View Vacancy - Security Guard, British Embassy Ashgabat (TKM25.008)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Security, Security Guards

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 Security Guard.

Main purpose of job:

Provide a guarding service that ensures the safety and security of Embassy staff members and visitors, as well as protecting the Embassy building and Ambassador’s Residence.

The Embassy guards work as a team with shared responsibilities that follow established procedures for security but should individually be vigilant to new threats and able to respond confidently to incidents and emergencies. The guards are the first point of contact for all visitors to the Embassy and regularly liaise with staff members on security measures, through clear communication in good standards of English and Turkmen. 

Roles and responsibilities:

Access control:

  • Enforce control procedures for the Embassy and Residence, ensuring that only staff and authorised visitors are granted entry, and that external visitors are appropriately escorted.
  • Conduct searches of individuals, vehicles and packages as required.
  • Oversee the secure storage of property keys, maintaining accurate records of key movements.

Perimeter security:

  • Conduct regular foot patrols around the perimeter of the Embassy or Residence to identify potential risks.
  • Investigate any suspicious item or activity close to the perimeter.
  • Liaise with the Diplomatic Police to manage groups of people or traffic congestion that could prevent secure access in/out of the Embassy/Residence.

Security monitoring:

  • Monitor 24/7 the Embassy or Residence’s security systems, including CCTV and radio communications. 
  • Respond to the emergency alarm system at the Embassy/residential properties and conduct in-person property checks when necessary.

Event security:

  • Ensure that event preparations and arrangements for guests are carried out in line with the Embassy’s security procedures.
  • Liaise with the Diplomatic Police to maintain a secure external environment during events at the Embassy or Residence.

Emergency preparedness and response:

  • Conduct and maintain reports on the Embassy’s regular alarm testing (fire, incident and bomb);
  • Provide immediate response to an emergency scenario that takes place within the Embassy perimeter or at a residential property.
  • Act as the first point of contact for staff involved in an emergency at another location. Provide assistance, liaise with police and alert other staff to the situation, as appropriate.

Customer service:

  • Guide visitors of all levels through the Embassy’s access procedures, providing information and assistance as appropriate.
  • Politely redirect to the appropriate contact any in-person visitors whose enquiry is not within the Embassy’s operations (e.g. a visa application).

Provide staff with timely notice of incidents in the city that could disrupt safe travel routes between the Embassy and residential areas.

Essentials on arrival:

  • IT Skills. Good use of Microsoft applications such as Outlook, Word and Excel.
  • At least 2 years of experience in security or any similar working experience in international or foreign organisations.  Basic experience with access control, monitoring CCTV and alarm systems and physical security check.
  • Fluency at a B1 level in English according to CEFR Framework*;
  • Fluency at a C2 level in Turkmen according to CEFR Framework *;
  • Fluency at a B1 at Russian according to CEFR Framework *
Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
28 January 2025
S2
Full-time, Permanent, Night shifts
48 hours per week
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Turkmenistan
Ashgabat
British Embassy
1
USD
$976 USD (gross)
monthly
1 April 2025

Working patterns:

The job requires a combination of 12 hour night shifts and 12 hour day shifts on rotation with rest days in between.  On average once every five months guards are required to work one month in the Embassy on a Monday to Friday 0900-1730 shift. 

The candidate should be available to workday and night shifts for the whole duration of the relevant shift, in line with the standard shift pattern. In some circumstances security staff are requested to take on additional shifts due to operational demands or short-notice gaps in team coverage.

All members of the security team follow a shift pattern, which is managed by the Post Security Manager.

All the Embassy’s security guards receive training in First Aid. Additionally, guards have the opportunity to stand in for shift supervisors during leave absences.

Please note that staff members are responsible for paying an income tax to local tax authorities.

The successful candidate will be subject to a professional background check and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Ashgabat is subject to local Terms and Conditions of Service.

All applicants should have the right to live and work in Turkmenistan. The British Embassy does not sponsor applications for work permits.

We highly encourage female candidates to apply for this position as we are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our organisation.

The Embassy offers a competitive package of salary and benefits, access to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s excellent Learning Academy opportunities.

All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Turkmenistan are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law and FCDO guidance for Local Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

*Please note, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.