View Vacancy - DXB - Residence Assistant (S1)

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

The British Embassy Dubai is part of a worldwide network, representing British Political, Economic, Commercial and Consular interests overseas.

The Embassy currently has a vacancy for a dynamic, hardworking and trustworthy professional to join the Embassy as a Residence Assistant for the Consul Generals (CG) Residence, job grade S1, on a fixed term contract for two (2) years.

As the first point of contact for all visitors to the Residence you will be responsible for meeting and greeting guests on arrival, including VVIPs and senior Government officials, and providing them with a world class guest experience.  You will need to ensure guest comfort at all times and support to the Consul General and to smooth operation of the Residence. 

The jobholder will work closely with the Events and Residence Officer and the Consul General in maintaining all aspects of the Residence, supporting official entertaining, cleaning duties and other household tasks as assigned.  

This is a great opportunity for a self-motivated and trustworthy person to join a friendly, professional and welcoming team at the British Embassy in support of diplomatic work. We are an inclusive employer and actively support equality of opportunity at work and have an excellent programme of learning and development.  

If you love working as part of a team, are motivated to work in a unique and fast-paced environment and take pride in maintaining a household to a very high standard, we encourage you to apply. 

Duties and responsibilities:

Visitor and Guest Services

  • Meeting and welcoming guests on arrival, including VVIPs and senior Government officials.
  • Providing concierge and assistance for guests and visitors.
  • Providing table and bar services as required.
  • Co-ordinating arrangements for all official visitors staying at the Residence.
  • Ensuring the comfort of all guests and visitors including briefing guests on arrival.

 Event Support and Delivery

  • Planning the layout and setting tables for small functions. Designing and creating table decorations and household flower and decorative arrangements.
  • Serving meals and drinks, clearing away and washing dishes.
  • Preparing and serving meals, snacks and beverages for the Consul General, official guests, private guests and family members. Larger events (20 pax and above) will be delivered through a third party caterer.
  • Ensuring that additional staff and contractors maintain safety standards while working at the Residence.
  • Advising the Events Officer when wine/beer/spirit orders are required. Ordering soft drinks and receiving delivery.
  • Assisting other Embassy staff when requested; including function preparation and cleaning up afterwards; actively embracing a team culture.

 Housekeeping and Laundry

  • Ensuring a high standard of cleanliness throughout the Residence.
  • Ensuring that the entrance of residence is clean and presentable at all times including sweeping and washing.
  • Cleaning private areas and guest suites of Official Residence and other areas as directed by Events Officer and the Consul General to a consistent high standard.
  • Daily cleaning of kitchen including countertops and floors.
  • Dusting and polishing furniture. Vacuuming and polishing floors. Cleaning bathrooms.
  • Cleaning silverware, antiques and works of art.
  • Preparing guest bedrooms and bathrooms as required
  • Washing and ironing laundry to a high standard.
  • Keeping linen cupboards tidy and that linen and towels are ready for guest bedrooms and bathrooms as required and ensure that table linen is ready for Residence functions.

Maintenance & Safety

  • Reporting maintenance issues to the Events and Residence Officer.
  • Daily running of all taps and showers and flushing of all toilets.
  • Responsibility for daily checking of all appliances and preventative maintenance of such.
  • Checking A/C units and light bulbs are working
  • Escorting external service staff and contractors when they are on the property

General Administration

  • Ensure that all financial transactions are tracked and recorded on the financial management system in a timely manner for internal audit purposes.
  • Attending residence and all staff meetings and events.
  • Assisting the Events Officer with ad hoc tasks and projects.
  • Documenting the monthly inventory of beverages, first aid and emergency supplies.
  • Upkeep of first aid kit.
  • Responsibility for stock, equipment, flatware etc.
  • Purchasing consumables for the Residence as required.

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 required:

  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

 

  • At least two (2) years of experience in housekeeping, events delivery, business hospitality and hosting senior guests.
  • Fluent in English, both verbal and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
  • Ability to provide a hands on service delivery.
  • Strong customer focus. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with all stakeholders. Able to show discretion in handling any sensitive matters, with the trust of all involved.
  • Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to plan, and prioritise tasks and workload.
  • Resourcefulness in solving problems and demonstrates good judgement and a calm manner.
  • Ability to multi-task and to respond quickly and flexibly to meet the demands of a varied work schedule and multiple and changing priorities.
  • Ability to cook and serve western meals, snacks and beverages for up to 20 people.
  • IT literate and well versed in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Able to support flexible working hours / days of week to meet the business needs.
  • Previous relevant working experience in an international standard hotel, diplomatic residence or equivalent.
  • Knowledge of First Aid.
  • Recognised food safety certificate/ qualification.
Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
3 July 2024
S1
Full-time, Fixed Term
40
24 months
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Dubai
British Embassy Office
1
AED
5,659
monthly
1 August 2024

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, which includes 25 days of leave per annum (calculated pro-rata)

The salary for this role is AED 5,659 per month. This position is a ‘live in’ position only, accommodation will be provided.

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The Embassy is open from Monday to Friday from 0700 to 1800 hrs.  The Employee’s normal weekly working hours are forty (40) Monday to Friday (inclusive). This is inclusive of one-hour paid rest break for each five (5) hours worked; the timing of the rest break shall be approved by the Employee’s Line Manager and in accordance with operational requirements.

This role will require the successful candidate to adopt a flexible approach to work and will include evening and weekend working due to the nature of the role.

The Embassy has an active Learning and Development Committee, and the whole of Post is committed to providing the time and resources for staff to develop personally and professionally. The 70/20/10 learning and development model is applied in a flexible manner, with extensive informal and formal opportunities readily available. 

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

 

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include to their online application form:

  1. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);
  2. A covering letter/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.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 UAE local time on 03 July 2024

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Internal candidates (i.e., those employed by the British Embassies in Abu Dhabi & Dubai) applying for this position are advised to inform their current line managers upon submission of their application.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two to 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 candidate's 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.

Due to the large number of applications, we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.

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

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

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 Dubai is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

 

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.