View Vacancy - Residence Assistant (NLD21.423)

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 (Residence and Support Staff)
Housekeeper, Waiter/Household Assistant, Butler

The British Embassy in The Hague is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is looking for a Residence Assistant.

The Residence is the centre of entertainment for the British Embassy in The Hague. As such, it hosts a range of events that take place throughout the year. The Residence has a number of guest rooms used for official visits. It’s also home to the Ambassador and his family.

The Residence Assistant plays an important role, carrying out a wide variety of tasks such as setting up rooms for events, welcoming guests, waiting on guests during events, and maintaining Residence rooms to a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene. Willingness to do basic/light cooking on occasion such as cookies and breakfasts.

The new hire will be a crucial member of the Ambassador’s team and expected to be a strong team player, contributing to a high standard of service delivery on a daily basis. The Residence Assistant will directly report to the Residence Manager.    

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • Support the Residence team in ensuring successful delivery of a high level of service for all requirements relating to official business entertainment at the Residence from afternoon tea, formal and informal breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, to large receptions, buffet parties, seminars and workshops - willingness to do basic/light cooking on occasion such as cookies and breakfasts.
  • Maintain rooms to a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene. This includes cleaning the floor, dusting, vacuuming, polishing glassware, china, brass and silver;
  • Assist in setting up rooms for events and clearing them up afterwards;
  • Set tables for meals; provide waiting service during dinners, receptions and other events;
  • Welcome guests and provide a high quality front of house service;
  • Monitor the CCTV system and take appropriate action in case of an incident;
  • Report technical or maintenance issues to the Residence Manager;
  • Cover for the Residence Manager during his absence;
  • Work flexibly in the role and as part of a wider Embassy team. 

The Embassy promotes the core values of Professionalism, Honesty and Respect in all that we do. We are an equal opportunities employer and all members of the team are expected to treat each other with respect. We value great teamwork and we ask that everyone contribute to create a positive atmosphere at work.

The job description is subject to changes and may evolve over time and in response to changing circumstances. The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.

  • Basic/Intermediate level in English (both written and spoken, minimum of B1 level for CEFR framework*);
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to treat others with respect and courtesy;
  • Being discrete at all times;
  • Cleaning experience;
  • Ability to work flexible hours in support of events hosted at the Residence; 
  • Experience working under pressure;
  • Ability to understand customers’ needs;
  • Good communication skills and confidence to approach customers.
  • Previous relevant working experience in an international standard hotel, diplomatic residence or equivalent.
30 September 2021
S3
Fixed Term, Full-time
36
12 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Netherlands
The Hague
British Embassy
1
EUR
€ 2,262.56 (gross) monthly
1 November 2021

Working time may vary depending on events at the Residence.

The successful candidate will initially be offered a 12 months employment contract at S3 level. The base salary for this position is € 2,262.56 gross per month, based on a working week of 36 hours. In addition, an annual 8% holiday allowance is payable. The Embassy currently applies a performance based bonus pay model for local staff.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in The Netherlands.

The successful candidate will undergo a professional background check; Any job offer is also provisional to a successful security clearance check.

The Embassy encourages a culture of continuous learning. All employees have access to the Civil Service Learning platform which gives access to training to improve job specific skills. Employees are entitled to a minimum number of annual training days.

The British Embassy promotes and demonstrates the key values of Professionalism, Respect and Honesty.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in The Netherlands 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.

Under the terms of the UK/NL Double Taxation Convention (Article 18 1(b)(ii),  UK nationals who move to The Netherlands to take up their new role at the Embassy/Consulate and UKB spouse start working at the Embassy with no previous record of working in the Netherlands since the arrival of the UKB partner they accompany,  will be placed on a tax abated salary if deemed to be eligible for Dutch income tax exemption on their salary. Qualifying staff will have no Dutch tax levied on their salary and will therefore be paid a lower salary abated by the amount of tax they would have had to pay if that local liability existed. A tax abated salary ensures a fair and comparable take home pay. Staff on tax abated salaries cannot claim tax benefits in The Netherlands but they are fully and comprehensively covered for social security and deemed to be resident local staff for all intents and  purposes.

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.

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

Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

* Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is 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.