View Vacancy - Chef, Grade – S1, Dhaka

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Cook/Chef

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’

Main Purpose:

The main purpose of the job is to prepare and present a wide range of appropriate high-quality food to a high standard, suitable for providing excellent hospitality to the High Commissioner’s guests at formal dinners, receptions and other hosted events. The jobholder is required to shop as necessary for food, maintain the kitchen and its equipment to a high state of cleanliness and ensure that excellent hygiene procedures are followed at all times. The Chef run the High Commission Residence kitchen in coordination with the Residence Manager and the Residence Supervisor.  S/he should have the ability to work with minimum supervision and guidance.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

To run the High Commission Residence kitchen in coordination with the Residence Manager and the Residence Supervisor.

  • Liaise closely with Residence Manager and Residence Supervisor to stay updated on different types of events and functions, such as receptions and dinners for small to large group upto 150 guests.
  • Work with the team to come up with detailed menus showcasing best of UK during events and VIP visits.
  • Develop standard recipes for food preparation and presentation.
  • Ensure maintenance problems are promptly reported.
  • Assist with regular stock takes as and when required.
  • Establish controls to minimize food and supply waste.

To prepare meals and menus of local and international dishes to the highest standard.

  • Responsible for cooking and preparing first class dishes for functions at the Residence as well as High Commissioner’s personal meals.
  • Must develop a keen awareness of High Commissioner’s needs as well as her particular likes and dislikes as far as food is concerned.
  • Standout as a flagship service catering within the diplomatic community.
  • Constantly update knowledge and skills for the good of the organisation.
  • Ensure that a proper menu book is created for the Residence.
  • Ensure portion control and pleasing presentation of dishes.
  • Ensure menus are constantly updated and regular trials are held, paying special attention to seasonal availability.

To maintain the highest standards of food handling, preparation and storage, kitchen cleanliness and hygiene and value for money.

  • Keep records of menus and recipes produced for the events and maintain dietary requirements for the regular guests.
  • Ensure all statutory hygiene requirements are diligently followed.
  • Evaluate food products to ensure quality standards are consistently attained.
  • Ensure that the stocks are maintained properly.
  • Job Holder must proactively suggest ways to use up stocks when planning the menu for functions.
  • Ensure that the food preparation is economical and within budgeted goals.
  • Supports safe working habits and environment.
  • Build organisation and functionality in kitchen operation. Monitor kitchen hygiene and sanitation practices as well as follow kitchen safety standards. Study the FCDO Health & Safety guidance and apply it in practice, creating and carrying out weekly/monthly cleaning schedules.

Responsibility for shopping and for maintaining full and accurate, and up to date kitchen financial accounts for High Commissioner’s personal grocery.

  • Ensure menu is planned well in advance and ahead of the events and approved by Line Manager
  • Ensure that the shopping and groceries based on the menu plans are done in a systematic and timely manner.
  • Responsible for updating and maintaining finance registers for personal purchases for High Commissioner

Personal Learning and Development

  • Be prepared to go through training programs related with the job.
  • Should be enthusiastic and motivated to learn new things.

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team in BHC Dhaka. We invite the best diverse talent to join the British High Commission, and we are committed to work collaboratively and ensuring that all of our staff are able to deliver to the best of their abilities. We’re committed to supporting staff aspirations and goals, including providing chef training where possible and appropriate. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • Responsible for updating and maintaining finance registers for personal purchases.
  • Ensure all documents are passed on to the High Commissioner or their Partner in a timely manner for processing.
  • The Chef will be responsible for - High Commissioner’s personal grocery and shopping.
  • Though the Chef is not expected to the shopping for the official events on a regular basis, at times the Residence Manager may ask the Chef to do shopping for official events.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Good.

  • Ability to read fluently from menu books in English, understand and prepare meals.
  • Ability to read manuals and understand technical instructions for using electrical and kitchen equipment's.
  • Ability to understand and speak in English.

A language test will be administered during the time of interview.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed): The British High Commission prides itself on supporting all our employees to develop themselves and their careers. Specific training will be provided for this role, but plenty of wider learning and development opportunities will be available for the successful candidate.

Working patterns:

The job is 45 hrs per week excluding lunch break.

All staff must work in a shift system/rotation basis based on the requirement of the role. 

Essential on arrival:

  • Need to have knowledge on European and Continental dishes including Starters, Cocktail Items, Buffet Dishes, Plated Dishes and Desserts
  • Ability to work with minimum supervision and guidance
  • Ability to follow directions, take feedback positively and treat co-workers and Line Manager with respect and courtesy.
  • Any professional cookery qualifications and training courses completed
  • Any health and safety course completed on food safety

IT Skills: Basic computer (MS Word, Outlook) skills to complete electronic documents.

Education: Minimum requirement is Secondary School Certificate (SSC).

Desirable:

  • Experience working in an international organization or diplomatic mission.
  • Minimum 3 year of experience working as a chef in the hospitality industry.
Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
16 October 2023
S1
Full-time, Permanent
45
South Asia & Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Dhaka
British High Commission
1
BDT 53,421 per month
monthly
1 November 2023

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Country Based Staff Terms & Conditions will apply.

The salary will be all inclusive of BDT 53,421 per month.

The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package, including salary, benefits, a leave entitlement, Health Insurance and relevant L&D opportunities.

Please note - Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

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

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.

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

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

Note: "All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the behavioural based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

To Apply: 

Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.

  1. Complete the Online Application Form
  2. Complete the Experience, Behaviour and Technical/ Professional skills-based questions segment in the Online Application Form 

Internal candidates applying for this position need to inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 16th October 2023, till 23:55 hrs (Dhaka time)

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for 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. Basis the scores, the candidate/s who did not score as highly as the successful candidate, might be placed on the reserve list. If during the reserve period of 6 months, the same or largely similar role becomes available, the role may be offered to the second or subsequent appointable candidates.

The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

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.