View Vacancy - Residence Manager and Social Secretary (BEL21.286)

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 (Policy & Political roles)
UKDEL (UK Delegation to NATO)

The United Kingdom’s Joint Delegation to NATO (UKDEL) is the vital link between the UK Government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Its principal roles are to promote British interests in NATO and to keep UK Ministers and Government Departments informed about NATO discussions. It is now looking for a  Social Secretary and Residence Manager to the British Ambassador to NATO working within the British Diplomatic Residence and the UK Delegation to NATO.

As Residence Manager and Social Secretary, you will run the day-to-day operation of the Residence of the British Ambassador to NATO to a high standard and ensuring it is well kept at all times.  Lead on ensuring smooth delivery of all arrangements, including set up and catering for official events.  You will be a confident and calm colleague who can work independently (or in a small team when required) in, at times, a high profile, fast paced environment. Flexible even under pressure and discreet at all times.

 Roles and responsibilities

Social Secretary

  • Organise the Ambassador’s entertainment schedule.
  • Liaison with the Ambassador’s Private Office and external caterers as required, to ensure smooth delivery of official events hosted at the Residence and other locations;
  • Lead on  the planning and execution of all required events with Allies and other departments;
  • Liaise with Ducale residence on all UKDEL events held therein;
  • Manage invitations to guests, arrange menu printing, name cards and seating plans;
  • Lead on  event set-up and breakdown for events at the residence or in the delegation;
  • Assist with simple catering tasks, serving refreshments and support events held elsewhere as well as supporting events held elsewhere;
  • Meet and greet houseguests, including official overnight guests;
  • Be available at short notice, including occasional evenings and weekends;
  • Observe Health & Safety and Security guidance to provide a compliant, safe, hygienic, working environment avoiding accidents or security breaches;

Residence Manager

  • Administer the Residence, including stock control, procurement, inventories, database upkeep for management reporting purposes, basic book-keeping and accounting records, ensuring efficiency, accuracy and delivering value for money;
  • Manage the Residence imprest and petty cash;
  • Supervise the cleaner to ensure they provide a high standard of housekeeping service throughout the Residence. Ensure best use of available resources by organising and coordinating the cleaner’s work schedule according to the needs and requirements of the Ambassador and/or the UKDel when hosting official events, up to 3 times a week, at the Residence;
  • Manage the laundry and dry cleaning service for the Residence (personal and official) in liaison with the UK Missions’ shared platform team where necessary;
  • Report maintenance jobs, and liaise with the Facilities Management support team to provide contractor access to the Residence;
  • Prepare simple meals for the Ambassador when not entertaining officially;
  • Occasional light cleaning duties when absolutely necessary.

Carry out any other ad-hoc duties in accordance with the needs of the operation.  Support Private Office in the delegation including deputising for colleagues and support to Communications team when required

 

 

 

 

  • Full professional proficiency in English, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
  • Experience in a private residence or hotel setting;
  • Confident, discreet, adaptable self-starter able to work effectively without supervision;
  • Ability to demonstrate high standards, effective prioritisation, and a strong attention to detail;
  • Ability to multitask and demonstrate adaptability;
  • Flexibility in terms of working hours and duties – be prepared to work additional hours in support of events hosted by the Mission; including occasional evenings and weekends;
  • Willing to take on new responsibilities when necessary;
  • Good interpersonal skills: be someone who can negotiate effectively and deliver under pressure, whilst treating others with respect;
  • Ability and willingness to undertake manual tasks;
  • Basic cooking and food preparation skills;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • IT and multimedia skills (basic computing skills, excel etc.);
  • Full professional proficiency in French, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
  • Good knowledge of wines would be an advantage.
6 August 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term
36.25
9 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
UK Joint Delegation to NATO, Brussels
British Embassy
1
EUR
3486.19
6 September 2021

This is a full-time and fixed-term contract of 9 months for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week. The monthly gross salary for this position is € 3486.19, A2(L) level. In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes a 13th month, luncheon vouchers, pension scheme, optional hospitalisation insurance (subject to monthly employee contribution), reimbursement of public transport and a lot more. We offer more days of annual leave than the Belgian requirements.


Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.


Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.


The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.


Passport: officers are expected to be in possession of a passport due to the possibility that they may be asked to undertake business travel.


Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Belgium 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 be advised 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 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.