View Vacancy - Head of Corporate Services (05/23 KPL)

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.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Finance

Main purpose of job:

The Head of Corporate Services provides leadership and management of the Corporate Services Team (CST) and is responsible for the effective implementation of policies as well as balancing the needs and resources provided to the British High Commission, Kampala.

The post holder will provide leadership and management oversight for a team of around 35 who are responsible for providing administrative services in all areas including, financial management and procurement, HR, accounting, estates and office services, IT, transport, health and safety services. 

The role is responsible for ensuring compliance with UK Government rules and regulations in all areas of Corporate Services.

Roles and responsibilities 

  • To lead on the British High Commission’s (BHC) human resources strategies, to ensure that BHC has the resources it needs to meet business objectives and continuous improvements are made in the way BHC manages and develops its people. To lead on short and long term staffing plans and forecasts to ensure staffing needs are met; including management of Diplomatic staff and locally employed staff postings and promotions.
  • To lead on the delivery of HR services including locally employed staff pay and conditions to ensure they remain in line with local market to enable BHC to recruit, motivate and retain talented staff and to ensure that BHC is seen as a fair and responsible employer.  
  • To lead on the provision of estates and office services including security, health and safety of owned and leased properties and the BHC Kampala office buildings and compound. To ensure BHC office and estates are managed on a sustainable basis and to contribute to HMG’s targets to reduce carbon emissions and reduce energy consumption.
  • To oversee the IT and Information systems, including effective implementation and compliance with security information policies.
  • To oversee BHC’s contracting and procurement operations ensuring corporate compliance with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) policies and demonstrating value for money.
  • To support the implementation of wider corporate priorities as required by FCDO and drive forward the country business plan.
  • To engage with stakeholders at HQ , at Post and , Regional Corporate Services Hubs in Manila and Pretoria to ensure that a high quality of service is provided and maintained by the CST.  

Resources managed:

  • Corporate Services Team of 36 Staff
  • Direct Line management of 7 Staff
  • Administrative and Capital Budget of £3.5 million
  • A Bachelors Degree or equivalent, preferably in Management or Administration.
  • Significant experience (at least five years) in a leadership/ management role, or equivalent.
  • Strong background in management.
  • Strong financial and human resource management knowledge and experience.
  • Proven track record of delivering results and managing multiple priorities.
  • The ability to lead and operate as part of a diverse team.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Excellent written and spoken English.
  • Resilience and adaptability.
  • Experience working in a diplomatic mission or International NGO at leadership level for at least 5 years
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
16 June 2023
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Fixed Term
5 months
Africa
Uganda
Kampala
British High Commission
UGX 13,750,000.00 per month
1 August 2023

Learning and development opportunities

BHC Kampala has a positive learning and development culture, and an active L&D committee.  The role itself is varied and offers plenty of on the job training.  There is also a strong regional network, with posts of different sizes, meaning there are opportunities for joint formal training as well as work shadowing and learning from peers. 

Working patterns:

office working is required; flexible working arrangements can be discussed within policy. 

The FCDO pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty, and tackle global challenges with our international partners. We place emphasis on how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions and how we get the job done to deliver our cultural statement:

  • We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
  • We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
  • We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.
  • Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the required elements in the Success Profile Questions section of the online application form. Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
  • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Kampala are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Uganda.
    All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to; Obtain the relevant permit;
  • Pay the fees for the permit; Make arrangements to relocate; Meet the costs to relocation.
  • Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
  • Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
  • Please note:  Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates
  • The British High Commission will only contact successful candidates, if you do not hear from us please consider your application unsuccessful.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6/12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

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.