The British Embassy in Cairo is looking to recruit a Deputy Head of Corporate Services, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), on a fixed term contract of one (1) year (renewable).

The Deputy Head of Corporate Services is responsible for Policy, Service Delivery and Operations and Compliance in respect of Estates, the Residence Operation, Contracts and Procurement and Human Resources ensuring they are aligned with central policy requirements.

The jobholder will require excellent management, interpersonal and communication skills, tact, discretion and an ability to deliver consistently across a broad range of responsibilities. The jobholder will be required to show an understanding for sensitivity in handling embassy and wider relationships.

We are looking for a skilled manager who can inspire, guide and motivate a team to achieve results, whilst fostering a collaborative, supportive and positive working environment whilst adhering to embassy protocols, standards and values.

The jobholder will work with the Head to Corporate Services to agree and deliver a professional Corporate Services offer including setting and monitoring strategy, policy and service levels.

They will be expected to actively build and deepen relationships with key stakeholders internally within regional and global hubs and with external partners at other diplomatic missions, government departments, key contacts and suppliers.

They must be able to foster a culture of continuous improvement within their team leading on specific corporate projects and change management and be able to provide advice to senior managers on complex corporate issues.

The jobholder will have to engage, analyse and report on developments in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Corporate Servies Policy, highlighting opportunities to the Head of Corporate Services

Roles and responsibilities:

Estates

• Leadership of the Estates Teams and on local Estates Strategy. Set priorities to ensure the current Estate is complaint with UK Health and Safety regulations and that FCDO guidelines are understood and followed. Monitor the Management Assurance Process in relation to Estates.
• Set direction and oversight of significant Estates budget ensuring it is profiled and monitored and spent in accordance with estates priorities.
• Work with colleagues at post and in the UK and the region to tackle the challenges of implementing UK Estates policies and expectations within Cairo and on an aging Estate in a challenging resource environment.
• Chair the Health and Safety Committee ensure that action is taken to address issues. Provide briefings to the One HMG Leadership Board about Post’s exposure to liability and risk recommending remedial action where appropriate.
• Set strategy and policy on UK staff accommodation units and work with Head of Corporate Services, Estates Team, FCDO ESND and Housing Committee on allocation. Provide direction on complex cases stepping in where needed e.g. with landlord and local authorities.
• Participate in Planning for the future of the Estate as the operating environment evolves.
• Develop a set of performance targets for estates and ensure quarterly reporting.

Procurement and Contract Management

• Further develop Embassy Procurement Polices and processes in line with FCDO guidelines and best practice and oversee compliance including in relation to the Management Assurance Process and Audit.
• Develop an Embassy-wide approach to contract management in line with FCDO guidelines. Oversee its implementation ensuring estates and other contracts deliver improved value for money and quality of services. Ensure contracts have sound KPIs and deliver against the agreed set of statement requirements and rectify any areas of under-performance.
• Plan and deliver workshops on Procurement and Contract Management to build capability, encourage peer to peer learning and ensure consistency across the Embassy

Human Resources

• Oversight of HR and Transport Operations and Policies
• Lead on a new People Strategy and oversee implementation
• Ensure an updated offer for Country Based Staff (CBS) including on terms and conditions, pay and benefits and performance management in compliance with local labour law. Lead on resolving complex labour law issues and supporting on challenging HR cases escalated by the HR Manager
• Work with HR Manager to design new policies and approaches to and support communication and capability building
• Act as first direct liaison point for staff associations and committees. Participate in the People Committee
• Oversee updates of the Post Report and Induction pack

Ambassador’s Residence

• Oversight of the operation of the Ambassador’s Residence and compliance with Procurement and FCDO finance and Estates rules and best practice including seeking value for money. Ensure policies relating to inventories and high value items and stores are implemented.

Crisis/ Emergency Planning

• The Deputy Head of Corporate Services must be aware of and be involved in any Post contingency and evacuation planning and response

Cover

• The jobholder will deputise for the G7 UKB Management Counsellor when required

Resources managed

• Line management of four (4) Executive Officers, and oversight of Estates, Residence and Transport Teams

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs.

Key behaviours required for the role:

• Leadership – Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.

• Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Finance, Procurement relevant field, or other equivalent qualifications
• Proven track record in management indicating ability to lead a large and diverse team. The job holder’s Team operates in a range of roles at different levels. This brings with it natural challenges and opportunities.
• Excellent communication skills. Being able to deliver new policies and procedures across your Team and across a mission of 140 staff in a variety of ways which meets the individual needs of each and treats everyone with fairness and respect.
• Resilience to work in a dynamic environment often with competing priorities.
• A proactive and strategic approach to work and a focus on continuous improvement, with an appetite to work with others to simplify processes and improve efficiency, using the latest tools and technologies available to you.
• A good networker. Being able to build and manage an internal and external network to deliver is essential.
• Proven line management experience.
• Fluent in written and verbal English and Arabic language
• Strong IT skills; good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as Microsoft Word.
• Approachable, open, flexible and enthusiastic.