View Vacancy - Head of Protocol - Residence of the British Ambassador
Main purpose of job:
The British Embassy in Santo Domingo is seeking a Head of Protocol to lead the day-to-day operations for the Residence of the British Ambassador, ensuring that the British Residence at all times projects a welcoming, modern and highly professional image of the UK. This is a varied role, with the opportunity to get experience in an unusually broad mix of areas in a high-profile diplomatic setting, working directly with the British Ambassador.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative professional to organise events at the Residence and oversee the management of the property and staff on a day- to- day basis. This is a part-time but permanent role with flexible hours and overtime available regularly.
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, 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 Embassy’s working language is English.
Roles and responsibilities:
Events:
- Support the British Ambassador for all events and activities at the Residence
- Creative planning and design of events, budgeting and liaising with suppliers; managing invitations and additional staff; preparation of the Residence for VIP visitors; quality assurance for all events.
Organisational/operational:
- Ensure the Residence estate is efficiently run, well organised and maintained to a high standard.
Finance:
- Manage the Residence budget and prepare expense reports, quotes, budget and other necessary reports to run the Residence finances effectively.
Staff Management:
- Ensure all Residence staff are properly trained and supervised.
- Supervise temporary/contract staff contracted for events and/or specific works
Contacts:
- Maintain an updated database of service suppliers. Identify reliable and value for money providers, and build up good relationships.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Staff:
- Line management of 3 Domestic staff (and other staff as required)
Budgets:
- Manage Residence finances and control of the Residence budget
Residence Imprest
- Must have the legal status to live and work in Dominican Republic
- Fluent English and Spanish, covering reading, writing, speaking and listening, and an ability to switch between the two languages seamlessly
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, in writing and in person
- Proven ability to prioritise, effectively manage and execute multiple tasks and meet deadlines
- Proven ability to demonstrate initiative and self-motivation
Language requirements:
- Language: Written and spoken English and Spanish
- Level of language required: A high level of fluency in English and Spanish (written and verbal) are essential.
- A college/university level degree in Hospitality Management or equivalent experience
- Background in events planning or protocol of events preferred
- At least 2 years of relevant experience e.g. in the hospitality industry
- Experience in managing budgets
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
Learning and development opportunities:
BE Santo Domingo is committed to Learning and Development and a wide range of training will be available, including FCDO Mandatory Training as set out on FCOGlo at the time of hiring.
Working patterns:
- Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 13:00, but may require out of office hours.
- Availability to work mornings, afternoon or evenings depending on events or other works schedule. Availability to work overtime when required.
- Ordinarily, the stakeholder-facing nature of the role may limit flexible working patterns such as working from home.
- The position requires pre-existing legal status to live and work in the Dominican Republic and will be subject to satisfactory reference checks and successful receipt of local and overseas security clearances.
- Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Dominican employment law.
- In addition to the salary, the British Embassy offers a strong benefits package including local health insurance.
- Working hours many vary depending on event requirements and others.
- Paid annual leave entitlement is 16 working days per calendar year which increases after five years of service. Dominican and some UK public holiday days are also observed
- Work Location – British Residence (Avda. Anacaona)
- The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
This opportunity is closed to applications.