View Vacancy - Residence Manager British Ambassador's Residence Dublin (IRL21.326)

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 Dublin is seeking to appoint a Residence Manager for the British Ambassador’s Residence, Glencairn House. Glencairn is an historic and elegant venue, which has been home to British Ambassadors for over 60 years. It supports the work of the British Embassy, furthering UK government interests and policy objectives in Ireland, building and maintaining a network of senior and influential contacts. This includes events involving top Irish politicians, business people, cultural leaders and others, and Royal and other VIP visits, and accommodation for official visitors. Residence Manager is a key role.

The primary responsibility of the role is to ensure the Residence and its grounds are maintained to the highest possible standard, and the services it provides to the Ambassador’s guests and visitors serve as a showcase for British excellence. The successful candidate will lead a small but highly capable team, and work closely with the Ambassador, Ambassador’s spouse, Events Manager, Chef, and other Embassy colleagues, including the security, finance and estates management teams. This is a rewarding position that requires excellent inter-personal and organisational skills, great team work and strong customer focus.

The Embassy is an inclusive employer, committed to diversity, learning and development.  We value difference, promote respect and equality and have a zero tolerance approach to bully, harrassment and discrimination. 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, wherever operational and security needs allow.

Main duties and responsibilities

  • Ensure the smooth running of the Glencairn Residence as a venue for official events (meals, receptions, meetings, etc) and as a family home, ensuring efficiency, accuracy and delivering value for money.
  • Dining room and pantry duties, including management of the cellar and maintaining inventories of silverware, glassware, crockery, linen, Government Art Collection, furniture, and domestic equipment inventories (in conjunction with our Facilities Management team).
  • Logistical set up for official events at the Ambassador’s Residence and at the Embassy, in consulation with the Ambassador and his spouse, Events Manager, other Embassy event leads, and Chef, including for formal dining, including, for example, hiring equipment (eg marquee, audio visual, lighting, heating) in compliance with FCDO Health and Safety guidance, and hiring casual event staff, who work under the Residence Manager’s supervision including set-up, silver service, and post-event clear up and cleaning.
  • Manage a team of permanent residence staff (2 x domestic) and casual event staff, providing support and guidance as necessary.
  • Ensure that all staff are adequately and regularly trained to undertake their duties, monitor their performance, leave, sick leave and TOIL arrangements, and ensure that annual appraisals are completed on time and to prescribed standards, and keep up-to-date records of all casual staff used.
  • Promote good forward planning of staff resources, particularly during quiet periods at the Residence.
  • In conjunction with the Events Manager, ensure the Residence and all events comply with Health and Safety rules, the latest Covid guidance, and wider Embassy guidance, including working with outside companies and individuals to ensure they fully understand and comply with such rules and guidance
  • Provide a warm welcome to all callers, house guests and official visitors, eg those attending functions.
  • Serve drinks and meals, including leading/supervising waiting staff at larger occasions (dinners, receptions).
  • Co-ordinate arrangements for official visitors and VIPs staying at Glencairn ensuring that rooms are prepared for overnight guests, ensuring the highest levels of service.
  • In consultation with the Ambassador and his spouse, plan table arrangements (including flowers) and layout for functions.
  • Ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and presentation at all times, complying with hygiene and Health and Safety standards. Valet duties for HMA and guests as required.
  • Identify and report repair work, oversee repairs and maintenance jobs for the Residence and grounds, and liaise with the Facilities Management team, Corporate Services, and the Ambassador/his spouse to ensure contractor access to the Residence at convenient times.
  • Purchase supplies for events according to FCDO procurement guidance, and purchase and manage stocks for the Residence (eg cleaning items, fuel, pantry stocks), ensuring value for money. Ensure stocks and supplies are regularly reviewed, and supervise deliveries.
  • Account for pre-approved credit card expenditure in a timely manner.
  • Manage relevant accounts and purchasing for the Residence, including supplier liaison, quote management, etc, and monitor Residence expenditure.
  • Maintain the daily Residence calendar (eg visits by contractors and others).
  • Liaise with the Embassy’s Security Officers, Garda, etc, to ensure the utmost security of the Residence and grounds is maintained at all times, and monitor and record all visits (visitors, contractors, etc).
  • Undertake other duties that may reasonably be required and which are in accordance with the grading and core competencies of the job.
  • Carry out any other ad-hoc duties in accordance with the needs of the Residence. 
  • Full professional proficiency in English, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken)
  • Experience in running and working in a private residence, diplomatic residence, or hotel setting, including silver service, with a strong customer focus and focus on excellence.
  • Confident, discreet, trustworthy, adaptable self-starter able to work effectively without supervision
  • Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills: someone who can negotiate effectively (including with external stakeholders) and deliver under pressure, always treating others with respect
  • Proven people management skills, capable of leading a team
  • Ability and desire to demonstrate high standards, proactivity, effective prioritisation, and a strong attention to detail
  • Ability and desire to multi-task and demonstrate adaptability
  • Flexibility in terms of working hours and duties – be prepared to work additional hours in support of events hosted by the Ambassador and Embassy, including evenings and occasional weekends
  • Willing to take on new responsibilities when necessary
  • Ability and willingness to undertake manual tasks, if required
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, including understanding the importance of consulting and informing others
  • Experience in managing financial budgets and resources effectively
  • Full clean driving licence
  • IT and multimedia skills (basic computing skills, 
  • Good knowledge of wines would be an advantage
3 November 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
41
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Ireland
Dublin
British Embassy
1
EUR
€3,600.97
1 January 2022

This is a full-time position on a 2-year fixed-term contract with possibility of extension, 41 hours gross per week.

Depending on Covid-19 guidance, there will likely be a requirement to undertake some travel in Ireland and in the UK. The successful candidate will also be required, on occasion, to work outside normal office hours.

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:

  • Continued membership of Defined Contribution Pension Plan;
  • Continued contribution to LAYA Healthcare;
  • 22 days annual leave pro rata.

 

All L&D 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. The Comms digital network in particular has a strong L&D offering with frequent opportunities to upskill.

 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.