View Vacancy - Head of France Network Estates (FRA21.589)
The British Embassy in Paris is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is also part of the UK’s France Network (including offices in Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseille and representation to international organisations in Paris (OECD and UNESCO) and Strasbourg (CoE)) and is now looking to recruit a Head of France Network Estates.
The France Network has a unique Estate including the historic Residence and Chancery in the heart of Paris, assets which give HMG a competitive advantage in delivering its objectives. We also have a large owned and rented residential estate for HMG’s UKB officers and families.
Our prestigious estate is the foundation for delivering HMG’s objectives in France. As Head of France Network Estates you will be responsible for a strategic focus on our Estate, including our offices, our owned and rented residential properties, the Residence and Gatehouse. This will include oversight and project management of improvements to our Estate, either directly commissioned by Post or being delivered by partners.
Management of the newly refurbished Chancery building, Residence/Gatehouse events (working with policy teams) and management of people in the Post Estates and Residence teams.
You will also provide the Post estates intelligent client function interface between all stakeholders. The Post Holder will be responsible for effective and efficient management and delivery of Health and Safety compliance across the Estate including ensuring Post is discharging its duty of care obligation.
Roles and responsibilities
- Lead on implementing a France Network estates strategy, in alignment with Estates, Security and Network Directorate (ESND) strategy, to ensure we have a Residence, garden, residential properties and office space that work for teams, and are maintained to an appropriately high level. Through the Corporate Services Counsellor, you will be accountable to the Minister/DHM and Ambassador and reporting jointly to Estates Operations;
- Ensure modern, high quality service provision that delivers value for money and meets customer needs across the platform;
- Act as the point of contact/liaison officer with other FCDO stakeholders and Partners Across Government including Estates, Security and Network Directorate;
- Provide clarity and guidance on estates related matters as they arise, ensuring a consistent approach is being taken across the platform in line with the Corporate Services Charter;
- Provide Post policy advice and presentations on Estates Issues and Policies to the Joint Management Board when necessary;
- Work closely with external service providers, including the FCDO Estate Operations teams to ensure high quality delivery of Network requirements;
- Lead the Post Estates, Residence and IT teams, ensuring a high standard of performance and morale;
- Act as the network facilities management/estates Health and Safety champion/advisor and chair the monthly H&S Committee;
- Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction with services provided, including accommodation provision and Residence events;
- Coordinating the management and forecasting of the Post Estates, IT and Residence budgets and ensuring resources are used in line with FCDO guidance to improve our Estate and Residences, leveraging other central/Estate Operations resource as necessary;
- Assist Estate Operations in the development of the 5yr Forward Maintenance Register to drive the Estates investment strategy in France in alignment with Estate Ops maintenance strategy;
- Ensure all Estates reporting and data management is up to date including population of central (ESND) data bases and other Management Information (MI) as required;
- Work closely with other Corporate Teams to delivery a joined up and high standard of delivery and cohesion.
Learning and development opportunities
FCDO International Academy offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. In house L&D in the France Network, including all staff awaydays. There is a strong diversity and inclusion ethos in the Embassy and a range of groups and committees including on Wellbeing, Respect and Gender.
- Full professional proficiency in English, including excellent writing skills* (C1 Level);
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills to be able to build rapport with diverse contacts;
- Highly organised, and able to keep on top of a number of issues simultaneously;
- Performance management experience and people skills;
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills;
- Ability to work under pressure and deal with competing priorities;
- Direct Line Management experience;
- Be able to digest new policies & guidance (e.g. on accommodation) and translate it into what works for the France Network;
- Resilience and maintaining a high standard of performance in the Post Estates and Residence Teams in sometimes challenging circumstances.
- Experience in estates operations and facilities management.
- French skills* (B2 Level)
- Experience of estates or facilities management and project management skills;
- Recognised Health and Safety qualifications or training.
This is a full-time and permanent position.
All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at https://www.cjn.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/b3/eje20 ), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in France are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCDO guidance for Country Based Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.
Your application will only be considered if you follow the guidance below:
- Your application must be sent in English only.
- Your application must clearly indicate all nationalities you hold.
Visa/work permit requirements: candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in France 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 British Diplomatic Missions 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.
Languages: *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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
