JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – Residence Assistant (Part-Time), Ambassador’s Residence, Helsinki (FIN25.315)

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Residence and Support Staff)

Job Subcategory

Waiter/Household Assistant

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy in Helsinki is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic, and consular interests overseas and is looking for a part-time Residence Assistant.

The Residence is the centre of hospitality and entertainment for the British Embassy in Helsinki. A range of events take place there throughout the year. The Residence has a number of guest rooms used for official visits. It is also home to the Ambassador and family.

The Residence Assistant is responsible for the housekeeping of the Residence, including the Ambassador’s private quarters, and laundry. These tasks are carried out alongside another Residence Assistant with whom the new employee will work closely.

The Residence Assistant plays an important role, carrying out a wide variety of tasks such as setting up rooms for events, including furniture moving, flower arranging, welcoming guests, waiting on guests during events, and maintaining Residence rooms to a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene.

The new employee will be a crucial member of the Ambassador’s team. They are expected to be a strong team player, contributing to a high standard of service delivery on a daily basis. The Residence Assistant will directly report to the Events & Residence Manager.

What will you be expected to achieve?

Housekeeping & Laundry:

• Clean Ambassador’s private quarters: dusting, wiping worktops, taking out rubbish, hoovering, mopping, cleaning toilets and washing & changing bedding.
• Clean and upkeep of guest bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Clean ground floor fine rooms: polishing/waxing antique furniture, dusting, hoovering, mopping and cleaning guest bathrooms.
• Polishing of silverware and crystal glasses.
• Take care of all laundry for the house, washing & ironing: bedding, towels and event linens such as tablecloths & napkins.
• Keep linen cupboards tidy and ensure that linen and towels are ready as required and ensure that event linens are ready for Residence functions.

Events:

• Assist with the planning, layout, presentation and preparation for events, including moving furniture and other equipment for outdoor and indoor functions.
• Receive deliveries to the Residence and assist with moving delivered items.
• Serve drinks and food at a range of events from breakfasts and afternoon teas to cocktail receptions, formal lunches and dinners, and garden parties in the summer.
• Preparation of food/snacks for official meetings.
• Supervise additional staff for functions.
• Clean up afterwards including washing dishes.
• Responsible for inventories of event equipment.
• Take care of recycling.

Other:

• Work flexibly in the role and as part of a wider Embassy team.
• Attend residence and staff meetings.
• Report technical or maintenance issues to the Residence Manager and Corporate Services team.
• Assist other staff members with ad-hoc tasks and projects, as requested.

The Embassy promotes the core values of Expertise, Courage and Respect in all that we do. We are an equal opportunities employer, and all members of the team are expected to treat each other with respect. We value great teamwork, and we ask that everyone contribute to create a positive atmosphere at work.

The job description is subject to changes and may evolve over time and in response to changing circumstances. The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• Housekeeping experience;
• Food service experience, preferably from an events environment;
• Basic cooking abilities;
• Positive attitude, a customer-focused approach;
• Good communication skills and confidence;
• Being discrete at all times;
• Attention to detail;
• Excellent organisational skills and time management;
• Ability to work flexible hours;
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team;
• Basic IT competency (Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel) and numerical skills;
• Fluency in English written and spoken (minimum of C1 CEFR framework level language*).

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

• Experience of living and/or working in the UK or another international environment;
• Food hygiene certification (hygieniapassi);
• Alcohol pass certification (anniskelupassi).

Required behaviours

Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline

24 September 2025

Grade

S1

Type of Position

Permanent, Part-Time

Working hours per week

18 hours/week

Region

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory

Finland

Location (City)

Helsinki

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

EUR

Salary

1530.00 € (gross)

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

13 October 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a part-time, 18 hours per week, permanent position.

Staff may be required to work beyond conditioned hours during the week, or at weekends, in such case they are entitled to take time off in lieu. TOIL hours must have prior approval.

The appointment is subject to professional background check, security clearance and the successful completion of a probationary period.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Finland are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Finnish employment law and FCDO guidance for Country Based Staff.

Staff at the British Embassy Helsinki who are not subject to Finnish income tax—i.e. non-Finnish nationals—have a reference amount deducted from their gross salary. This abatement reflects the local tax that would otherwise apply, ensuring consistent net pay across roles.

Pension and unemployment contributions are deducted for all staff. Salary payments are reported to the Finnish Income Register in line with legal requirements.

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy in Helsinki has a strong ethos of Learning and Development, including our L&D Week. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend external seminars and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to induction programmes offered to all Embassy and S&I Network staff.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Finland 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.

Additional information

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

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.

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 refer to the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”. We are looking for a C1 level or equivalent. For more information, please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

 

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements