View Vacancy - Technical Works Professional

The Technical Works professional provides support to the overseas Technical Works Officer (TWO) network, advising on estate, building maintenance and Health & Safety issues for a specified Region under the terms of Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

The main function of the job is to carry out Property Inspections and Property Compliance Assessments (PCA); to identify necessary works and maintain a 5-year rolling programme of remedial work (Forward Maintenance Programme). More specific services can be provided (for example, Project Management of smaller projects)

The Technical Works professional will support Post, Estates & Security Directorate (ESD) and other Directorates to ensure they are fully appraised of their respective duties and responsibilities in relation to maintaining a safe and suitable working environment and residential accommodation for staff.

Technical oversight of Technical Works Supervisor (TWS’s) and locally engaged technical staff may be required

Success in the job will be evidenced by a fit-for-purpose estate throughout the region and an efficient and seamless delivery of services to the customer.

This role will be expected to have travel commitment overseas to all regions where support is required including hazardous zones; often at short notice.   The duration of temporary duty is flexible and subject to business requirements.  

Close liaison with our in-house, Project Managers, Architects, Surveyors, M&E Engineers, Security System Designers & Structural Engineers is necessary to ensure that all aspects of construction and property maintenance are co-ordinated. Engagement with, and management of, overseas-based construction consultants and Clerks of Works is also an essential part of this role.

The job holder will be required to maintain an effective CPD, as well as developing existing and new skills.

Responsibilities: 

• Visit overseas posts to complete Property Compliance Assessments and Property Inspections and produce visit reports to support recommendations
• Maintain a 5-year Forward Maintenance Programme for the FCO estate (training provided)
• Understanding, capturing and defining the client’s requirements and objectives is an important skill for this role.
• Customer liaison.
• Good awareness of budget and resource management is essential in the job.
• Prepare and manage cost budgets relating to provision of services
• A willingness to travel overseas, sometimes at short notice.
• Experience of contract administration would be of benefit.
• Close liaison with our in-house, Project Managers, Architects, Surveyors, M&E Engineers, Security System Designers & Structural Engineers is necessary to ensure that all aspects of construction and property maintenance are co-ordinated. Engagement with, and management of, overseas-based construction consultants and Clerks of Works is also an essential part of this role.
• Provide assistance to the FCOS Customer Contact Centre in developing fee proposals for project based work.
• Where possible, identify wider market opportunities to support business growth
• Maintain an effective CPD, as well as developing existing and new skills.
• Provide professional advice in your specialist discipline to customers and stakeholders
• Liaise with customers and stakeholders at a senior level including Ambassadors, DHM’s and High Commissioners at Post to ensure their requirements are understood and met
• Work directly with FCO security advisors to ensure their recommendations are integrated into the works.
• Keep abreast of developments relating to professional and FCO Services business changes
• Provide leave/ holiday relief for Technical Works Officers (TWO’s) as required
• Advise posts on technical, health & safety and contractual matters in relation to all small and medium estate maintenance, new works, security and “ingoing’s”
• Provide Ad Hoc advice to Posts as described in the SLA
• Oversee satisfactory completion of fire, lift, water, other statutory inspections and security recommendations and advise post on implementation of recommendations
• Manage and deliver Executive Services on a fee recovery basis
• Manage small/medium size projects as directed by Head of the Professional Service Centre. This may include simple designs and preparation of tender documents relevant to discipline
• Support the PSC teams in the delivery of larger projects.  
• Develop contacts with opposite numbers in friendly missions
• Mentor and provide technical oversight of TWSs in the region
• Work with FCO security advisors to ensure their recommendations are integrated into the works.

• Qualification to degree level in building construction or MEP related disciplines.  
• Chartered Engineer, Chartered Surveyor, or Professional Engineer status or similar
• Member of a professional body either construction or mechanical and electrical such as IET,CIOB, RICS, CIBSE, CIET or similar.    
• Working knowledge of relevant UK technical standards and building related health and safety legislation
• Working knowledge of relevant US technical standards
• Broad knowledge of building, civil, mechanical and electrical work as appropriate to discipline
• Experience of project management and survey work
• Experience of preparing small works contracts (NEC)
• Willingness to travel (possibly 35%-50%)

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. 

*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.