View Vacancy - Part-Time Events and Residence Manager – Bridgetown, Barbados

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

Main purpose of job

Working directly to the office of the High Commissioner, to manage, organise, plan for and review the British High Commissioner’s business hospitality and official entertainment, acting as social secretary.  This role is also responsible for the management of  Residence staff to ensure the house is well run and maintained.

Roles and responsibilities

Management of the High Commissioner’s Business Hospitality and Official Entertainment

Working in conjunction with British High Commission staff and as a key member of the High Commissioner’s office, you will act as lead social secretary in the planning and execution of  a wide range of events designed to engage a myriad of internal and external stakeholders. Events may include receptions, round table discussions, meetings, seminars, lunches, dinners (alongside the appropriate catering) and will be held at the official Residence, “Ben Mar”. Events management and execution will also include budget management and reporting (planning, profiling, authorising and accounting for spend);  liaison with guests, external providers or agents;  menu planning; invites and RSVP management;  agreeing guest lists and place cards; and stock control and management of official wine stocks, food supplies etc,  working in close conjunction with the Residence staff. In addition you will be required  to work with the HC and DHC to spot opportunities and develop creative events to showcase Great Britain and support delivery of the British High Commission’s Country Business Plan.

Facilitation of events

You will  oversee the setting up and preparation for functions at the Residence and attend these events, unless agreed otherwise, to manage delivery and ensure all is running smoothly. On occasion you will be required to act as the greeter, ensuring guests are warmly welcomed to Ben Mar.

Management of the Residence staff team

You will  lead a team of 5 staff (chef, butler, housekeeper, two gardeners) in support of delivering the best use of the official Residence to further HMG objectives.  You will be required to conduct regular performance management discussions, feedback and support, as well as annual formal appraisals to ensure residence staff are clear on their objectives and what is expected of them.   You will also coordinate uniform orders and transport to and from the office for official meeting and events.

Property management of the Residence

You will work closely with the  Corporate Services team at the BHC - overseeing the property as a whole, cataloguing inventory, monitoring décor and maintenance and requesting works where needed, arranging payment of bills and works -  to ensure the property is well maintained and managed and functions effectively as an official Residence and place of work.

Liaison and Communication

As part of the office of the High Commissioner, you will  build and maintain good relationships with all internal and external colleagues, supporting the use of the Residence as a place of work as appropriate while ensuring it still functions as a family home. 

Other Activities 

You may be asked to assist Chancery colleagues and other BHC departments as required, including assisting with any BHC response to a crisis event (e.g. hurricanes).  Where resources and time allows you will be encouraged to actively take part in relevant BHC committees.

Resources managed:

Line Management of the Residence Assistant, Chef, Housekeeper and Gardeners (two).

Drinks inventory, Residence Equipment inventories (house and garden).

Essential on arrival

  • CAPE / A ' level, (CXC Maths & English essential)
  • Intermediate IT competence (Including all Microsoft Office Word and Excel)
  • Minimum of 2 years experience in Event planning

Language requirements

Language: English

Level of language required:  An excellent command of the English language is essential 

Desirable

  • Health & Safety Certification        
  • Food Hygiene Certification
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
28 June 2022
Administrative Officer (AO)
Part-Time, Permanent
20
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Barbados
Bridgetown
British High Commission
1
BD$3234
8 August 2022

Must have the legal status to live and work in Barbados.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. 

Learning and development opportunities:

  • Health & Safety for Managers
  • Induction
  • Manual Handling
  • Government Data Protection Regulations
  • Safeguarding

This role is open to anyone with status to work and reside in Barbados. The role will involve close collaboration with internal & external departments and stakeholders so excellent interpersonal skills are essential, as are strong people management  and stakeholder communication and engagement skills. Project management and budget accounting experience are essential as all administrative and event related duties need to be recorded, , delivered to a high standard, in a timely manner and to an agreed budget. The successful candidate must be detail conscious, have a strong work ethic, be delivery focused, demonstrate initiative, apply common sense and be able to manage a small team with minimal supervision. The highest level of personal integrity, honesty, confidentiality, reliability and professionalism is essential for this role.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and an enriching learning and development opportunities.     

  • The period of probation for this role in 6 months, though the British High Commission reserves the right to extend this in order to fairly assess performance.
  • A full induction and coaching will be arranged for the successful applicant.
  • The annual starting salary for this part time position is BD$38,806.
  • A comprehensive mandatory pension plan is offered after successful completion of the probation period. Subject to plan provider approval, group medical coverage is offered after the first month of service.
  • This is a part time position at 20 hours per week to be worked flexibly. Core office hours are 7.45am-4pm, Monday -Thursday and 8am-1pm on Fridays.
  • Annual leave entitlement is 16 days rising to 20 days after one year of service. A combination of up to 14 UK and local public holiday days are also observed.

Working patterns: 

The ability to work flexibly is essential as the role requires working outside of office hours and weekends on a regular basis. 

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.