View Vacancy – Residence Manager /Community Liaison Officer A2 (01/21 BMK)

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy Bamako is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic, and consular interests overseas.

You will run the official residence of the British Ambassador to Mali in Bamako to a high standard, working closely with the Ambassador and members of the Embassy team.

To oversee the Residence and manage events at the Residence, and on occasion elsewhere.

Responsible for any Residence income and expenditure.

You will also be the Embassy Community Liaison Officer. This will involve the preparation of residential accommodation for new staff joining the Embassy, and provide them with an introduction to living in Bamako (transport, social life, leisure, shopping).

Roles and responsibilities:

To lead, manage and oversee the work of the household team of 4 or 5. To act as the principal interface with, manage external contractors, and contracted staff. To oversee and manage events at the Residence, and on occasion elsewhere, working with other teams across the embassy and with external users. To be responsible for Residence income and expenditure. To plan for new arrivals and departures of UK staff, and support existing staff in accessing life support in Bamako, aiding their integration into the city and the diplomatic community.

The Residence team’s duties include supporting all official entertainment; all meal and other catering planning, preparation, cooking and service; cleaning and laundry; preparing for and looking after guests; stock controls; some basic administration tasks.

• Manage the day to day functioning of the Residence to a high standard of efficiency and professionalism, displaying British Excellence to all visitors.
• Create a welcoming, presentable, neat and safe environment for the Ambassador, his/her family, staff and visitors;
• Complete periodic inventories, monitor supplies and manage Residence stocks of alcohol, food and other goods, keeping accurate and up to date records;
• Maintain accurate records of Residence activity and residence assets, valuables and furnishings;
• Manage the team of 4-5 staff at the Residence (chef, housekeeper).
• Organize and co-ordinate all aspects of the Ambassador’s hosted events to a high level of professionalism, creativity and value for money, working effectively with Corporate services team.
• Overseeing Caterers for large events, Hiring and supervising of extra staff, and hospitality of guests.
• Work with the Residence chef to ensure high quality, modern foods and drink menus are designed for a variety of events.
• Run an account for Residence shopping (food, drinks, flowers, extra staff etc), accounting for all expenditure, costing each event individually by following the FCO finance guidance.
• Supervision of the physical housekeeping and cleaning of the residence by ensuring the residence is kept clean and tidy at all times.
• Process improvement: collection of feedback and suggestion of new processes and methods.
• Management, reporting and supervision of routine house maintenance projects through the Embassy’s Maintenance Team. Working with the maintenance team and PA/HC on procurement of furniture, fittings and equipment. Maintaining Health and safety records for the residence.
• Support implementation of plans to reduce Health and Safety risks
• To prepare residential accommodation for incoming international staff and visitors, working alongside the Embassy Corporate Services Team.

Resources managed:

• The jobholder will be expected to manage 4 to 5 residence staff.

• Proven staff management and delivering through a team.
• Computer – good knowledge of using outlook for emails and well conversant using the internet.
• Prior work experience in Hotel / Catering / Hospitality industries.