View Vacancy - Corporate Services Manager
The Governor’s Office (Foreign & Commonwealth Office/FCO) is looking for an experienced person to join us as Corporate Services Manager. The successful candidate will be working in a busy environment, where the ability to work under pressure is vital.
The successful candidate will take the lead on corporate policies and systems and oversee the delivery of Corporate Services such as Human Resources, Estates Management, Budget Management and Financial excellence. The jobholder will work closely with the Governor as well as the wider FCO team to provide a professional back-office function that supports the effective delivery of the Governor’s Office services that will achieve value-for-money and effective service delivery for the Governor’s Office. The job will also involve leading on arranging FCO corporate and Ships’ visits and supporting the Consular Officer (CO) in providing assistance to British nationals, in line with Consular guidance, and fulfilling the role entirely during the CO’s absence. It will involve interaction with members of the public, local and regional authorities in the UK and in the Caribbean, and colleagues across the consular network. Customer service and team working skills are essential.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Corporate Services/Human Resources (30%):
- Facilitate arrival and departure of FCO UK-based staff including arranging official travel.
- HR, Estates and Finance oversight and planning.
- To work to align Corporate Services objectives to the achievement of the Governor’s Office (FCO) Business Plan, improve and adapt processes to ensure more efficient service delivery, and work to motivate, up-skill and support a busy team.
- Engaging with other Corporate Services teams and central or regionalised units in London and in the FCO network to ensure processes are completed fully and issues followed up.
- To represent the Governor’s Office (FCO) at Corporate Service events and meetings.
Finance (30%):
- To perform Budget management of the Governor’s Office (FCO) finances within a tight financial climate where prioritisation is a daily challenge; oversight/management of financial processes to ensure rigorous financial compliance, efficient procurement and the achievement of value-for-money.
Estates (30%):
- To provide oversight of the Governor’s Office (FCO) estate (both office and residential accommodation), ensuring compliance with Health and Safety requirements and project management of estates projects.
- Lead on tendering processes and contractual work for the office and residential accommodation.
- Work with contractors, landlords and BVI Government employees to effectively manage the estate.
- Working with senior management to implement larger projects and change management. Oversight of the Governor’s Office (FCO) security function.
- Coordinating maintenance undertaken by external contractors.
- Resolution of maintenance issues at UK staff residential property.
Visits Management (5%):
- Lead on arranging FCO corporate and ships’ visits, including ship clearances.
Consular Backup (5%):
- Provide Consular frontline support to the Consular Officer as necessary in delivering assistance to distressed visiting British nationals and their families via face to face, the telephone or email contact across a range of issues.. Lead on Consular frontline service delivery in the absence of the Consular Officer, adhering to policy and obtaining support from the regional network as appropriate. Stay up to date with mandatory Consular learning.
- Good communicator at all levels with excellent standards of written and spoken English.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience (or a proven track record), preferably in corporate administration especially administering budgets.
- Book keeping or equivalent experience
- Good knowledge of maintenance supplies and materials, as well as knowledge of local markets, suppliers and pricing.
- Good knowledge of procurement and purchasing procedures.
- Good knowledge of Health and Safety best practice, procedures and guidelines.
- Ability to work under pressure and deal with competing priorities, equally comfortable working with senior management as well as with others.
- Able to analyse problems rapidly and work on his/her own initiative.
- Display strong administrative skills with good working knowledge of Windows and MS Office applications, especially MS Outlook, Word and Excel.
- Ability to work to deadlines with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong customer service skills with ability to focus on the customer’s requirements.
- Be a team player who is supportive to colleagues at all times.
- Good interpersonal and time management skills.
- Flexibility, patience, and ability to deal with difficult situations, including working unsocial hours in an emergency or crisis.
- Valid Driving Licence.
- Previous experience of a similar position, or elements of the job description in previous roles.
- Experience in project management.
- Knowledge of the British Government system and / or British Overseas Territories
Resume and cover letter should be submitted by 5 July 2016 by following the online application process.
This is a full-time position of 5 working days, 40 hours per week, for an initial fixed term contract period of two years with the possibility for extension.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position and the posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks and security vetting procedures. Staff recruited locally by the Governor’s Office are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local BVI employment law and FCO guidance for Local Staff.
The British Virgin Islands are an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. Every 3-4 years a Governor representing Her Majesty the Queen is appointed to the Virgin Islands. The constitution gives the Governor certain responsibilities which include oversight for external affairs, defence and internal security, administration of the courts and terms and conditions of public officers. The Governor is supported by a team consisting of BVI Government staff and the FCO who support the Governor in the execution of his/her responsibilities and enables him/her to carry out their programme of public functions.
As the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a British Overseas Territory, there is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation. The local authorities deal with all requests for emergency assistance. However, the Governor’s Office will assist in genuine emergencies and where local authorities are unable to assist.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
