View Vacancy - Grounds Keeper (FIN21.110)

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)
Estates

Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.

The British Embassy in Helsinki is part of a worldwide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Grounds Keeper.

The successful applicant will be responsible for maintaining both the Residence and the Embassy outdoor areas. The areas should be maintained to a high standard throughout the year. Grounds maintenance work is co-ordinated in consultation with the Estates Manager, including purchases (GPC) and reporting of maintenance requirements and fault reporting. The Grounds Keeper will also assist the Corporate Services team with other tasks, varying from administrative and technical works, supervising contractors and driving as required.

The Grounds Keeper will be part of the out of hours ‘On-Call Officer’ rota for Embassy Compound.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Grounds Management

  • Maintain the Residence and Embassy gardens and grounds to a high standard throughout all seasons. Size of area is approx. 5000m2.

  • Plan and deliver the yearly garden maintenance and improvement work.

  • Upkeep and repair of paths and walkways including other outdoor features within in the grounds.

  • Safe use of pesticides.

  • Seasonal work includes the clearing of leaves and snow, sand/grit spreading as required. Ensure stairs and routes are cleared.

  • Purchase items with GPC card when required.

  • Act as an on-call officer (out of hours) for Embassy / Residence emergencies on a rota basis with other Corporate Service Team colleagues.

Corporate Services Support

  • Provide cover for the Embassy Driver when required.

  • Report faults to relevant business areas at Post.

  • Assist with contractor supervision.

  • Assist with CS section duties as required, e.g. planning and preparation of events.

  • Support with resolving requests for minor repairs.

 


  • High level of competence in English language skills (both oral and written, minimum C1 level*);

  • Basic level of Finnish (both oral and written);

  • Previous formal training/education in the field of landscape architecture or one of the fields of Horticulture;

  • Minimum of 3 years gardening experience;

  • IT literacy including MS office (Teams, Excel, Outlook);

  • Clean Driving license;

  • Capability to operate lawnmowers, trimmer’s etc. gardening machinery.


  • Knowledge of indigenous planting;

  • Health and Safety knowledge.


25 April 2021
Administrative Assistant (AA)
Full-time, Flexible working, Permanent
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Finland
Helsinki
British Embassy
1
2860.57 (Gross)
1 June 2021

This is a full-time permanent contract of 36.25 hours per week. Working hours are Monday – Friday (9.00- 16.45).

The appointment is subject to professional background check, security clearance and the successful completion of a probationary period.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Finland are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Finnish employment law and FCDO guidance for Country Based Staff.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Finland and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.


Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Due to the nature of the role, we would invite interviewees to attend live interview unless COVID restrictions prevent attendance at time of interviews being held.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

The British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

Additional Information (due to Covid 19):

  • You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;

  • Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;

  • Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.

*Please refer to the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”. We are looking for a C1 level or equivalent. CEFR indicates Level C1 as mastery or proficiency level which can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

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.