The British Embassy in Dubai has a vacancy for an Estates Manager, job grade Executive Officer (EO). This is for a fixed-term contract of two (2) years with the possibility of renewal. 

The jobholder will provide leadership and strategic direction to the maintenance, accommodation and transport teams in Dubai. The jobholder will also be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Dubai estate, including health and safety, risk management and the effective implementation of estate policies.

The jobholder will also manage estates related contracts and be responsible for effective contract management and supplier relations. They will also support Embassy procurement for all estates, maintenance, furniture and facilities services and goods.  The jobholder will oversee the effective administration of the Dubai estates budget of approximately 8 million AED.

The job holder will also work closely with their counterpart in Abu Dhabi to ensure joined up and aligned processes.

The FCDO is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We do not discriminate on any basis, including categories protected by law. In keeping with the FCDO’s commitment to disability inclusion in the workplace, hiring managers must incorporate the principles set out in the FCDO Disability Confident scheme job applications in the CBS recruitment process.  Our CBS are recruited by Missions in-country in line with local employment laws.

Duties and responsibilities:

Estate Management:

• Oversee day-to-day operational management of the Dubai Embassy estate, ensuring effective maintenance and up-keep of the compound for residence and staff.
• Ensure consistent application and implementation of estate policies and procedures.
• Provide strategic leadership and project management across all estate-related initiatives, including refurbishments, new builds, and maintenance planning.
• Liaise with the Abu Dhabi Estates Manager, to ensure consistent application of policies and procures across the two estates.

Health & Safety:

• Lead on Embassy health and safety policy implementation, including training, risk management, risk assessments and maintenance provisions in line with FCDO guidance.
• Sit on the Embassy health and safety committee and promote best practice health and safety across the Mission, with a focus on contractor health and safety compliance.
• Lead all fire safety provisions as the appointed fire safety manager.
• Maintain oversight of all health and safety compliance records, preventative maintenance plans, and schedule of works.

Procurement & Contract Management:

• Support procurement by contributing to specification of work, participating in technical evaluations, and managing contracts once in place.
• Monitor and manage supplier performance against all commercial contracts to ensure value for money and effective delivery.

Accommodation:

• Oversee the delivery of all residential accommodation provisions, both on and off-site, ensuring compliance standards are met.
• Engage regularly with compound residents and stakeholders to ensure issues are resolved quickly and feedback is considered when making estates decisions.

Transport:

• Oversee the transport team and ensure implementation of FCDO and Embassy transport policies.
• Oversee vehicle fleet management and develop a longer-term fleet strategy for Dubai.

Budgetary Management:

• Maintain budgetary oversight of maintenance, accommodation, furniture, uniform and transport budgets.
• Directly manage and monitor spend forecasts, working closely with the finance team to ensure accurate reporting and profiling.

Asset Management & Data Management:

• Own and maintain the maintenance register, inventory and asset registers, ensuring robust management of assets and inventory including proper disposal at end-of-life.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of estate data updates and reporting via FCDO systems.

Crisis Planning & Support:

• Provide support to the Embassy’s crisis planning and emergency response efforts.

Resources Managed

• Direct management of 4 staff members and a wider team of 12.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on any other duties as required by the Deputy Director and/or Director of Corporate Services. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as and when required, including participating in the Embassy’s response to a crisis

Key behaviours required:

• Managing a Quality Service: Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• Making Effective Decisions: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• Changing and Improving: Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be able to obtain an appropriate level of UK Security Clearance and be able to obtain a valid UAE police clearance certificate. Higher clearances can be granted only to certain nationalities. For this reason, candidates must be of British, American, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand or European nationality in order to gain and maintain the level of clearance required. 

• Health and safety experience and/or qualification
• Project management experience and/or qualification (e.g. PRINCE2)
• Experience of supplier management and/or contract management qualification
• Excellent organisational and information management skills
• Experience managing a diverse team.
• Flexible, decisive, and resilient under pressure, with a proven track record of delivering results within tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to cultivate and maintain a range of contacts and respond to customers effectively.
• IT literate and well versed in the use of Microsoft Office applications, particularly MS Excel.

Language requirements:

Language: English
Level of language required: Fluent spoken and written.