The British Embassy Amman has a vacancy for Handyman, job grade S2, on a fixed term contract for two (2) years.

The Handyman plays a key role in delivering Estates services and will work to the Technical Works Officer (TWO) as part of the Technical Works Group (TWG) to deliver key maintenance and repair services, completing day-to-day tasks to schedule and on time taking pride in a job well done every time. You will undertake the day-to-day maintenance and repair of buildings, fixtures, and fittings which do not require a skilled trade such as (but not limited to): painting and decorating; minor electrical and plumbing works; minor carpentry or metal works; small gardening tasks; or site clearance tasks ahead of build projects; making good, minor repairs or works observed when patrolling compound or Residence, including clearance of rubbish for recycling or collection; clearance of sites ready for skilled trades to work and labouring where necessary. The jobholder is also responsible for keeping records of work done, working as part of a maintenance team, delivering against daily work schedules and tasks, and acting on feedback from customers.

This is a busy, semi-skilled trade role that calls for an experienced, well-organised, self-starter with drive, initiative, and excellent all round maintenance skills. The role requires someone who can deliver customer focussed day-to-day minor maintenance requirements, competent in decision-making, and able to access and influence the right support from their manager and the team.

This is a rewarding role for a candidate interested in testing and improving their established trade skills in a unique environment. You will work to the Embassy’s health, safety, and welfare standards for the benefit of all staff at the Embassy in a ‘zero harm’ culture. You will help reduce the Embassy’s carbon footprint through greater use of renewable energy, reduction in waste and the increase of sustainable practices. This role has been established following a major restructure to the Estates Team and the candidate should be able to manage continued change with a positive attitude. 

Duties and responsibilities:

– Day-to-day minor repairs and works for the Embassy, comprising of Embassy Compound, Ambassador’s Residence, and leased accommodation units in Amman

• To undertake, as directed, a wide variety of ad hoc minor maintenance and repairs to the Estate buildings, grounds, fixtures, and fittings. Ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines and regulations to meet UK Health and Safety standards.
• Ensure daily tasks are completed to standard and on time, including ad hoc maintenance requests. Work to enhance the facilities with any remedial or urgent works identified and tackled. Installing, repairing, upcycling, replacing, or fixing items where a skilled trade is not required.
• Conduct tours and inspections of the compound property and grounds on daily basis and report any observations to the Technical Works Officer (TWO). Take responsibility for keeping compound tidy and free from rubbish. Disposing of items no longer required in accordance with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidelines and green principles of recycle, restore, or sell.
• To undertake painting and decorating, tiling, grouting, and plastering, using good quality materials and appropriate bathroom and window sealants to ensure walls, windows, doors, fixtures, and fittings are repaired, maintained, and fit for purpose.
• Attach items to walls, doors, floors, or ceilings; putting up shelves, notice boards, or small cupboards, pictures, mirrors, towel hooks, curtain rails, or fixings safely and securely using correct power tools, screws, nails, dowels, and raw plugs.
• Replace batteries, light bulbs, or fluids. Check water and diesel fuel levels and report back to Estates Assistant where there are discrepancies.
• Undertake minor carpentry works; assemble flat pack furniture, mend, sand, or polish furniture to prolong life or upcycle. Mend or fix, kitchen or bathroom cupboards. Add handles or hooks to cupboards, walls, or doors. Use appropriate power tools, measuring equipment, and correct fixings.
• Undertake minor metal or glazing works such as weld, cut or fix gates, doors, hinges, or windows. Add handles or minor door or window furnishings.
• Undertake minor plumbing duties. Checking toilet flushing systems and making minor repairs, fix water, or external piping leaks. Advise on how to use the water heating systems in apartments and how to save water.
• Undertake minor gardening duties. Installation of water butts, putting in irrigation pipes or water systems, repairs and maintenance of guttering and rain collection systems. Adding trellis to walls or fences, making repairs to fences or wooden gates. Chopping firewood. Adding garden/ club shades or erecting pergolas and umbrellas. Managing garden/ food waste to create compost. Building raised vegetable or flower beds. Erecting small sheds, greenhouses, or plant holders. Planting up and moving pots. Oversee maintenance and growing conditions of Embassy community garden.
• As part of the Technical Works Group (TWG), deliver on projects which enhance or improve the office and recreational facilities to time and budget set.
• Oversee work of external contractors providing maintenance or works to Estate assets. Ensure adherence to health and safety risk assessments and safe working practices.
• Contribute to the Embassy’s Climate Goals by identifying opportunities that will improve energy efficiency or reduce water, heat, or fossil fuel usage. Actively identify opportunities to recycle materials or reuse items by upcycling and repairing them, contributing to environmental sustainability and potential cost savings.

