View Vacancy - Deputy Estates Manager (28/25 NR)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Estates

Main purpose of job

The job holder will lead a large and diverse team of technicians from various disciplines in delivering a safe, fit-for-purpose and efficient Estate that meets Health and Safety compliance standards of the UK. They will collaborate with the Deputy Estates Manager – Accommodation in project delivery and day-to-day running of the Estate. 

They’ll use their experience in contstruction, facilities management and/or health and safety in delivering a programme of works to keep the High Commission, its offices and residential Estate maintained to high health and safety standards, escalating any major concerns to the Estates Manager for guidance. They will work with the UK Technical Works Supervisor’s (TWSs) and Senior Regional Technical Lead (SRTL) to ensure UK compliance standards are achieved across the Estate.

They will be responsible for supplier management of numerous goods and services related to technical works, and positively contribute to a cost reduction strategy within Estate team programmes and budgets to achieve further efficiences in the Technical Works Group.

They will deliver high standards of customer service (in person and in written form) and be responsive to customer requests in a concise, clear and empathetic way.

Roles and responsibilities

Project Management (25%):

  • Using their construction, facilities management or health and safety experience the job holder will ensure technical projects are sequenced and planned for timely delivery of works across the Estate.
  • Strive for resource efficiencise in project delivery through prioritising work requests knowing when a job isn’t required or can be done differently to achieve a good enough outcome.
  • Seek advice and implement advice from UK Technical Works Supervisors (TWS) and Senior Regional Technical Lead (SRTL) to ensure projects are designed and delivered to UK standards, including centrally-funded projects.
  • Provide oversite and quality assurance of Planned, Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedules for the Estate and delivering adjustements to the Estate.

Procurement and Supplier Management (25%):

  • Work with procurement colleagues in fulfilment of tender processes to successful contract award ensuring contracts are in place for maintenance and other services.
  • Regular oversite and engagement with supplier to ensure contracts are managed effectively against contracts terms and conditions including addressing poor performance where necessary.
  • Develope scope of works for tender packs and peer review scope of works across the whole BHC office for technical compliance (even if works are not Estates related)

Team Leadership (20%):

  • Collaborate with the Deputy Estates Manager – Accommodation in the joint delivery of projects, including compliance refurbishements, deputising and covering duties across the Estate Management piece as required.
  • Recognise good performance through award schemes, 1:1’s, tema meetings and line management meetings, and with the support of HR, where there are incidences of poor performance or disciplinary issues within the technical team, help guide line managers on swift and responsive actions.
  • Work with mission wide learning and development, mental health first aiders, and first responders to ensure the wider technical team feels supported in a safe working environment.

Health & Safety (15%):

  • Chair the Post Health & Safety Committee working with the secretariat to develop quarterly agendas, follow-up actions and update senior leadership (at least annually).
  • Address Health & Safety matters promptly and investigate significant incidents reporting back to HQ as required.
  • Review, edit and authorise health & safety communication and schedules to ensure they are least intrusive to occupants within the residential estate.

Finance (15%):

  • Communicate daily with the Estates manager on any finance-related activities within the technical team, and ensure timely payment processing of all Estates technical invoices.
  • Coordinate capital bids submission annually and ensure prompt escalation of works required for safety compliance valued over £3,000 (or specified threshold) with HQ Global Maintenance teams
  • Ensure timely reconciliations, receipt and payment for supplier purchases via government procurement card

Resources managed

You will be the direct line manager to:

  • AO Estates Accommodation & Technical Works Officer
  • AA Storekeeper
  • AO General Foreman – Residential
  • AO General Foreman – Non Residential
  • AO Health & Safety Officer
  • AA TWG Office Assistant

Quality Assure and provide leadership to the rest of the Technical Works Group which is approximately 36 pax.

  • Demonstrable work experience in Construction or Facilities Management or Health & Safety
  • Supplier management and following procurement processes
  • Finance/accounting experience
  • Direct line management and managing a large team experience
  • Clean driving record with valid Kenyan driving license (must pass a BHC drivers test during interview phase)
  • Language requirements: Proficient in English and Kiswahili
  • Project Management Experience
  • Customer engagement
  • NEBOSH Certificate
  • Degree, Diploma or certificate in Construction or Facilities Management or Health & Safety
  • Health & Safety training to UK standards
Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture
26 September 2025
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term
36.25 hours
12 months
Africa
Kenya
Nairobi
British High Commission
1
KES
KES 280 165,78 (Base salary is subject to tax and other statutory deductions)
monthly
2 January 2026

Learning and development

Learning and Development is normally comprised of 70% practical, 20% mentorship and 10% in-class style learning.  Due to limited budgets there is limited scope to fund professional external learning and development but the BHC provides routine training opportunities from in-house experts.

Working patterns:

  • Monday – Thursday 07:15 – 16:00, Friday 07:45 – 13:00

"Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification."

  • 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.
  • Base salary is subject to tax and other statutory deductions
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Nairobi are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Kenya.
  • It is essential that the applicants already have the right to live and work in Kenya without the need to apply for a work permit.
  • Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
  • Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles. Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates and appointment is subject to that clearance.
  • Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.
  • Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”
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This opportunity is closed to applications.