Main purpose of job:

We are recruiting an HEO Corporate Services Manager to lead the British Embassy N’Djamena’s Corporate Services team. The successful applicant will be able to deliver consistently at pace, have excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills, strong leadership capabilities and an ability to deliver consistently across a broad range of corporate services responsibilities.

This is a key role that combines strategic oversight with hands-on management of estates, staff, budgets, and contracts, as well as the need to deliver through a team comprising 4 people – 2 of whom will be directly line managed, as per the current organisational set up.

This role involves significant engagement with internal teams, particularly with Estates, Security and Technical colleagues elsewhere in the region and in the UK, and with external stakeholders such as Estates contractors and corporate businesses.

The successful applicant will provide leadership, direction and management both of the Corporate Services Team and of the Embassy’s contractors, while maintaining excellent customer service and full compliance with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) policies and Health & Safety standards. They will report to the Deputy Head of Mission.

We are looking for someone with experience in corporate delivery, who has previously undertaken roles where they have had to engage internally and externally to coordinate, pro-actively drive and deliver results. The role requires the ability to deliver at pace, manage competing priorities concurrently across a broad range of corporate activities and be able to quickly reprioritise as urgent needs arise. The jobholder will also need to understand how Corporate Services impacts on all areas of operations. Experience of managing a team, and fluency in English and French is essential.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Lead on and pro-actively drive the delivery of high-quality corporate services across the Mission, ensuring effective prioritisation and implementation of work. Set the tone and direction for the Corporate Services Team (CST), and support senior managers in the running of the Embassy’s operations. ·
• Lead the CST relationship, and develop / maintain strong working relationships, with our Facilities Management contractor, and with other contractors and stakeholders. Provide robust contract management, to ensure excellent and consistent delivery.
• Ensure all CST activity, including procurement and contract management, meets FCDO and UK government rules and standards, particularly on value for money, transparency, security, and health and safety. Monitoring, record-keeping and reporting on all CST and contractor activity.
• Long-term planning to ensure the reliable provision of corporate services, including monitoring / managing the delivery of preventative maintenance by our Facilities Management contractor, and working proactively to anticipate and prevent issues from arising. Proactively working to quickly resolve any issues which do arise, to minimise impact on the Mission’s operations, security and budget.
• Work closely with the Deputy Head of Mission (DHM) (who will be the jobholder’s line manager), Regional Technical Lead (RTL), Regional Technical Works Supervisor (RTWS) and Regional Security Advisor (RSA) to horizon-scan and to identify key issues and improve service provision. Escalating issues and concerns with these colleagues as required.
• Provide robust management to the CST ensuring: workloads are managed effectively; inclusivity, mutual respect and a supportive atmosphere are championed; the team are encouraged and able to access the relevant learning and development opportunities for their own and the team’s development.
• Lead on estates asset system (Planon), running regular reports to ensure accuracy of data.
• Support the Finance Manager to ensure delivery of high-quality financial management, planning and fraud prevention.
• Membership of BE N’Djamena’s governance committees including Post Leadership Committee, Post Security Committee, Health & Safety Committee.
• Responsible for CST’s contribution to the development and delivery of BE N’Djamena’s Country Business Plan.
• Provide Post-level support for recruitment processes and other HR related matters.

Resources managed:

Oversight of Embassy’s annual budget allocation, of approx. £899,133 Per annum.

Direct reports: 1x EO Finance Manager; 1x EO Post Security Manager. Reporting officer for 2 x drivers (who are managed by the PSM).

• At least five years’ management experience, ideally responsible for a team providing services.
• Experience of delivering corporate services / facilities management.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and French.
• Strong contract management, and organisational skills and the confidence and ability to deal with difficult and complex situations, liaise with a range of stakeholders, and manage the Embassy’s external contractors.
• A team player who thrives on working with, and delivering through, colleagues, and who treats them with respect, regardless of background or grade, and who proactively participates in wider team activities and planning.

Language requirements:

Language: English, French

Level of language required: Expert