View Vacancy – Diplomatic Mission Driver (CHEG25.102)

The UK Mission to the WTO, UN and other international organisations (Geneva) is part of a worldwide network, representing the United Kingdom’s political, economic and consular interests overseas.

The UK Mission is now recruiting a highly motivated and skilled Diplomatic Mission Driver to provide a high standard of transport and logistics support to the UK Mission. Core duties include driving, providing administrative assistance and security responsibilities to the Mission.
 

The role of Diplomatic Mission Driver is essential to the UK Mission’s operations.  The successful candidate will work within the Security, Transport and Logistics Team to transport the UK Permanent Representative (and, where appropriate, others in the Senior Leadership Team), to and from their engagements across the city of Geneva and beyond.  The Mission relies heavily on the Diplomatic Mission Drivers for their expertise, professionalism, deep understanding of the local area, and the invaluable wider support they provide to the smooth operation of the UK Mission.

This is a busy role which operates on a rotating shift pattern with the other members of the driving team, and may require additional out-of-hours, public holiday and weekend driving duties, which will be compensated.

The role will at times include driving of senior visitors from the UK, including VIPs (previous Diplomatic Mission Drivers have been responsible for driving UK Ministers and members of the Royal Family). 

The role also includes additional responsibilities in the area of logistics, including management of the UK Mission’s fleet of vehicles.

Roles and responsibilities:

General driving duties

• Provide a safe and secure transportation service to the UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva.
• Provide safe and secure transportation services to other Diplomatic and VIP officials, when directed by the Transport Manager, Deputy Head of Mission or Ambassador.
• Adhere to all traffic laws while ensuring that customers are delivered to the right place at right time.
• Maintain a valid and clean driving license (manual transmission) and an impeccable driving record.
• Conduct sufficient planning of routes and destinations, and participate in logistical preparations, ahead of official visits and events.
• Maintain excellent knowledge of the Geneva area and good knowledge of the Vaud canton, including international institutions, transportation hubs and hotels, travel routes and parking locations.

Care of vehicles

• Ensure that all Mission owned and rented motor vehicles are kept clean and serviceable inside and out.
• Ensure that all the vehicles are always presentable.
• Ensure that all Mission owned bicycles are kept clean and serviceable.
• Conduct a daily check of all vehicles’ tyre pressure, hydraulic fluid, oil, battery level, lights and fuel.
• Identify and address any vehicle defects as early as possible to keep any potential risk to a minimal level.
• Ensure vehicle maintenance, servicing and insurance renewal is done as necessary.

Administrative duties

• Maintain accurate and detailed records in the Driver Logbook of all journeys undertaken.
• Maintain accurate and detailed daily vehicle check records.
• Utilise information and communication technologies and software (including Microsoft Office suite) for individual, transport and vehicle administration (including data entry, internet research, email and smartphones).

Other duties

• Within the driver shift, handling the timely delivery and dispatch of Unaccompanied Diplomatic Bags, distribution of mail, collection of official documents from external venues, and other tasks as directed or agreed by the Transport Manager, Head of Corporate Services, Deputy Head of Mission or Ambassador.
• Perform other duties as assigned or agreed by the aforementioned staff.
• Provide critical logistics support to the Mission during a crisis.

General/Behaviours

• Work in full compliance with the Mission’s Transport Policy and make the Transport Manager aware of all relevant issues, concerns and risks.
• Comply with all other Mission policies and security procedures.
• Remain flexible with working hours (shift working and occasional out-of-hours work, including weekends) and be able and willing to work on occasion at very short notice.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service and communication skills both with colleagues  within the Security, Transport and Logistics Team, across the Mission more broadly, and with contacts outside of the Mission, modelling at all times the values of the UK Mission and the UK Civil Service.
• Work in a productive and professional manner within the Security, Transport and Logistics Team, and other Mission staff, and be a good team player.
• As a visible representative of the UK Mission, maintain a professional attire and appearance at all times
• Communicate confidently in English and French with staff and stakeholders.
• The successful applicant will need to meet the necessary standards to hold and maintain a valid UK security clearance.

• Written and spoken fluency in English and French (at a minimum of B2 level, but C1 is preferred) according to CEFR*;

• Valid drivers license with no endorsements (manual transmission);

• Previous experience of professional driving on behalf of an organisation or in a similar role;

• Advanced driving skills;

• Excellent knowledge of Swiss driving laws and regulations;

• Understanding of basic motor vehicle functionality and familiarity with maintenance requirements;

• High level of concentration and ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team;

• Capable of working under pressure and according to strict timelines;

• Excellent communication skills;

• Flexibility to perform tasks at short notice and out-of-hours work as needed; 

• Competent Microsoft Office user (Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams).