View Vacancy - OMN - Ambassador’s Residence Chef (AA)

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Residence and Support Staff)
Cook/Chef

The British Embassy in Muscat is part of a worldwide network that represents the UK’s political, economic, security, and consular interests overseas. We are seeking a highly motivated and proactive individual for the position of Ambassador’s Residence Chef at the grade of Administrative Assistant (AA), on a fixed-term contract of one (1) year with a possibility of renewal.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated chef to help deliver exceptional cuisine in a refined, high-standard environment. From casual meals to fine dining parties, and VIP guests you’ll create fresh, innovative options while being culturally sensitive and staying ahead of food trends. We are offering an excellent work-life balance (Working hours mostly Sunday to Thursday).

Roles and responsibilities:

- Menu Planning and Coordination

  • Collaborate with the Administration Officer & Events Assistant and COS to HMA to plan menus for official events
  • Accommodate specific dietary needs, including allergies, religious restrictions, and personal preferences
  • Coordinate food preparation in line with the Residence diary to ensure timely service for all events
  • Menus to include freshest and sustainable produce with excess processed for future use
  • Formulate ideas for food items suitable as gifts or for representational use

- Food Preparation & Presentation

  • Prepare and present food to a consistently high standard, suitable for VIP-level guests
  • Offer a wide variety of cuisines to cater to diverse tastes.
  • Experiment with new recipes and suggest innovative dishes and ingredients.
  • Ensure all dishes are within budget and wastage is kept to a minimum

- Kitchen Management

  • Ensure kitchen systems and processes comply with all health and safety regulations (HACCP trained preferred)
  • Maintain kitchen cleanliness and hygiene, including proper chemical storage (COSHH)
  • Be responsible for the organisation of the kitchen, including cooking utensils and equipment, reporting issues to Administration Officer & Events Assistant
  • Conduct regular stock-takes and manage equipment, cleaning and food inventories efficiently
  • Create and maintain a recipe database
  • Develop system for wastage reporting to ensure that all ingredients are fresh and safe to use, and that all wastage is kept to a minimum
  • Shop for food and domestic supplies, selecting high-quality items at the best prices
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure value for money

- Events and Residence Support

  • Coordinate with Residence stewards to ensure timely and appropriate food service
  • Provide support to the Administration Officer & Events Assistant and stewards for daily operations and events
  • Assist with general administration and event preparation as needed
  • Serve drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) behind the bar during events when required
  • Work with external caterers where necessary to ensure they meet Residence standards

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. 

Key Behaviours:

The candidate will need to demonstrate the following behaviours and the values of who we are during the interview:

  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.

Our Values:

The British Embassy Values (Trust, Respect, Integrity and One Team) are important in helping us to deliver for the UK internationally. Wherever we work in the world, we share a set of values that guides our decision-making, sets standards for our behaviour and helps us deliver the UK's national interest internationally.

  • Trust: Be reliable, open, and dependable in our actions and communications.
  • Respect: Acknowledging each other’s skills, opinions, and experiences and honouring each other’s ideas, beliefs, and culture.
  • Integrity: Taking responsibility for our decisions and actions and standing up for what is right, not what is easy.
  • One Team: Being kind, helpful, supportive, open to challenge so that we can all work at our best towards achieving the same goal.

These values are underpinned by the UK Civil Service values (Integrity, Honesty, Objectivity, Impartiality) and complemented by values all One HMG colleagues bring from their own department, service or administration.

  • Proficiency in English both written and spoken with ability to express ideas and messages clearly
  • Proven experience in high-level catering, including VIP and formal events
  • HACCP certification or equivalent to food hygiene training
  • Strong organisational and time management skills
  • Creativity and passion for culinary excellence
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Demonstrate a calm, meticulous, and professional approach to private household service
  • Be flexible and responsive to last-minute changes and requests
  • Respect and support colleagues, fostering a positive team environment
  • Manage workload effectively, using quieter periods to plan and restock where appropriate
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
31 August 2025
Administrative Assistant (AA)
Full-time, Fixed Term
40
12 months
Middle East & North Africa
Oman
Muscat
British Embassy
1
OMR
674.36
monthly
2 November 2025

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:

  • Have (or be willing to obtain) the right to live and work in Oman.
  • The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

Working Conditions and Remuneration:

The Embassy offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for the role, including a non-negotiable salary of OMR 674.36 per month inclusive of all allowances, and use of on-site recreational facilities including a swimming pool and social club. Accommodation is available on site, if required.

This role is for a full-time employment, on a fixed-term basis of one (1) year with a possibility of renewal, subject to 3-month probationary period. Conditioned working hours are 40 hours per week. Working hours for this role are from 0700 to 1500 Sunday to Thursday. Given the nature of the role, flexibility is needed when we have events / VIP dinners and extra hours worked are compensated with time off in lieu.

Holiday entitlement is 30 days per year (on a pro rata basis) following successful completion of a 3-month probation period. Holidays that have already been booked will be honoured. There are also national holidays determined annually by the Embassy, which usually total 14 days per year.

The FCDO offers a comprehensive L&D package via an internal learning platform. Specific L&D opportunities may be available, upon discussion with the Line Manager.

Employment in the advertised position is dependent on the potential employee having or acquiring valid UK security clearance. Security clearances can take several weeks to process. Inability to obtain a clearance will preclude employment. Loss of a security clearance at any time will lead to termination of employment.

How to apply:

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.

Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 2) a motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and 3) examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.

Applications must be submitted before 23:55 Oman local time on 31 August 2025.

Applications submitted after the stated deadline will not be considered. Telephone applications and enquiries will not be accepted.

Internal candidates (i.e., those who are currently employed by the British Embassy Muscat) applying for this position should consider informing their current line manager upon submission of their application. 

Please note that as part of the recruitment process for this role, shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in a practical assessment. This will involve preparing and proposing a costed menu, purchasing where possible sustainable ingredients (for which monies will be provided), and cooking and presenting the dishes. Candidates must be physically present for this stage of the selection process, which will take place in Muscat. Only those who successfully complete the assessment will then be invited to the final interview stage.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two-three months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and with UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidates’ profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks. 

The successful applicant's employment will only be confirmed after the completion of any security clearance/checks. The checks can take several weeks to complete, and the applicant will only be employed if the UK security clearance is granted.

 

The FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The British Embassy Muscat is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.  Staffs recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Muscat Employment 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.