British High Commission
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
/*generated inline style */
Corporate Services Support
/*generated inline style */
Main purpose of job:
Deputy Head of our Corporate Services Team (CST) in the UK’s Australia Network, role blends leadership with operational delivery and resource management.
The Australia Network consists of five posts – the British High Commission in Canberra, as well as Consulates-General in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. The successful candidate will play a key part in providing a successful platform for operations across the network, underpinning the work of approximately 150 staff to deliver our priorities whilst also working closely with colleagues in both the UK and in our regional hubs in the Indo-Pacific.
The role requires expertise and experience in corporate services and/or operational delivery. The successful candidate should have excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and decision-making skills. They will need to develop a good understanding of compliance and legal requirements, both from the UK and in Australia.
They will report to and work closely with the Director of Corporate Services and be the deputy for the Australia Network. Together they will ensure excellent operational delivery of services across finance, IT, estates, procurement, health and safety, logistics and protocol, and HR.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?
Strategic Planning, Leadership and Management
- Provide advice to local leadership and partners on the platform, horizon scanning to enable proactive resource and activity planning; informed by whole team’s objectives, and by strong teamwork with colleagues in CST and across the network.
- Stand in for the Director in leading, managing and representing CST in the absence of the Director, including in making decisions on behalf of the Director.
- Provide guidance and act as an escalation point on sensitive matters for staff, including management issues and dispute resolution, engaging with regional Hubs, Country Based Staff Association and the legal counsel if necessary.
- Team management (c12 people) plus Facility Management (FM) provider team oversight.
- Ensure cross training within CST roles to provide resilience within the team.
- Work with the Director to plan long term resource and development needs and to ensure wellbeing and engagement are maintained within CST.
- Support the Director in strategic leadership, decision-making and planning of the corporate agenda.
Operational Delivery
- Manage and drive corporate delivery by working closely with the regional Hubs in: Finance, HR, Procurement, and others.
- Ensure policies are aligned to global and local requirements and understood by all partners on the platform.
- Direct management of CST initiatives and issues, together with the regional Hubs and Country Based Staff Association, ensuring that UK and local standards are met through planned and reactive management; and in compliance with corporate procedures, including local and UK regulations and policy.
- Instil a continuous improvement mentality within CST and Australia Network, leading on corporate projects and the change management required to deliver them.
- Work closely with various committees and initiatives.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Approx 12 staff / £3m Budget
/*generated inline style */
- Experience (at least three years) in leading a team at middle management level
- Strong interpersonal, decision making and relationship building skills
- Good budget management (planning, forecast and implementing)
Language requirements:
Language: English
Level of language required: Fluent
/*generated inline style */
- Experience managing suppliers and outsourced service delivery.
- Experience working for international organisation or government agency.
/*generated inline style */
Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Managing a Quality Service
/*generated inline style */
10 January 2025
/*generated inline style */
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
/*generated inline style */
Full-time, Permanent
/*generated inline style */
38
/*generated inline style */
Asia Pacific
/*generated inline style */
Australia
/*generated inline style */
Canberra
/*generated inline style */
British High Commission
/*generated inline style */
1
/*generated inline style */
AUD
/*generated inline style */
Gross $128,597 per annum (+11.5 (raising to 12% Jul 25) superannuation)
/*generated inline style */
yearly
/*generated inline style */
3 March 2025
/*generated inline style */
Salary is at AU$ 128,597 per annum (paid out monthly), plus 11.5% superannuation and annual leave loading.
Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.
Open to Australian citizens, partners/dependents of UK-based diplomatic staff currently posted in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, US passport holders with local permit/right to work in Australia.
The successful applicant must be capable of achieving SC(O) level clearance.
Staff recruited locally by the British Consulate General and its Consulates is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Australian employment law. Interstate applicants will be required to meet their own travel and relocation expenses.
The British Government supports flexible working practices for all employees. Within the Australia Network of posts, employees are supported by the Flexible Working Policy. Any flexible working arrangement is to be agreed between the line manager and successful candidate.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the FCO Diplomatic Academy.
There are opportunities to job-shadow other staff, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in broader British Consulate General activities.
The British Consulate General is committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.
Working Patterns:
Full time employment (38 hrs), with occasional out of working hours events and travel.
The British High Commission supports flexible and remote working for all its employees. A flexible working culture is encouraged by senior leadership however please note, remote working may not be suitable for all roles or business areas. Any flexible and / or remote working arrangement should be agreed with the employee’s line manager.
/*generated inline style */
The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.’
Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”
Applications must include a current CV. Kindly omit any personal information such as name, birthdate, address and contact #.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.
Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks which cover disability, faith and belief, gender equality, social mobility, age, race, LGBT+, and how to be an ally.
/*generated inline style */
/*generated inline style */
To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
To help us track our recruitment effort, please specify on the application/indicate in your cover letter where (nearmejobs.eu) you saw this job posting.