– Health, safety, and statutory compliance

• Ensure works completed by yourself or external contractors are compliant with health and safety (H&S) regulations and that FCDO guidelines are understood and followed.
• To be responsible for the safe use of a range of portable tools, ladders, and equipment as well as pastes, gels, sealants, and fluids to enable duties of the role to be undertaken.
• Role model the ‘zero harm’ culture at BE Amman by adhering to H&S guidelines, always working safely. Understand when to raise risks higher and seek guidance on best practice.

– Communication and engagement

• Working with the Technical Works Officer to ensure that estate works that affect colleagues are properly planned.
• Keeping customers up to date on progress of projects or maintenance requests and dealing with any complaints or feedback.
• Continuing professional development
• In order to deliver work to the highest standards, keep and maintain a record of continuing professional development (CPD), recording at least 15 hours per year, to include upskilling where agreed. Instil a culture of continuous improvement, customer service, and professionalism.
• Focus on learning and development and being open to developing new skills, experience, and knowledge. Share lessons learned and respond positively to feedback, learning from any mistakes while wanting to improve performance.

– Resources managed

• Necessary power and hand tools and equipment, including any lifting or moving equipment assigned to you, to successfully do your job and keeping these neat, tidy, and in good working order.
• Keep stock of maintenance-related items and components in TWG storeroom neat, tidy, and well organised, ensuring there is sufficient stock held always bearing, stock records and accurate and up to date and keeping in mind value for money and good stock rotation practices.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of Senior Management and agreed with the jobholder. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis. 

Key behaviours required:

• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver excellent customer service taking into account any needs and requirements. Identify any issues arising and work with the team to resolve them. Organise time and activities to deliver a high quality and efficient service.
• Delivering at Pace – Focus on delivering a timely performance with energy and taking responsibility for any actions taken. It is about working to agreed goals and timing and dealing responsibly with setbacks.
• Changing and Improving – Be open to change and suggest ideas for improvements to the way things are done within your role.
• Working Together – Develop effective working relationships with co-workers and teams and be prepared to offer support when needed. Work collaboratively, sharing information and develop responsive relationships with colleagues. Know when to ask for help and to be aware of the wellbeing of yourself and others. Understand that bullying, harassment, and discrimination are unacceptable.

Good interpersonal skills are essential, and you will be comfortable dealing with staff at all levels and be able to build co-operative and productive working relationships with everyone that you meet. The role requires excellent team working skills, including evidence of working collaboratively with multicultural colleagues. As such, a reasonable working level of communication skills in English, both written and oral, is also needed.

In addition, the jobholder will need to role model the Embassy values of:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Objectivity
• Impartiality

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as:

• You have the right to live and work in Jordan; and
• You obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance.

We are looking for a confident self-starter and someone who has the ability to handle multiple maintenance tasks across a range of semi-skilled trades and prioritise with limited supervision. The jobholder will need to be resourceful, resilient, and have a strong track record of working as part of a professional trades or maintenance team.

We are looking for someone with proven experience, ideally from working in a similar estates/ trades customer-facing role, preferably for at least three (3) years, and with relevant certification or references in one or more of the following areas:  maintenance works, refurbishment projects, building works [first and second fix], gardening, waste management, carpentry, welding, glazing, plumbing, tiling, plastering, decorating or minor repair works to facilities, fixtures and fittings.

The jobholder will also need to hold a clean and valid Jordanian driving license with no outstanding penalties or fines and a checkable motoring history.

As with all CS jobs, no two days are the same. The Estate comprises an office building and a compound which includes leisure facilities (swimming pool, gym, tennis/ basketball court, football pitch, children’s play area). A major part of the estate are the leased properties for UK Based staff (around Amman) and a representational Residence for the Ambassador near 4th Circle. The Embassy and associated compound require ongoing and significant maintenance after major investment in infrastructure over the last five years. This brings with it regular and unusual challenges. Being highly organised, being able to work on own initiative and deal with difficult situations, and being confident in understanding and meeting ad-hoc or emergency requests are essential for this role. Having a calm approach and a sense of humour will also help!

Essential:

• Relevant experience in a similar estates / trades customer-facing role, ideally for at least three (3) years.
• Proven experience with relevant certification or references in one or more of the following areas: maintenance works, refurbishment projects, building works [first and second fix], gardening, waste management, carpentry, welding, glazing, plumbing, tiling, plastering, decorating or minor repair works to facilities, fixtures, and fittings.
• Reasonable working level communication skills in English (oral).
• Highly organised and able to work on own initiative, deal with difficult situations, confident in understanding and meeting ad-hoc or emergency requests.
• Excellent team working skills including evidence of working collaboratively with multicultural colleagues.