Estates Foreman AO at the British High Commission (BHC) Nigeria

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Estates Foreman AO

Job ID: 06/23 LOS
Location: Lagos
Grade: Administrative Officer (AO)
Type of Position: Permanent
Working hours per week: 35
Start Date: 1 March 2023
Type of Post: British Deputy High Commission
Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Job Subcategory: Estates

Main Purpose of Job

• The Estates Foreman will take a leading role in ensuring that British Embassy owned and rented properties are compliant with FCDO standards.
• They are responsible for the quality and delivery of all routine maintenance, repairs and minor works projects for the British Deputy High Commission Lagos comprising of offices, residential accommodation, amenities and grounds.
• The Foreman will be expected to manage the Technical Works Group team of multi-skilled Artisans, reporting to the Estates Manager and working closely with the Technical Works Supervisors, to ensure that all facilities are operated and maintained in accordance with relevant Technical, and Health & Safety standards.
• The Foreman will also be required to take a hands-on approach, undertaking some aspects of maintenance work themselves (appropriate to their skill set).

Roles and responsibilities
Estates:

• Provide technical quality control, oversight and acceptance of all maintenance work undertaken in BDHC Offices and Residential properties to ensure that works are delivered on time. All tasking to comply with FCDO Technical and Health & Safety standards.
• Swiftly learn and understand the current UK Technical, and Health & Safety Standards and FCDO policy, and be proactive in keeping their knowledge up to date.
• Monitors performance of TWG Team Members and report to the Estates manger and Head of Corporate Service when required.
• Implement long term Planned Preventative Maintenance programme for essential building services and equipment (including for water services, electrical installations, A/Cs, generators, fire protection systems, swimming pools and security lighting) using the in-house maintenance team or appropriate contractors, and maintain accurate and organised records of conducted works.
• Sourcing quotations for maintenance projects which provide value for money.
• Drafting the specifications of required materials and techniques and methods to be used by technicians and contractors in technical works.
• Assist the UK TWS in drafting scope of works on major works.
• Assist the UK TWS with the vetting of sourced Contractors intended or intending to work for the BDHC Lagos Estates Team
• Conduct safety checks on all tools and equipment to be used by the technical works team and report any faulty or non-compliant equipment to the UK Technical Works Supervisor so that it can be replaced.
• Carry out health and safety inductions or briefings for contractors working at BHC properties and document evidence of said briefings. To also include hazard checks and controls before works permits can be issued to contractors.
• To organise regular training sessions and tool box talks with technical staff and contractors to ensure they do work as per FCDO Standards.
• Undertaking other duties as assigned and agreed by the UK TWS.
• Work with the Post Health and Safety Officer to ensure and implement Health and Safety Culture and practice within the TWG, ensuring that documents are signed off by competent persons and submitted to the HS Officer for reviewing.

The incumbent will line manage the technical works group of 15 people which includes:

• Plumbers
• Electrician
• Builders
• Carpenters
• Storeman
• Administrative assistant

Resources managed:

• Line manage the TWG Administrative Assistant, Assistant Estates Foreman, TWG Charge hands, and Counter-sign for all TWG Artisans.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience  

• Hold a professionally recognised qualification in either Electrical, Mechanical or Construction, Engineering with a strong emphasis on Health and Safety.
• At least 3 years works experience in maintenance supervision of commercial or residential properties.
• Experience in the supervision and management of people employed on maintenance activities.
• IT skills (particularly Microsoft Office suite - Outlook, Word and Excel).
• As well as technical skills, the ability to be well organised and to communicate to UK based and Country based staff colleagues and service providers.
• Experience of implementing Health & Safety standards.
• Significant and relevant experience in the supervision of maintenance, building services and construction projects.
• Good working knowledge of generators.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:

• 18th Edition Reg experience.
• LPG gas experience.
• IOSH/NEBOSH safety.
• IOSH fire safety.
• Full driving license.

Required behaviours:

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

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment
Learning and development opportunities:

• 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.

Working patterns:

• Full time position, with core working hours between 7.30am – 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday and 7.30am - 12.30pm on Friday. The job holder will need to be flexible to respond to incidents and operational demands as the need arises. Occasional weekend and public holiday work may be required.
• The candidate will need to be available to also work evenings, weekends and public holidays to meet operational needs.

Salary
USD1,314.06

Application Closing Date
9th February, 2023.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Additional Information  

• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Abuja are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
• All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
• The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
• Obtain the relevant permit
• Pay fees for the permit
• Make arrangements to relocate
• Meet the costs to relocation
• Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.  
• Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
• Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
• The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position
• 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”.