“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 of job:

Driver for the British Defence Adviser (DA) and Defence Section, and provision of wider logistic / administrative support to the Defence Section.

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

Undertake routine (daily) driving tasking in support of Defence Adviser’s commitments or other Defence related taskings as detailed by the Defence Adviser. This can include:

• DA travel to and from work, conferences, office calls and Defence Engagement events.
• Movement of visiting personnel, military guests, Government colleagues or other authorised personnel.
• Provision of vehicle support to support wider Defence activity / administration such as recce of venues, banking, collection and delivery of goods.

Plan routes ensuring consideration of time, traffic, weather, road conditions, brief Defence Adviser and recce locations in advance if required.

Ensure compliance with all MOD vehicle use documentation (training will be given).

Comply with drivers’ hours regulations.

Undertake daily and weekly vehicle checks for safety and serviceability.

Manage routine maintenance of the Defence vehicle including fault reporting, ordering of all spares parts and liaison with servicing companies / repair facilities to ensure vehicle availability.

Ensure all vehicle official servicing records, insurance records and other documentation are maintained in an accurate and timely manner.

Ensure cleanliness (inside and out) of vehicle for official public taskings.

Manage Microsoft Outlook diary for driving taskings (training can be provided but electronic diary will be used) and use email for communication.

Maintain the Defence section equipment inventory.

Official Defence Vehicle:

• Travel authorisation and usage records.
• Maintenance schedules.
• Spare parts and ancillary equipment.

Language requirements: Must be able to clearly communicate in languages listed below.  Must be able to read English.

Language: English and Sinhala (Tamil also highly desirable).

Level of language required: Sinhala fluent / English good spoken and able to read.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• Must be willing and able to travel overseas for UK training course if required.
• Will be required to undertake First Aid training.
• Vehicle specific operating training – including vehicle recovery.
• Will be required to undertake annual mandated FCDO employee training.

Working patterns: 

• Full time – standard is 48 hours per week. Daily work starts at 0730.
• Job is not suitable for flexible working.
• Role requires frequent working outside of routine hours, and at weekends.
• Role will require periods of absence from home location when driving Defence Adviser / Defence personnel to activities across Sri Lanka.
• Overtime will be paid up to maximum of 20 hours per month.

Essential on arrival:

• Previous employment in personal, VIP, government or Defence mission driving role – cars and domestic vehicles, not only heavy goods.
• Minimum 5 years driving experience.
• Experience of driving throughout Sri Lanka.
• Basic IT Skills (Microsoft Outlook training can be provided).
• Able to use Google Maps for route planning.
• Academic qualifications to at least GCE Ordinary Level.
• Physically able to meet driving requirements including night driving and emergency maintenance such as wheel changing of 4 x 4 vehicle.