Estates Manager at British High Commision (BHC)

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, 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Estates Manager

Job ID: 09/21 LOS
Location: Lagos
Grade: Executive Officer (EO)
Job Category: Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Working Hours: 35
Job Subcategory: Estates
Number of Vacancies: 1
Type of Position: Permanent
Start Date: 1 March 2023

Main Purpose of Job

• We are looking for an organised and pro-active Estates Manager to spearhead the operation and upkeep of the British Deputy High Commission Lagos estate.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for the management of all estates operations, including staff and contractors. They will also lead on estates projects, operations and supplier management to ensure a safe and compliant platform for all staff, with support from Technical Works Supervisors.
• This is an exciting and fast-paced job that offers real responsibility.

The job-holder plays a crucial role:

• Managing the High Commission’s estate across Lagos, Nigeria (Inc. both offices and residential properties) to deliver high quality office space and housing for staff, against detailed policies and achieving good value for money in line with UK government policy
• Managing all facilities – including maintaining relevant registers, inventories and detailed documentation, liaising with a Technical Works team to ensure the whole estate meets compliance standards including health & safety requirements, implementing and overseeing a comprehensive  preventative maintenance schedule, and ensuring a highly effective system for addressing reactive maintenance needs.
• Line-manage: Estates Foreman, Estates Supervisor and Estates Asset Officer, creating a supportive, inclusive and personal development orientated work environment for all Estates and TWG Staffs;
• Participating in the development of estates related tender documents and contracts
• Ensuring strong contract management for all current estates contracts
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to deliver a substantial office refurbishment project.

Roles and Responsibilities
Estates:

• Ensure Implementation of the FCDO estates guidance and housing policy including participation in the British Deputy High Commission’s Post Housing Committee
• Oversee the sourcing of accommodation for all UK officers in conjunction with the TWS, HCS and Post Housing Committee
• Overseeing the management of leases when necessary (with legal advice provided as necessary), relationships with landlords and maintaining central records on property management software);
• Working closely with the Technical Works team to ensure all office and residential premises meet all requirements in line with policies, regulations, compliance standards and all maintenance and other works are planned, monitored and delivered to high technical standards
• Management of estates budget (including evidence-based forecasting, monitoring, evaluating expenditure, delivering maintenance and works to budgets) and overseeing procurement, commissioning and payment of all works, maintenance and other estates-related projects, in particular realising value for money, adhering to financial procedures and meeting audit requirements
• Ensure, through the Asset Officer, completion of asset register for all properties on the estate is maintained and up to date inventories of stock, goods and fixtures and fittings throughout the estate are accurate and effective controls and processes are in place
• Ensure that Plannon records are updated regularly
• Line Management of 3 x Estates Staff (Estates Foreman, Estates Supervisor and Estates Asset Officer)
• Develop and implement an Estates and Assets Management Plan for Lagos that highlights key priorities for maintenance, refurbishment and development.
• Manage the official procurement credit card to procure goods and services for Estates, and maintain records and supporting documents for audit purposes.
• Energy Management; put in place systems to measure post energy consumption and ensure that energy infrastructures are used optimally.

Procurement:

• Managing Estates procurement for all transactions below the value of £25000 (following the purchasing, payment and financial management processes and ensuring all documentation in retained for audit purposes) in line with FCDO policy;
• Work with post Procurement team on any Estates related tenders or contracts
• Implementing new contracts identified by the British Deputy High Commission’s strategic procurement plan
• Source from approved suppliers meeting relevant Health and Safety requirements complying with the relevant purchasing guidelines.
• Maintain full up to date inventories of all properties and submit quarterly reports to CSM.

Health and Safety:

• Ensure the BDHC residential estate and offices meet all Health and Safety requirements in line with FCDO  guidance including: compliance with fire alarm standards, gas installation compliancy, electrical installations compliancy, provision of safe drinking water, asbestos management, amenities guidance etc.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Day to day Line Management of 1 x B3 (L) Estates Foreman, 1 x B3 (L) Estates Supervisor, and 1 X A2 (L) Property Asset/ Compliance Manager. 
• Estates budget approx. £500,000

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience  

• Degree or Higher Diploma in Facilities Management or related fields
• Minimum of 3 years management of estates management, budgets and procurement of the scale set out above
• Contracts and quality assurance management experience
• Excellent IT skills including at least all Windows applications and bespoke financial management software
• Minimum 3 years' experience of delivering a high standard of customer service in a challenging environment
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Procurement experience
• Health and Safety experience
• Experience in Project Management
• Property Management and/ or Facilities Management experience
• Experience of technical aspects of property or facilities management.

Required behaviours  

• Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Salary

• USD 1,827.80 monthly.

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment:

• The British Deputy High Commission Lagos encourages a strong learning and development culture and a wide variety of personal development training opportunities are available to all BDHC staff.

Application Closing Date
18th January, 2023.