View Vacancy - Social Secretary/ Events Officer at the British Ambassador's Residence Dublin IRL22.298

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)
Residence Coordinator

The British Embassy has a vacancy for a full-time Social Secretary/ Events Officer at the British Ambassador's Residence, Glencairn. Glencairn is an historic and elegant venue, which has been the home to British Ambassadors for many years. It supports the work of the British Embassy as a venue for events attended by influential stakeholders from across UK and Irish public life, including politicians, business people, cultural leaders and many others, as well as high profile visiting delegations from the UK.

By delivering high quality events and an excellent standard of service at the British Ambassador’s Residence, the jobholder will thus play a crucial role in the delivery of the British Embassy’s objectives in promoting and strengthening British-Irish relations. The position will involve working closely with the Ambassador and his spouse, and Embassy colleagues, and will be a highly rewarding position with a requirement for creativity, innovative original ideas, excellent organisational skills, flexibility and flair.

This role will be based at the Ambassador’s Residence in Sandyford.

Main tasks and responsibilities

  • Helping to devise, design, plan and deliver innovative, imaginative, elegant and impactful Residence events (including major events, cultural events, dinners and receptions, and smaller-scale breakfast, lunch, and tea events, seminars, workshops and away days) hosted by the Ambassador, working with the Ambassador and his Spouse, Residence Manager, Chef, and supported by Embassy colleagues.
  • Devising and delivering on guest lists to ensure diverse, impactful and interesting guests attend Residence/Embassy events, in support of Embassy objectives, working closely with others, as above, helping to develop the Embassy’s network of contacts.
  • Issuing invitations to functions hosted by the Ambassador and/or his Spouse, following up as necessary, and preparing table plans, flower arrangements, place cards and menus.
  • Being responsible for the budget for Residence events, compiling, forecasting, projecting, monitoring spending, and keeping accurate accounts, consistently ensuring value for money for all events whilst maintaining a high standard, working with the Head of Corporate Services and Deputy Head of Mission.
  • Maintaining and developing effective systems for all events at the Residence, including a comprehensive contacts database, and records of events organised, guest lists, attendee numbers, table plans, menus and entertainment  tailored to the requirements of particular functions, producing statistics as required; maintaining up-to-date guidance on the use of the Residence for Embassy colleagues and external parties; maintaining and ensuring information about the Residence, including its history, is current and relevant, for respective audiences.
  • Working with the Residence Manager and Chef on the purchase of supplies for events according to FCDO procurement guidance, ensuring value for money; working with the whole Residence team to ensure all events comply with FCDO Health & Safety guidance and Covid-19 procedures.
  • Providing and seeking advice on Protocol issues and social procedures (including relating to guest lists).
  • Strong organizational, planning, time management, project management and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience of events planning and management (eg in a diplomatic Residence, Embassy, international standard hotel or similar venue), delivering excellent customer service experience.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engagement with senior stakeholders and strong team player 
  • Ability to plan, manage and deliver successful events, multi-tasking and working calmly under pressure, with a focus on attention to detail
  • Ability to come up with creative, innovative, original ideas and see opportunities
  • Experience in managing financial budgets and resources effectively and liaison with external commercial partners
  • willingness to work flexibly, including in the evenings, and (rarely) at weekends. The Embassy operates a comprehensive flexible working policy and offers Time off in Lieu of additional hours worked to ensure a fair work/life balance
  • Excellent written and spoken English
  • Intermediate level of Microsoft Office (mainly Excel and Word) and familiarity with IT packages for webinars.
  • A qualification in the hospitality, events and/or project management field
  • Health & Safety qualifications
  • Experience in procurement/contract negotiation
  • Knowledge of contemporary Irish society and current affairs
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
2 July 2022
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
41
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Ireland
Dublin
British Embassy
1
EUR
3600.97
1 August 2022

The successful candidate will be subject to a six-month probationary period and will be employed on a fixed-term contract basis for a minimum of 24 months with possibility of extension. The appointment is subject to satisfactory reference and security checks.

All Learning & Development required on FCDO/UK government standards and systems will be provided. The Embassy is committed to a strong Learning and Development culture, and provides opportunities for staff to invest in their personal and professional development. T

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Ireland are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Irish employment law.

Other benefits of this job offer:

  • Membership of Defined Contribution Pension Plan;
  • €1,000 contribution to LAYA Healthcare;
  • 22 days annual leave;
  • Learning and Development opportunities.

Visa/work permit requirements: candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Ireland 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.

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 FCDO 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.