View Vacancy - Residence Cook (25/18 JHB)

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.
Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

Main purpose of job:

The Residence Cook is responsible for planning, preparing and producing all meals and refreshments for the Trade Commissioner and her guests, ensuring the Principal and all guests receive a quality service in terms of taste and presentation.

Roles and responsibilities
The Residence Cook will learn the personal preferences of the Trade Commissioner and her husband and ensure that all meals are prepared and served in a timely, thoughtful and professional manner.

The Residence Cook will liaise with the Residence Manager and Trade Commissioner/Husband to plan and create appropriate menus, including themed menus in line with dietary requirements; purchase ingredients; and cook, prepare and present the meals to a quality standard.

The Residence Cook will work closely with the Residence Manager to ensure professional presentation and delivery of the meals to guests, which may include high profile guests.

The Residence Cook will ensure the smooth running of the kitchen, including timely production of meals; efficient use of stock and stock rotation; and working closely with the Residence Manager to accurately track and record all expenses and use of ingredients, keeping separate records for official and personal entertainment. This includes conducting a monthly stock-take of operating equipment such as cutlery, crockery and glassware, ensuring that operating equipment stock levels are well maintained. And a weekly food count to ensure stocks are appropriate.

The Residence Cook will work with the Residence Manager to ensure a stock of suitable wines and beverages is maintained at the Residence and paired and used appropriately for events.

The Residence Cook will ensure equipment is in good working order, reporting any breakages and faulty appliances to the Residence Manager within one working day.

The Residence Cook will ensure that Health and Safety standards are maintained at all times, including dating food products, storage of foods, cleaning of fridges/pantry/ovens etc.

For any events that require external suppliers, the Residence Cook will work with the Residence Manager on costings; staffing; hiring of suppliers; layout/presentation of food to ensure quotes meet the brief and the prices represent good value for money.

The Residence Cook will liaise with external caterers on delivery and service, to plan and direct food preparation and culinary activities. This includes managing and overseeing all catering suppliers and staff during the event, to ensure the services supplied are in line with the agreed brief and standard and represent good value for money, and rectifying any problems or complaints that arise during the event.

The successful candidate will report to the Johannesburg Residence Manager and work closely with other Residence staff and colleagues in the Trade Office in Johannesburg, including the Trade Commissioner’s Personal Assistant.

The role will be based in the Trade Commissioner’s Residence in Johannesburg, supporting events hosted by the Trade Commissioner and other senior staff from the British Trade Office and British High Commission.

The Residence Cook will also cater for events at the British Trade Office in Johannesburg and may support trade-related events elsewhere in Johannesburg, hosted by the trade team.

The job may also require some travel to Pretoria to support the wider British Government activity in Gauteng.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

The Trade Commissioner’s personal expenditure for family and unofficial entertaining plus event-specific budget for official meals

  • Certified qualification in Cooking (required)
  • Proven ability to prepare and present high quality food for small and medium-sized events
  • Security Clearance
  • IT skills with competence in Excel and Word

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required:Excellent

  • Kitchen Management: Health/Safety/Food Hygiene/Equipment Operations
  • Menu planning and food cost management
  • Knowledge of wine and food pairing
  • Valid driver’s license
29 June 2018
S3
Permanent
Africa
South Africa
Johannesburg
British Trade Office
ZAR
6,946
1 August 2018
  • The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.
  • Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
  • Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
  • Working hours per week of 36.5

    • 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 Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa.
    • 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 fees for the permit
    • Make arrangements to relocate
    • Meet the costs to relocation 

    • The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so. 
    • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
    • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
    • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
    • Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.



        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.