to deliver tasks and a quality service.
• Outstanding inter-personal skills, including with senior staff.
• Exceptional customer service skills, including in representational scenarios, with senior external contacts and visitors and a wide range of other stakeholders.
• Applicants must be either UK, US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand citizens.
• Fluency in the English language.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Previous EA/ PA or Private Office experience, especially for a senior figure.
• Knowledge and understanding of the UN and/or the diplomatic community in New York.
• Familiarity of working in public service, particularly with the UK Government.
• Familiarity with Microsoft CoPilot AI software.

Required behaviours

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

Application deadline

26 July 2026

Grade

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Location

UK Mission to the United Nations, New York

Type of Post

UK Delegation

Salary

$68,490 per annum gross, + 15% Private Office EO allowance

Start Date

7 September 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

Eligibility

Applicants for this position must be a national of one of the following countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and have the independent right to live and work in the USA

You must have the right to live and work in the US in order to take up this role, whether in your own right or as a dependant, and be able to demonstrate that when required. If you are not a US citizen, dual US citizen or US Permanent Resident, it is your responsibility check your eligibility to work for a foreign government in the United States, and specifically to work in this role at this location, and provide proof of your eligibility via an Employment Authorisation Document or other relevant document when required. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

Working Hours

The job holder will be expected to work in the office 5 days a week as standard, although there will be periods e.g. when the (D)PR is travelling, when working from home may be permitted.

Generally hours are Mon-Friday 9-5pm, 40 hours per week with frequent early and late hours especially during High Level Season (UNGA), full time Mon-Friday; this job receives a Private Office Allowance supplement to salary. The successful candidate will work full-time hours, with flexibility required to support the PR’s schedule and Mission priorities.

Please note the need to work occasional evenings as required in order to attend functions (as the PR or DPR may request). There are also peak times in the year (eg UN General Assembly, held annually in September) when additional hours will need to be worked.

The successful candidate may be required to work staggered or adjusted hours to support the PR and DPR’s schedules, with working patterns agreed in line with business need

All working hours and hybrid working are position specific and subject to change at any time, without notice. If you have any questions, please address them with the hiring manager.

Learning and Development

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.).

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.

Additional information

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 26th July 2026

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.