View Vacancy - Corporate Services Officer (TKM22.216)

The British Embassy in Ashgabat is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic, commercial and consular interests overseas. We are currently looking for a Corporate Services officer.

This is a rare opportunity to join the British Embassy Team in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. We are a small but friendly and energetic team focused on promoting links between the UK and Turkmenistan at an important stage in our relationship – this year we celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Our Embassy team values teamwork, respect for diversity, learning and development and offers high levels of responsibility for our local staff compared to other similar organisations. Our team is part of a wider regional team across Eastern Europe and Central Asia and you will have opportunities to connect with colleagues across the region and in the UK.

This role is a pivotal role in the running of our Embassy. You will lead two key internal Embassy services: our accounting service; and our technology service. You will also spend about a third of your time working on Embassy initiatives and projects, meaning your role will be varied and interesting and enable you to develop your skillset in three directions. You will report to our Corporate Services Manager and you will be the line manager for our two drivers.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package and access to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s excellent Learning Academy opportunities.

There are four parts to this role. The tasks identified here are a typical example and not exhaustive – things change over time and no two days are likely to be exactly the same. The successful candidate will be someone who can demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and good time management.

Main roles and responsibilities:

There are four parts to this role. The tasks identified here are a typical example and not exhaustive – things change over time and no two days are likely to be exactly the same. The successful candidate will be someone who can demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and good time management.

Embassy Corporate Services Officer

The Corporate Services Team is the largest in the Embassy.  This job is integral to success of the whole Embassy team and the job holder will work closely with the Corporate Services Manager and Deputy Head of Mission.  The jobholder is responsible for online and cash accounting for the Embassy, provision of technology services, assistance in the delivery of Embassy initiatives and projects, management of the Embassy drivers and procurement of Embassy consumables and furnishings. Tasks could include:

• Responsible for compliance with financial procedures including Distribution Sets, Invoices, Debit and Credit memos, Miscellaneous Receipts and Network Post Accounts, including correctly accounting for spend and reducing the risk for fraud.

• Calculate and process payroll, overtime and temporary staff payments  including all relevant monthly/yearly statements

• Act as global procurement card (credit card) holder for the Corporate Services team.

• Prepare statutory returns to local authorities, including pension contribution allowances, VAT recoveries etc.

• Procurement of good and services for the Office and Residence

• Oversight of Embassy transport services, including driver rostering and transport schedule

• Provision of high quality line management for our two drivers

• Oversight of Embassy reception services (once the Embassy has reopened)

• Management of arrival logistics and MFA liaison for Corporate Services visitors

• Assistance with Embassy response in times of crisis

Information Technology Services Officer

The jobholders is responsible for the oversight of Embassy locally-managed information technology services. This will include leading on implementation of new IT systems, advising Embassy staff on IT issues, arranging repairs, liaising with UK-based experts, managing the Embassy’s hardware and software stock and managing the wifi contract and service.

Embassy Projects Assistant

• The Embassy has a varied and interesting programme of initiatives throughout the year, which this jobholder will play a key role in delivering. This could range from organising a competition, like the ‘Bake-Off’ and ‘Creative Earth’ competitions of 2022, through to arranging a new set of branded gifts to give to partners, through to leading the design and implementation of the Embassy’s 30-year celebrations of diplomatic relations throughout the year

• The jobholder will also provide assistance to the management of Embassy-funded development programmes, currently focussed on climate change and gender

Back-up Executive Assistant and Social Media Officer

• The jobholder will provide cover for the Embassy’s Executive Assistant to the Ambassador and Social Media Assistant when they are not available

• This could include carrying out basic protocol, diary management, events management and social media work

• The jobholder will provide consular service cover when the regular Pro Consul is away

• Fluency at a C1 level in English according to CEFR Framework *

• Fluency at a C2 level in Turkmen or Russian according to CEFR Framework *

• Familiarity with accounting, banking, card management

• Experience of bookkeeping or managing cash and budgets in a similar organisation with an international presence

• Experience of providing basic IT helpdesk support to a team and help staff liaising with the helpdesk in a similar organisation with an international presence.