View Vacancy - Furniture Officer, UK Mission to the United Nations

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

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Mission to the United Nations (UKMIS) in New York has an exciting opportunity for an active, and dynamic person to join the Estates Team as Furniture Officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the UN, supporting work at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally. 

The Mission is part of the wider British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States and offers a unique career enhancing opportunity. UKMIS represents the United Kingdom at all negotiations in New York, plays a key role in the Security Council as a Permanent Member and ensures British interests and views are taken into account.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.

In this role you will be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

The New York British Government Office is comprised of over 200 staff, across two offices, 8 Government Departments, and a wide range of policy priorities. The successful candidate will therefore be working with diverse range of stakeholders and issues.  Exceptional people management and clear written and spoken communication skills are essential. The jobholder must have an adaptable approach with a willingness to learn and work flexibly across a broad range of issues, including new areas not covered above, which might emerge during the individual’s time in the role. Therefore, the successful candidate will be collaborative, proactive and willing to help others enthusiastically.

The Furniture Officer’s role leads on the planning, implementing and supervising all furniture and fittings for the owned and leased property portfolio for all diplomatic staff at our New York post. You will manage contacts with existing stakeholders, manage the furniture budget and work with the maintenance manager who line manage the Mover and Maintenance Team. You will work under the supervision of the Facilities Manager and assist the Facilities Manager in continuously improving the post’s Furniture Policy and Strategy. 


Roles and responsibilities:

  • Lead on planning, tracking and reporting of all furniture work, in line with approved policy and strategy.
  • Support the Facilities Manager in assessments of approximately 25 owned properties and life cycle maintenance planning to develop and deliver the annual business plan objectives.
  • Deliver a strong customer service based on policies, strategies and budget.
  • Support the Facilities manager in the management of an approximate budget of $200k for Furniture.
  • Undertake the procurement, and contract management, of contractors for key furniture services.
  • Ensure work orders are completed on time (at pace) and logs are updated accurately.  
  • Work alongside Maintenance Manager to ensure furniture deliveries/ removals are scheduled appropriately.
  • Ensure Property Compliance Assessments are undertaken, and remedial actions are integrated in maintenance planning on a priority basis, submitting bids for additional budget where needed.
  • Find optimisations within the property portfolio to enhance Value for Money.
  • Work with our Finance department to ensure processes and payments are done correctly and in time.
  • Accurate forward-looking forecasting of maintenance works for the current and future financial years.
  • Ensure Health & Safety procedures are adhered to and practised.
  • Other ad-hoc duties as required.
  • Minimum 3-5 years’ experience of working in a fast-paced building maintenance or service environment (or related field). .
  • Ability to prioritize, effectively manage and execute multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
  • Creative and innovative problem-solving skills.  
  • Strong team player who can work flexibly based on the changing needs of the team and business.
  • Strong IT skills and the ability to effectively use Outlook, Excel and Word and MS Teams
  • Clear and confident communicator, with the ability to work with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
  • Fluent in English (both spoken and written)
  • Must have the right to live and work in the United States. We do not sponsor visas.

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. 

  • Contract management and procurement experience
  • Project management experience
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace
26 June 2023
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
12 months
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
New York
International Organisation Delegation
1
USD
$24.32
14 August 2023
14 August 2024

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

Resources managed:

  • Effectively liaise with other Estates Team members and departments within the wider organisation
  • $200k furniture budget

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.


Salary: $24.32/hr


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. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

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.