PROTOCOL DEPARTMENT

Job Description

The responsibilities of the Protocol Department are enormous. The department requires people who are conversant with the rules and formal behaviour used at official meetings between government and very important personalities, both local and international. The underlying factor here is the desire to satisfy and do things in an organized and orderly manner.

Protocol is a set of regulations and procedure usually followed to facilitate interaction principally among sovereign states, groups etc. It is the totality of “social graces” that make interaction with others a pleasant duty.

Protocol requires a certain level of skill for it to make the necessary impact. A protocol personnel is assigned with the responsibility of delivering the “social graces” to entitled personalities and other foreign representatives, in other to improve relations between them. The personnel are sometimes involved in state or official visits.

Protocol duties are very sensitive in nature and therefore the personnel must have the following qualities:
*  Must be knowledgeable about the job
*  Must be polite in approach
*  Must have comportment
*  Must dress moderately
*  Must be able to keep sensitive information

Protocol duties do not give room for even 99% success. A minor mistake or lapse could bring about a major disaster that could ruin an otherwise very well planned and organized occasion. Negligence on the part of the protocol officer leads to the dissatisfaction of the principal.
Therefore, a protocol officer must be very alert and vigilant and above all, must look out for what can go wrong by constantly checking and cross checking information in order to remedy any situation before it occurs.

 

DON’TS FOR A PROTOCOL OFFICER

1.      Do not shout when you talk, particularly on a cell phone. Only whisper or murmur.
2.      Do not become the star attraction.
3.      Do not solicit, complain or beg.
4.      Do not over expose your body. It might be offensive to your guests.
5.      Do not make it obvious to your guest that you are listening to their conversations or jokes.