View Vacancy - Chef to British High Commission - A1, Colombo

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)
Cook/Chef

"Note: It is mandatory for all applicants to complete the online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and competency questions. The applications which completed all required fields will only be thoroughly reviewed by us. Forms that are incomplete in any aspect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

Please note that due to Covid-19 outbreak, the start date of employment mentioned in the advert is tentative. All recruitment campaigns will remain open for applications and we will progress with the recruitment process as swiftly as possible.  We will be in touch with you for the interviews/ should there be further updates on the application. However, under the given circumstances, kindly expect some delay in response. Please reach out to SAAD.Recruit@fco.gov.uk, if you have any further questions.

Main purpose of the job:

The Chef is responsible for the design, planning and preparation of food and meals for official events hosted by the British High Commission, British High Commissioner’s Residence, as well as meals for the British High Commissioner.

The Chef is key to the UK’s image, reputation and influence in Sri Lanka.  The British High Commissioner’s Residence aspires to deliver the best High Commission food and drink in Colombo. The Chef is central to this. The job-holder will demonstrate proficiency across a range of culinary skills, with a knowledge of different cuisines (preferably British and Sri Lankan), speciality ingredients, baking and patisserie.

Work as part of a wider Residence and High Commission team to deliver UK objectives in Sri Lanka in line with UK values and best practice, taking part in wider corporate activity.

Roles and responsibilities:

Culinary preparation - 50%

  • Work with the Residence Manager and two Residence staff colleagues to design, plan and coordinate meals in accordance with relevant dietary/nutritional requirements, ingredient themes and financial parameters.
  • Advise on and prepare high standard, well-presented creative menus for internal or external British High Commission events, including receptions, buffets, lunches/dinners, afternoon tea, receptions, silver service meals, etc.
  • Prepare light refreshments for official visitors.
  • Supervise British High Commission and contracted staff on food preparation and kitchen arrangements for events.

Purchasing - 5%

  • Budget and prepare breakdowns of food expenses for meals or events.
  • Ensure appropriate and timely ordering and purchasing of food and other catering-related purchases.
  • Work with the Residence Manager to establish formal relations with the professional catering suppliers for the delivery of catering supplies.
  • Ensure catering is on-budget, represents value for money, and that invoicing and payments are transparent and accountable in line with the High Commission financial systems.

Maintain Inventory - 10%

  • Manage accurate inventory of food consumed, stored in fridges/ freezers, other cooking ingredients etc.
  • Manage up-to-date shopping ledger, cost of meals and submit regularly to Residence Manager.
  • Manage quality of raw food preservation, cooked food preventability and left over food preservation for future use within its shelf life.

Hygiene and Cleanliness - 15%

  • Ensure professional hygiene and health and safety standards in the preparation of meals, management of the kitchen and its equipment, keeping store room clean and orderly and reporting maintenance issues.
  • Plan and implement deep cleaning of the kitchen every two weeks.

Record Keeping - 5%

  • Submit proposed menus and budgets to Residence Manager for consideration.
  • Keep precise inventory of all receipts and log all expenditure.

Domestic Support - 15%

Provide meals for the High Commissioner and family and appropriate domestic support as the Residence’s Cook.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Responsible for managing both official entertainment and domestic budget.  Job-holder may be required to use a corporate credit card, occasionally petty cash and accurately account for expenditure of both.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: English - Fluent; Sinhala and/or Tamil language - conversation level.

Essential on arrival:      

  • Over 5 years of professional experience in cooking continental and European cuisines, pastry and baking, canapés and desserts.
  • Proven ability to cater for a range of events, from small family/official meals to large receptions and events.
  • Ability to plan & execute various meal menus independently.
  • Fluency in English and ability to read menus and recipes in English and execute them in a high standard.
  • Good numeracy and ability to ensure organisation’s policies are followed fairly and consistently.
  • High levels of discretion, with a resilient, flexible and ‘can do’ attitude and ability to work with others within the High Commission and Residence team, be able to share responsibilities equally.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to plan ahead and make a good use of time when Residence is officially quiet.
  • Functional computer skills.
Diploma in culinary studies.
Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace
31 October 2021
Administrative Assistant (AA)
Fixed Term, Full-time
45
24 months
South Asia & Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Colombo
British High Commission
1
LKR
LKR 85,342 + EPF 12% + ETF 3% per month
1 December 2021

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply. The British High Commission can support a work permit application only.

For other than BHC candidates, starting salary will be LKR 85,342 + EPF 12% + ETF 3% per month. Other benefits include 13 month’s salary (pro-rated) and medical insurance coverage.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. 

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system.  The High Commission takes pride in its organisational culture and its strong and diverse team. We offer leave entitlements as per Sri Lankan labour laws.  

We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

Please note that applications will only be considered with (a) and (b):

(a)  Complete the Online Application Form

(b)  Complete the Motivation Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable). They should also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications received by ­­midnight on 31st October 2021 (Sri Lanka Standard Time).  

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines of the British High Commission

  • Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with. However, the status will be updated on the recruitment software which will be viewed by the applicant.
  • The appointment will be subject to police and other checks including references, educational and professional. 
  • We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed.

Other information:

Those who advance in the selection process will be interviewed based on the competencies above.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

NOTE:

  • The British High Commission in Colombo is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
  • Staff recruited locally by The British High Commission in Colombo is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
  • The successful candidate will be subject to reference checking and security clearances checks.
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.