The British Embassy in Rabat invites applications for the position of Residence Manager, job grade Executive Officer (EO).

The Residence Manager will be responsible for the smooth and efficient running of the Ambassador’s Residence, maximising the use of the official hospitality space for great events of all sizes, providing a great service to official visitors using the guest bedrooms, and maintaining the residence

The Residence Manager will manage the Residence team including chef and housekeepers and will be the main point of contact between the Residence and Embassy colleagues, liaising on event management, security, maintenance, and with the Ambassador’s private office.

Duties and responsibilities:

Residence Management (75%)

• Manage the day-to-day functioning of the Residence to the highest levels of service at all times, in keeping with UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidelines.
• Ensure the Residence is always ready to offer a welcoming, efficient and professional service to visitors and guests, and a comfortable home environment for the Ambassador.
• Oversee arrangements for all official events at different scales. These could include formal dinners or evening drinks receptions, large or small, and will need to be well run and elegant, providing a great experience for our guests. The role will include guest list management, invitations and RSVPs, advising on menus and ensuring the correct supply of food and drink as needed, welcoming guests to the Residence, bringing in additional contract staff as needed. Maintain an accurate forward plan of upcoming events
• Ensure the maintenance of the Residence – working with the Embassy estates team to make work requests for necessary maintenance; ensuring facilities are well maintained and serviced; implementation of health and safety guidance; and liaison with contractors carrying out works at the Residence to ensure work is completed on time and to a high standard.
• Manage and motivate the Residence team including routine performance management, absence planning, involving them in Embassy events.

Residence Procurement (25%)

• Be accountable for financial systems, including managing Residence accounts in accordance with standard procedures; understanding and predicting Residence costs and ensuring adequate future provision is made for them in financial planning. Ensure good value for money in all purchases and sourcing of new suppliers
• Procurement for the Residence (Estates & Maintenance, Furniture, Uniforms, etc.), working with colleagues as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records of Residence activity and assets (including inventory of stocks residence property, government art and furnishings).
• Manage the Residence budget in accordance with FCDO standards and run an account for Residence shopping (food, drinks, flowers etc.), accounting for all expenditure in line with auditors’ requirements.

Resources Managed

Line management for 3 x residence housekeepers and the residence chef.

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 the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key behaviours required for the job:

• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.

• Confident and clear communicator and fluent in English and French both verbal and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely and adapt communication so others can understand.
• Proven experience in a customer-facing role, meeting the needs of a wide range of customers.
• Excellent staff management and communication skills.
• Problem solving initiative, with a creative, innovative and flexible mind-set.
• Experience of managing a budget.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to get results, and ability to deal with all members of an organisation.
• Ability to multitask and prioritise duties.
• Strong attention to detail.
• IT literate, and well versed in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and other common IT software to improve team communication and delivery.