Auh - Residence Housekeeper/coordinator - Ao

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for a Residence Housekeeper/Coordinator on a fixed term contract of three (3) years.

This is an important role, managing the smooth running of the Embassy Residence and the hosting of official events and senior and Ministerial visits to the Residence on behalf of His Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA). A high performing Residence is at the heart of the Embassy’s diplomatic outreach in the United Arab Emirates and the Residence Housekeeper/Co-ordinator will work closely with the British Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission (DHM), Chief of Staff and HMA’s executive office, as well as Political and Corporate Services Teams to achieve this. The jobholder will also manage a direct Residence Team of one (1) person and associated budgets to ensure an excellent standard of business hospitality that also represents value for money.

**Duties and responsibilities**:

- To support the planning and hosting of, high quality Residence events and visits
- To ensure that the Residence is clean and well maintained, well presented and fit for purpose and that any Residence Guests are checked in, provided with safe clean and organized accommodation within the Residence Premises to the standards required. This will include hands on cleaning, laundry, cooking and service duties.
- To oversee the Residence team, ensuring that they are happy, high performing and delivering at pace. Also working with the Corporate Services Team to provide proactive updates on any maintenance or additional cleaning requirements for any event or day to day running of the Residence,
- To maintain and update financial management systems, tracking expenditure, raising revenue, and conducting procurement in line with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) requirements, training for this will be provided

**Specific duties and responsibilities include**:
**Residence events and visits**
- Support planning for events in conjunction with the UAE Events Teams.
- Provide support to both internal and external contacts to help them plan their events, agree and meet expectations.
- Work with the Chief of Staff’s and Events Team, to produce and maintain, off the shelf, event guides to include menus, drinks lists, suggested themes, formal or informal, maximum numbers across breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
- Support the organisation, preparation and hands on delivery of official functions and events to a high standard.
- Accommodate and assist with Ministerial/VIP visits to the Residence, ensuring an excellent standard of service and swiftly resolving any challenges.
- Meet and Welcome visitors/guests.
- Support the Embassy in planning and delivery of income generating (IG) events in line with Embassy priorities to meet the Post income target.
- Supplier management and contractor oversight (e.g., for Food & Beverage, Catering, Laundry etc.)
- Prepare and serve meals, snacks and beverages for the Ambassador, Family and Guests. Larger events (20 pax and above) will be delivered through a third party caterer.

**Residence maintenance**
- Work with the UAE Estates team to improve systems for the maintenance of the Residence, including cleaning protocols, décor, and gardens.
- Ensure all lighting, electrical outlets, AC, plumbing and landscaping requirements are checked and ready before any event and any faults reported in good time to be resolved before any event.
- Ensure basic Residence facilities are functioning as required (A/C and water misting systems, IT, telephones, plumbing, etc.), reporting any issues
- Oversee the maintenance of the Residence and residence inventory,
- Ensure a high standard of cleaning and laundry services are delivered and be hands on in delivering these services.
- Liaise with Director of Corporate Services (DCS) and the Estates Manager to plan and deliver maintenance, renovation, and refurbishing work as necessary.

**Team leadership**
- Day to day line management of the Residence Staff (1) or any other support staff utilized for occasions when additional manpower may be utilized.
- Monitor and supervise other teams who provide support to the Residence, holding them to agreed deliverables and timelines, and that they have the support they need from the Residence to get their work done.
- Perform all line management functions to a high standard (including appraisals, performance management, investment in learning and development).

**Financial management**
- Follow financial management systems to ensure that the Residence is accurately tracking business hospitality and representational expenditure, and that it has the necessary financial information required for internal audit purposes.
- Maintain effective monthly budget forecasts and events record management. Use this information to provide accurate monthly recharging and invoicing of event costs to the relevant sections of the Embassy (Defence, Trade, Political, etc.) and/ or exte