Head of Corporate Services (CZE26-005920)

Pracovní nabídka

We only accept applications submitted through our internal system. Please apply here: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/brand-2/spa-1/candidate/so/pm/4/pl/1/opp/26807-Head-of-Corporate-Services-CZE26-005920/en-GB

Who We Are:

The British Embassy in Prague is part of the UK’s global diplomatic network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is seeking an experienced professional with strong leadership and interpersonal skills to provide strategic oversight and direction to the Corporate Services section in a job-share arrangement.

The Corporate Services team provides essential administrative and operational support to all sections of the Embassy, supporting both UK based diplomatic staff and locally employed staff. The job holder will have responsibility for overseeing the full Corporate Services agenda, including HR, IT, Finance, Estates, Security, Procurement, Legal and the UK based staffing agenda, ensuring the effective use of resources to enable the Embassy to deliver its objectives. The agenda will be jointly managed with another 0.5 FTE job holder (2.5 days each).

Main Purpose of the Role:

Working closely with colleagues at the Embassy, as well as counterparts in London and regional hubs, the job holder will ensure that corporate policies, standards and controls are implemented effectively at Post. The role will also play a key part in driving continuous improvement, modernising ways of working, and identifying innovative and pragmatic solutions to meet the Embassy’s evolving operational needs.

We are looking for a candidate with a can do attitude, who is pragmatic, able to bring people together, work effectively as part of a team, and think on their feet. Support will be provided, including on the job training.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Leading and developing the Corporate Services (CS) team, including line management and development of five direct reports, and overseeing the effective delivery of corporate services across the Embassy, working closely with the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission on corporate priorities.
• Managing the Embassy’s administrative and salary budgets, ensuring all expenditure represents value for money and complies with FCDO financial policies and controls. This includes responsibility for budget profiling, in year monitoring and forecasting, and oversight and authorisation of monthly financial checks and financial reporting requirements.
• Implementing procurement policies to ensure robust governance and value for money and overseeing the management of contracts with locally appointed external suppliers (e.g. gas, electricity, telephony).
• Working with Embassy senior management to implement effective HR processes, including recruitment, performance management, appraisals, learning and development initiatives, and follow up to staff survey results. Overseeing employment contracts, terms and conditions of service, pay scales and performance related pay for locally employed staff, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and Czech labour law.
• Providing advice and guidance on sensitive matters, including management issues, wellbeing concerns and dispute resolution.
• Overseeing estate management, ensuring the office, residential properties and official vehicles comply with corporate procedures.
• Managing the relationship with the facilities management provider, ensuring that Embassy office space and residential properties are managed to the required standard.
• Working in close cooperation with the Post Security Officer and Post Security Manager to ensure the security of Embassy buildings, staff and information.
• This is a multi‑hatted role, and the job description is not an exhaustive list of activities undertaken at the Embassy. The role will suit an individual who enjoys working across a broad range of issues, leading teams and delivering results in a fast‑paced environment. The job holder will agree with the existing 0.5 FTE job holder how best to divide responsibilities across the Corporate Services agenda, including the line management of direct reports.

Our Ideal Candidate shows:

• Excellent written and spoken Czech and English (minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*), with the ability to draft clearly in both languages, understand organisational policies, interpret organisational policies, develop guidance and communicate it effectively to others.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience of leading or coordinating people and working collaboratively across teams.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, manage competing demands and remain effective in a busy and changeable environment.
• Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders, understand different needs, and adapt communication style appropriately.
• The ability to take a broad, strategic view, work across organisational boundaries, and build effective working relationships with colleagues locally, regionally and with headquarters in London.
• A practical understanding of HR principles affecting locally employed staff, and the ability to work with managers on people related issues, supported by policies, guidance and specialist advice as required. Familiarity with Czech labour law and statutory health and safety requirements is an advantage, but support and advice will be available.
• Financial awareness, with experience of working with budgets, forecasts or financial reports, or the ability to develop these skills quickly with support.
• Experience of working with corporate systems and processes (e.g. HR, finance, procurement or similar), and confidence in learning new systems.
• Solid IT skills, including confidence in using Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel, Word and Microsoft Teams) and appreciation of how to use AI securely to achieve efficiencies.

Nice to have:

• Previous experience of working in a finance, estates, HR or corporate support role, particularly within an international or multicultural environment, or within a large, process-based organisation.
• Experience of working with Oracle-based or similar systems, particularly HR, finance and procurement modules, with the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Experience of managing or contributing to projects, including planning, coordination and delivery alongside day to day responsibilities.

Other benefits and conditions of employment:

This is a 12 months part-time (0.5 FTE) temporary position of 2,5 working days (18.75 hours net) per week.

Working days and hours will be agreed between the job share partners to ensure that the role is covered throughout the working week, Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00.

The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year pro rata and the Embassy enjoys an average of 14 Czech/UK public holidays per year.

The monthly salary is 52,800 CZK (gross). In addition, staff receive a meal vouchers contribution.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and 3-months probationary period.

The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation for the Czech Republic to apply.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Czech Republic are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Czech Republic employment law.

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

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country. The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits.

Additional information:

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the application deadline mentioned on the FCDO's recruitment website (link to the website at the start of the advert).

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.

We only accept applications submitted through our internal system. Please apply here: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/brand-2/spa-1/candidate/so/pm/4/pl/1/opp/26807-Head-of-Corporate-Services-CZE26-005920/en-GB