View Vacancy - SRR - Deputy Head of Corporate Services, Estates and Transport (HEO)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Estates

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Deputy Head of Corporate Services (DHCS) for Estates and Transport on a fixed-term contract of two (2) years.

The jobholder is responsible for ensuring KSA Network Estate and transport services are fit for purpose, proactively seeking improvements and value for money in accordance with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) policies, procurement, and budgetary guidance.

As a leader in corporate delivery, the jobholder will require excellent management, interpersonal and communication skills, tact, discretion, and an ability to deliver consistently across a broad range of responsibilities. The jobholder will also be required to show understanding and sensitivity in handling Embassy and host government requirements.

In particular, we are looking for a skilled manager able to bring the best out of his/ her staff and able to organise the work and team to ensure delivery whilst adhering to Embassy protocol and standards. 


Duties and responsibilities:

- Estates

  • Manage the estates portfolio across two sites (Riyadh and Jeddah) in line with policy. Manage the Estates team effectively and in accordance with HR policy, treating people fairly and with respect.
  • Provide strategic direction leading the team through change.
  • Effectively manage contracts/ maintenance budgets with a total value of over £2m per annum for the KSA Network. Ensure contracts represent value for money and comply with FCDO procurement guidelines, and that delivery of contracts meet agreed time, quality, and cost criteria.
  • Ensure property condition assessment (PCA) recommendations are met and that progress is reported frequently to the relevant boards, and relevant action taken where necessary.
  • Oversee planned preventative maintenance works (PPM) and deliver plans for improvement.
  • Oversee asset registers, forward maintenance, and long-term maintenance strategies and improvements with a 5-year plan.
  • Lead Embassy planning for Estates refurbishments through the Global Asset Management Plan (GLAMP), and ensure effective delivery of major estates programmes.
  • Green the KSA Network and ensure effective delivery of greening in line with agreed targets.
  • Oversee Health & Safety (H&S) Committee, undertake regular audits and ensure appropriate action is taken to address H&S issues. Maintain H&S compliance and risk registers, and manage centrally led inspections. Provide briefings to H&S committee and Senior Management about Post’s exposure to liability and risk, recommending remedial action where appropriate.
  • Complete sample checks of lease agreements, plan on reporting and Estates audit requirements. Highlight improvements and process changes where necessary.
  • Maintain mandatory reporting for both office and residential estates.
  • Drive improvement in estates core compliance areas as needed and identified in the Post Data Capture report. Ensure progress is reported frequently to the relevant boards and relevant action taken where necessary.
  • Meet regularly with the Global Property Support Service (GPSS) Regional Manager to identify improvement plans and to ensure the central Forward Maintenance Register is up-to-date. Report to Senior Leaders on key improvement plans.
  • Oversee contract management for Estates/ Logistics.

- Transport

  • Oversee and ensure KSA transport provision to all relevant stakeholders across Riyadh and Jeddah in line with policy. Manage Transport Managers overseeing the transport team.
  • Maintain an updated KSA transport policy.
  • Manage capital allocations and prepare requests ahead of the financial year and a 5-year strategy plan.
  • Promote energy efficiency in the transport fleet.

- Resource management

  • Day-to-day and direct line management of three (3) members of staff and oversight of their teams. Effectively allocate work, prioritisation, and performance management of the team, and ensure training and development, coaching and mentoring of the team and staff.
  • Work with the Head of Corporate Services (HCS) and Deputy Head of Corporate Services for Policy, Finance, HR and Compliance to plan and establish resource and development needs.
  • Review and manage network compliance in line with PCA requirements, ensuring a strategic plan is managed and approved by the relevant boards.
  • Review and refine the financial elements of business cases drafted by the team to support Network priorities, and lead on securing financial approval from the relevant teams in FCDO HQ.

- Other local requirements

  • Take on the role of Deputy Logistics Manager in the Embassy crisis management team, undergo the appropriate training, take part in desk-based crisis exercises, and standing ready to support if a real crisis occurs. Ensure that logistical crisis response instructions are up to date and that after each incident or exercise these are reviewed and updated in the light of lessons learned.
  • Provide cover during absences/ annual leave for the Head of Corporate Services.
  • Handle any additional requests from the Head of Corporate Services and other ad-hoc tasks as and when required.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the Line Manager and Senior Management. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens. 


Key behaviours required:

  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Changing and Improving - Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • At least 6-10 years of middle management experience, preferably with direct involvement in Estates, Logistics, operational management/ programme management.
  • At least 6-10 years of experience in managing cross-functional teams.
  • At least 6-10 years of budget management experience.
  • Experience in managing suppliers and outsource delivery.
  • At least a bachelor’s degree in finance, estates, or other relevant fields.
  • A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to engage at all levels internally and with external stakeholders. Ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Strong customer service skills to manage competing priorities. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with all stakeholders. Able to show discretion in handling any sensitive matters, with the trust of all involved.
  • Good interpersonal skills and team player with willingness to work across boundaries. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with contacts and colleagues.
  • Excellent team management skills. Resilient, and flexible, and demonstrates a ‘can do’ attitude.
  • Strong problem solving and analytical skills and resourcefulness in solving problems. Ability to anticipate and take initiative to avoid problems or fix them, and to use information and experience to solve problems effectively. Able to work independently and react calmly to situations that may arise, without constant supervision.
  • Strong organisational skills and keen attention to detail. Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and in a fast-paced environment and adapting to changing aims without compromising the quality of the work.
  • Strong IT skills and proficiency in MS Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
  • Advanced degree or professional qualification/s in finance, estates, facilities management, project management, or a related field.
  • Previous experience in the government or public sector or in an international organisation in a similar capacity.
  • Familiarity with Oracle-based applications for finance/ procurement.
  • Familiarity with UK and health and safety laws.
  • Familiarity with FCDO or UK government/ public sector processes and policies on finance/ procurement.
Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
23 January 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
24 months
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
1
SAR
17,763.04
1 April 2023

Eligibility:

The position is available to Saudi Nationals and to current holders of valid Saudi residence permits or transferable Iqamas. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their sponsorship to the British Embassy. 

 

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Salary details:

  • Base Salary including Eid bonus - SAR 13,890.44
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 3,472.61 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Travel Allowance - SAR 400 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Total - SAR 17,763.04

*Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form.

No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08:00 to 15:00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10:00-15:00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs. Flexible working arrangements may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

The jobholder will be required to be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours. Although the role is based in Riyadh, the jobholder should also be prepared to conduct regular travel to our Consulate General in Jeddah.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include to their online application form 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and 2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role, and 3) examples in the relevant sections of the online application form of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 23 January 2023.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step in the recruitment process will be contacted.

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances, medical clearance and reference checks. 

 

The British Embassy Riyadh is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Saudi Arabia employment law.

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.