Main purpose of job:

This role sits within Corporate Services, supporting the delivery of health, safety and compliance activity that underpins the effective and safe operation of the British High Commission. The team provides essential corporate functions, enabling colleagues to work safely, compliantly and in line with FCDO policies and governance requirements. The postholder will work closely with Corporate Services colleagues, and contractors to support day to day compliance activity. The role will involve maintaining records, tracking actions, coordinating routine checks and providing practical support to the Corporate Services Manager to help them meet their governance, assurance and audit obligations. A key element of the role is operational compliance support, including delegated responsibility for Fire Safety. This includes supporting fire safety arrangements, maintaining documentation and logs, coordinating fire drills and training records, and helping ensure that fire risk assessment actions are followed up and evidenced. 

The role contributes to the FCDO’s wider objectives by supporting good governance, risk management and duty of care for staff, visitors and contractors. By helping ensure that policies, procedures and controls are applied consistently, the postholder supports business continuity, resilience and the safe delivery of departmental priorities.
The jobholder will be supported by their line manager and more senior colleagues and will have access to learning and development opportunities, including health and safety and fire safety training, to build knowledge and capability over time. This role offers the opportunity to develop experience in corporate compliance, assurance and operational risk management within a supportive team environment.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Compliance (Corporate Services) 50%
  • Develop, implement and maintain compliance policies, procedures and systems in line with FCDO standards and local legislation.
  • Lead on internal compliance audits, including health and safety assurance, property compliance checks, and gap analysis for newly acquired or leased properties.
  • Maintain accurate compliance records, logs and trackers and to support assurance, audits and inspections.
  • Monitor adherence to High Commission policies and statutory requirements, reporting non-compliance recommending corrective actions.
  • Act as a first point of contact for routine compliance queries, escalating non-compliance or emerging risks to the appropriate manager.
  • Coordinate/support the preparation of assurance returns such as the Management Assurance Process (MAP), and other reports when required. Create ongoing improvement action plans for inefficient Key Controls.
  • Help embed a culture of good governance and accountability through consistent Application of procedures.
  • Maintain and coordinate the Corporate Services Risk Register, acting as the team’s risk lead to ensure risks are recorded, monitored, regularly reviewed and appropriately escalated.
    

• Health and Safety (EO level) 35%
  • Coordinate the development and implementation of health and safety policies and procedures within Corporate Services.
  • Conduct regular risk assessments, inspections, and audits across High Commission premised and operations and support completion of appropriate documentation, ensuring records are complete and up to date.
  • Log incidents, near misses and hazards, and track follow up actions to completion.
  • Provide administrative and coordination support for inspections, audits and assurance activity.
  • Monitor contractor compliance with health and safety requirements, ensuring contractors adhere to relevant policies, procedures and safe systems of work, and escalating any non compliance or risks identified.
  • Organise and lead quarterly Health and Safety Committee meetings, ensuring timely completion of agreed actions.
  • Ensure staff awareness and training in health and safety legislation, codes of practice, and best practices.

• Fire Safety (Delegated Responsibility) 15%

         Under the direction of the Corporate Services Manager the postholder will:

• • Support delivery of fire safety arrangements, in line with the Fire Safety Code.
  • Help maintain the Fire Emergency Plan, ensuring it is accessible and current.
  • Assist with scheduling and follow up of fire risk assessments, tracking actions and evidence.
  • Support the organisation of fire drills and evacuation exercises, recording outcomes and lessons learned.
  • Coordinate fire safety training records, including induction and refresher training.
  • Maintain the fire safety file, ensuring logs, inspection records and training documentation are complete and audit ready.
  • Liaise with facilities management providers and contractors to support routine fire safety checks.

Essential on arrival:

• Experience in an administrative, operational or compliance support role.
• Ability to manage records, logs and routine compliance processes.
• Clear communication skills and confidence escalating issues appropriately.
• Working experience of health and safety or fire safety processes.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow procedures and apply guidance consistently.
• Confidence in working with colleagues and contractors to support safe working practices.
• Willingness to learn and develop knowledge of health and fire safety requirements.

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Level of language required: Expert