Senior civil servant Suma Chakrabarti has guaranteed his quality of life in Oxford while pursuing a high-flying career in London.

Recently appointed permanent secretary at the Department for International Development (DfID) on a salary of £120,000 a year, he has successfully negotiated a family-friendly contract of employment.

Mr Chakrabarti, who lives in Oxford, is to work a 40-hour week that entitles him to leave home late enough to have breakfast with his six-year-old daughter, Maya, and be home in time to see her again before bedtime.

It means that Mr Chakrabarti, who is married, will not arrive at his office near Buckingham Palace until about 9.30am and could be heading out of the door as early as 5.30pm. Every other Friday, he will work from home.

Mr Chakrabarti, 42, said the terms were approved by Secretary of State Clare Short. He added that he was keen for other civil servants in his department to benefit from similar arrangements such as job-sharing and sabbaticals.

The high-flier previously worked for three years at the Cabinet Office. As head of the Dome Sale Unit, he co-ordinated the sale of the Millennium Dome.

Currently one of three director generals at DfID, he is to take over as permanent secretary from February 18.