Main purpose of the role:

Oversee facilities operations in Brasília, working closely with the Head of Estates and other FCDO teams to ensure the effective management of estates services, maintenance, health and safety, projects, technical reports, reactive works, preventive maintenance, arrivals and departures, procurement, furnishings, maintenance staff and contractors.

The role requires strong organisation, flexibility, responsiveness, customer focus, sound judgement and commitment to diversity and inclusion at work. The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package, including generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements and learning and development opportunities.

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to have proficiency in English as the working language of the British Embassy is English.

Main roles and responsibilities:

• Oversee health and safety matters in Brasília, ensuring compliance with FCDO requirements, UK standards where applicable and local legislation.
• Ensure Value for Money (VFM) is continually sought and achieved with all suppliers, contractors and maintenance purchases. 
• Monitor and forecast maintenance budgets and estates-related expenditure for Brasília, identifying budget pressures, risks and opportunities to improve planning and service delivery.
• Lead and line manage the Brasília Estates team, ensuring clear priorities, effective delegation, timely resolution of issues, SMART objectives, regular performance conversations and completion of appraisals in line with FCDO policy.
• Maintain effective communication with stakeholders, providing regular written and verbal updates on estates projects, maintenance issues, service requests, risks and progress against agreed actions.
• Plan, coordinate and oversee day-to-day facilities operations in Brasília, ensuring that office buildings, official residences, compounds and related infrastructure are safe, compliant, well maintained and fit for purpose.
• Lead the planning, delivery and monitoring of preventive and corrective maintenance activities, ensuring that works are completed safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.
• Manage facilities-related contracts and suppliers, including scope definition, procurement support, performance monitoring, service quality review, cost control and escalation of poor performance where required.
• Support the Head of Estates with the development, implementation and monitoring of estate projects, including technical specifications, project plans, risk assessments, budget forecasts and progress reports.
• Ensure accurate records are maintained for inspections, maintenance requests, contractor performance, technical reports, compliance checks, budgets, purchase requests and completed works.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal customers and external contractors, providing clear communication, timely updates and practical solutions for facilities issues, incidents and operational requirements.
• Support wider Corporate Services priorities when required, including cover during absences, operational peaks and cross-team activities.
• This job description may be adjusted if operational requirements change.

Resources managed:

• Line management responsibilities for 2 x AO staff

Essential on arrival: 

• Qualified or equivalent experience as a Civil or electrical engineer (or other relevant profession e.g. architect)
• Proven experience in facilities management, building maintenance, construction works and technical services. 
• Experience managing contracts, suppliers and service providers. 
• Knowledge of health and safety standards, building compliance and operational risk management. 
• Ability to plan, prioritise and monitor preventive and corrective maintenance. 
• Experience in financial control, budget forecasting, cost analysis and delivering Value for Money. 
• Experience leading technical and operational teams. 
• Basic to intermediate technical knowledge of electrical systems, plumbing, air conditioning, civil works and building infrastructure. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Portuguese, particularly for reports, suppliers and senior management. 
• Ability to produce reports, monitor KPIs and maintain organised technical and administrative records.
• Attention to detail, customer service focus and the ability to understand the wider operational impact of facilities decisions. 
• Ability to handle urgent demands, incidents, emergencies and multiple stakeholders.

Language requirements: 

Language:  English and Portuguese 

Level of language required:  Proficient English and Portuguese (spoken and written).