View Vacancy - Head of Corporate Services
The British Embassy in Algiers is seeking a Head of Corporate Services to lead our friendly, busy and dynamic Corporate Services Team.
The Embassy is looking for an experienced manager and an innovative, energetic, self-starter, who thrives on challenge, has the drive and resilience to see a job through, and sets and observes high standards of customer service.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the team deliver effective finance, local human resources (HR) matters, procurement, protocol and estate services to the Embassy. S/he will serve as a key member of the Embassy leadership team and have regular contact with staff across the Embassy as well as working closely with stakeholders in London and regional HR and Finance hubs.
The successful candidate will directly line manage four members of staff and will oversight £1.4m embassy budget. You will require strong organisational and management skills and demonstrate an ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Direct and manage a team of 12 staff promoting first class customer service and innovation to deliver an efficient and professional operation.
- Ensure high quality service provision to around 100 Embassy staff, responding to customer feedback to deliver service improvements.
- Oversee the Embassy’s financial and resource planning and budgeting, including regular forecasting and monitoring of the budget.
- Ensure compliance with British Foreign Ministry financial processes and achieve value for money.
- Ensure that the Embassy Estate – office, Residence and staff accommodation and grounds - are well managed and maintained and meet health and safety standards, including relating to Covid-19.
- Deliver top quality procurement of goods and services.
- Oversee engagement with the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a range of protocol matters.
- The jobholder may occasionally be required to travel overseas.
The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy emergency planning and any response to a crisis.
Key competencies required:
- Leading and Communicating - Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.
- Delivering Value for Money - Involves the efficient, effective and economic use of taxpayers’ money in the delivery of public services. It means seeking out and implementing solutions which achieve the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay.
- Changing and Improving - People who are effective in this area are responsive, innovative and seek out opportunities to create effective change. It’s about being open to change, suggesting ideas for improvements to the way things are done, and working in ‘smarter’, more focused ways.
- Making Effective Decisions - Effectiveness in this area is about being objective; using sound judgment, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice. It means showing clarity of thought, setting priorities, analysing and using evidence to evaluate options before arriving at well-reasoned justifiable decisions.
- Fluent level of English. Ability to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
- A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to engage and influence at all levels internally and with external stakeholders.
- Minimum 3 years in a similar role, including managing budgets and HR provision.
- Strong customer service skills. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with all stakeholders. Able to show discretion in handling any sensitive matters, with the trust of all involved.
- A university degree or equivalent vocational experience.
- Minimum 3 years in personnel and resource management experience with a large national or international organisation.
- The ability to work under pressure and within tight deadlines.
- Strong IT skills and good working knowledge of MS Office programmes and be able to adapt to other systems.
- Ability to analyse complex data and the capability to make decisions based on that analysis.
- Unimpeachable personal integrity.
- Experience of Oracle systems is an advantage.
- Knowledge of local labour law.
- French or Arabic would be an advantage.
Remuneration, working hours and other benefits:
The Embassy offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for the role, including a gross salary of 243,830.00 DZD per month including allowances; 25 days paid leave annually along with up to 14 days paid public holidays. This is for a full-time employment, on permanent contract.
Conditioned working hours are 37.5 hours per week. Normal working hours are 08:00 – 15:30 Sunday to Thursday. Some working from home is an option, and may be required subject to Covid-19 restrictions. Out of hours work will occasionally be necessary, time off in lieu will be given.
The British Embassy aims to be a highly-inclusive place to work, celebrating a workforce with both diversity of thought and background. To help achieve this, the Embassy takes a values-based approach to leadership and people management, and has a zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.
The British Embassy offers a good working environment in a modern, purpose-built office, as well as use of the Embassy’s recreational facilities, pool, gym and tennis courts, after working hours.
The British Embassy is committed to learning and development. You’ll have the opportunity to access a range of courses and on the job training, including around performance management and financial management.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have the legal right to work in Algeria.
Application Process:
Interested candidates must attach the following documents in English along with their online application form:
- A covering letter.
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
**Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in the cover letter or in the Motivation section of the application form. Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 11 October 2020.
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Process:
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.
Due to the large amount of applications the Embassy receives, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
The British Embassy Algiers is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
