Residence Manager-Chef (LVA22.608)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Residence and Support Staff)

Job Subcategory Cook/Chef

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of the job: Ensure efficient and effective operation of the Residence, ensuring it remains a distinctive UK diplomatic asset and a welcoming home, while managing high quality events that support Embassy objectives. Providing catering services at the Ambassador’s residence both for official events and privately for the Ambassador and his family.

Roles and responsibilities

Residence Manager: The core role is to ensure smooth running of the Residence both as an efficient and well-represented venue for official events (meals, receptions, meetings, etc) and as a family home, delivering to the highest standards of efficiency, sustainability, accuracy and value for money. Work closely with Ambassador/their spouse and stakeholders, to ensure that the Residence is well maintained, to provide high standard events and services to Ambassador’s guests and visitors and to accommodate official guests. The Residence Manager is also responsible for supervision of Residence staff. The responsibilities include:

Oversight, preparation and delivery of official events and arrangements for official guests. Liaise and coordinate with all involved staff.
Ensure that the Residence and equipment is in an optimal state of maintenance. Identify, report and oversee repairs and maintenance works in the Residence. Liaise with Corporate Services team on required maintenance works, equipment, budgets, etc.
Ensure the Residence and events comply with Health & Safety (H&S) standards, ensure all contractors follow H&S rules, and oversee Residence safety, including emergency evacuation.
In co-operation with Corporate Service Manager, prepare annual budget for Residence, monitor expenditure and manage the work and expenditure according to allocated budgets. Manage accounts.
Responsibility and management of inventories, incl. domestic equipment, furniture, cooking and serving items, linen, silverware, crystal glassware, crockery and china.
Manage suppliers and purchases of stocks and supplies according to procurement guidance and ensuring value for money.
Source and maintain a pool of contractors/casual staff for events. Manage the work of contractors/casual staff within the allocated budgets.
Ensure and oversee effective functioning of the Residence and its services, including the highest standards of presentation, cleanliness, and hygiene at all times.
Maintain up-to-date calendar/diary for Residence events and official guests.
In co-operation with the Corporate Service Manager, prepare and manage the Residence budget, organise the Residence work within the budget.
Line management of one household staff member.

Residence Chef: Ensure the highest standard of food preparation and presentation for Embassy events, functions, and official guests, and the Ambassador and his family, in order to support the delivery of Embassy’s objectives and facilitate the diplomatic work. The responsibilities include:

Developing innovative, value for money meal menus and preparing and presenting food for a wide range of business hospitality events ranging from seated or buffet breakfasts, lunches, dinners, afternoon teas, cocktails, receptions and special events, as well as for Residence occupants and official guests, accommodating wide range of day-to-day requirements, within budget.
Liaise with event hosts, and plan for event menus and specific food requirements of event guests (allergies, restrictions, cultural & religious preferences).
Maintain a pool of suppliers and manage purchases of food, stocks and kitchen supplies according to event plan, procurement guidance, within budget and ensuring value for money.
Source and maintain a pool of external caterers. Involve/manage external caterers as required, ensuring they understand and follow the specifics and requirements of the Residence.
Lead and manage the operation of Residence kitchen, ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene of kitchens and equipment at all times. Ensure that all food preparation areas and all utensils are kept clean and abide by all food safety regulations and best practice.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• At least 2 years of cooking/catering experience, preferably in diplomatic residence or reputable events, hospitality, catering business.
• Ability to develop high standard menus and prepare and present food.
• Good interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work effectively without supervision and the ability to work within a team.
• Flexibility to work early or late hours, and occasional weekends, in support of events scheduled in the Residence.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Understanding of etiquette and protocol.
• English (conversation level and up).
• Knowledge of health and safety in the workplace and /or managing external contacts and financial resources.
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Driving licence.

Required behaviours: Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together

Application deadline :30 November 2022
Grade :Administrative Officer (AO)
Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week :40
Region: Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Country/Territory: Latvia
Location (City): Riga
Type of Post: British Embassy
Number of vacancies :1
Salary Currency: EUR
Salary: EUR 1433.17 gross / month
Start Date: 2 January 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time, permanent position. Working time is 40 hours per week (gross).

Embassy provides all its employees the following benefits:

Two additional annual leave days on top of those mandated by law;
A combination of Latvian and UK public holidays - 14 working days-off per year;
Comprehensive Health Insurance that among others also includes dental care and sports.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Riga are subject to terms and conditions of service that are in line with the employment laws in Latvia.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Latvia and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Additional information

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.