Vacancies at British High Commission Nairobi

Main purpose of job:

The multi-skilled carpenter will conduct carpentry, and masonry works on new projects or refurbishments in residential buildings, office space, workshops, stores or outdoors across the British High Commission Nairobi Estate. They will conduct their work safely and ensure safe performance of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance, fault finding, design, construction and inspection of buildings and timber structures across the British High Commission estate.  They will ensure a high level of workmanship and technical standards.

Roles and responsibilities:

Carpentry Duties (65%):

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance activities, projects, refurbishments and react to building maintenance and repairs in a timely, professional & customer focused manner as guided by their team leader.
• Execute repairs and works safely and in accordance with the quality standards of the FCDO, industry best practice, British standards and Kenyan building regulations (National Construction Authority(NCA))
• Read and understand work orders or receive instructions from the team leader.
• Safely erect and inspect scaffolding for works within the range of 3 meters to enable work safely.
• Maintain all equipment in a clean, safe and serviceable condition, reporting any faults by close of working day.
• Responsible for the use of materials and tools issued for the task including the safe storage and security, protection from the elements and being accountable for any unused materials, to be returned and signed back to stores
• Understands and carries out all requirements under Health and Safety for the task including reading, understanding and complying with the risk assessments and site safety orders.
• Continuously self-improve on all work processes to maximize cost-effectiveness, safety adherence, and construction excellence
• Conduct carpentry construction work, remodeling work with good workmanship, and producing specific method statements and risk assessments.
• Use both power and manual tools.
• Basic set up and low-level maintenance and operate woodworking machines, such as lathes, drill presses, sanders, shapers, and planning machines, to perform woodworking operations.
• Proficient at the following tasks: stain-grade trim work, hanging doors, drill and set door hardware, set windows.
• Read and understand blueprints, technical drawings & utilize appropriate mathematics skills.
• Typically, duties may include Routine buildings maintenance, design for small projects, road /path construction, inspection, undertaking building constructions / modification, repairs and replacement in residential and office buildings and special locations (swimming pools etc.). Working at height is essential.

Masonry Duties (25%):

• Carry out planned maintenance activities, projects, refurbishments and react to Minor Masonry Works like broken ridges and sealing valley gaps with cement.
• Restoring old and worn-out masonry
• Execute repairs and works safely and in accordance with the quality standards of the FCO, industry best practice, British standards and Kenyan regulations.
• Actively contribute to safe working practices and ensure all work is undertaken safely by self and others
• Collaborating with other trades: Working alongside carpenters, plumbers, electricians and other technicians to ensure seamless integration of masonry into the overall construction.
• Certificate in Masonry from a recognized government institution (Preferably Government trade test III, II & I).

Typically, duties may include Routine maintenance, construction, test & inspection, fault finding, repairs to installations, repairs and replacement of Masonry minor Works components in residential buildings etc.

Health and Safety Compliance and Driving (10%):

• Resources managed: Manage tools and materials issued to them to accomplish the assignments as directed.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Can demonstrate at least 4 years of hands-on carpentry, joinery and cabinetry work experience
• Can demonstrate at least 2 years of hands-on masonry work experience
• IT / Computer literate; familiar with Microsoft software including Outlook, Teams, Word and Excel
• Holder of valid drivers’ license with at least 3 years clean driving record. A driver’s test will be conducted before offer of employment.
• Qualification Grade 1 as minimum in carpentry and joinery
• Good communication skills, attention to detail and initiative, as well as good customer service skills
• A flexible approach and good team working skill
• Qualification Grade 3 as minimum in masonry

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Artisan or Craft certificate in Carpentry & joinery or equivalent building course modules.
• Civil works experience
• Able to multi-skill. The applicant should list any other technical skills and experience they have in plumbing, electrical, painting, etc.
• Artisan certificate in masonry or equivalent course modules.
• Certificate in fire safety and first aid training

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Main purpose of job:

Responsible for scheduling, coordinating and supervising the technical work of all site operatives, ensuring that all work is delivered safely, on time and within budget along with managing equipment and materials required.
The foreman is also responsible for planning works within the Estate including detailing time frames and staging of works and identifying associated costs to complete the works.  They will be responsible for establishing the bill of materials for each job and identifying large projects that should be escalated through the Forward Maintenance Register (FMR).
The Foreman will jointly line manage, with another AO Foreman, the Technical Works Group (TWG) comprising of painters, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and masons. 

Roles and responsibilities:

Property Surveys:

• Conduct proactive surveys of properties anticipated to be vacated with a projected outlook of at least 12 months.
• Detailed surveys identifying scope of works required, estimated time frames and scheduling, staffing requirements and bill of materials
• Escalating larger works identified during surveys to the Deputy Estates Manager and Technical Works Supervisor for placement on the FMR for funding
• Conduct joint end of posting checks with departing diplomatic staff to highlight any defects before they depart post.
  Conduct joint arrival checks with newly arrived diplomatic staff to highlight critical technical features of the property and any defects. 

Supervision and Scheduling of Works:

• Provide day to day oversite of work taking place across the estate.  Work with colleagues on scheduling and inspection of works.
• Schedule projects to ensure timeline delivery to completion for expected new arrivals.  
• Guide the team on priorities.
• Provide clear guidance and demonstrate best practice in work
• First point of contact for complaint resolution and updating with the customer through the Corporate Services Helpdesk (CSHelpdesk)
• Oversee workloads and coordinate with the Admin Officer on job allocations and managing of workloads.
• Identify needs for additional staff, coverage during long periods of absence and movement of staff between projects.
• Prioritising of work with the Admin Officer and Team Leaders to ensure equitable assignment of work in priority ranking

Contractor Supervision and Engagement:

• Set out the programme of works and oversite of contractors hired to complete technical works on behalf of the BHC.
• Schedule site visits for tender processes and agree scope of works with the TWG Estates Accommodation and Technical Officer for tendering.
• Hold suppliers accountable to agreed timelines, materials, and scope for efficient delivery of projects on time and in budget.
  Monitor progress through a schedule of works and address non-compliance
• Spot check quality of work with contractors and ensure they are compliance with BHC requirements

Health & Safety:

• Ensure work is completed in compliance with best practice health and safety standards
• Actively participate as a representative on the BHC Health & Safety committee
• Spot check contractors for health and safety compliance ensuring a safe working environment at all times.
• Escalate any negative observations to the Health & Safety Officer and Deputy Estates Manager Technical Works

Line Management:

• Collaborate with the General Forman Non-Residential joint delivery of projects and scheduling of works as required.
• Recognise good performance through award schemes, 1:1’s, team meetings and line management meetings, and with the support of HR, where there are incidences of poor performance or disciplinary issues within the technical team, help guide line managers on swift and responsive actions.
• Work with mission wide learning and development, mental health first aiders, and first responders to ensure staff under direct line management are supported in a safe working environment.

Resources managed:

• 1 AA Carpentry Team Leader 
• 1 AA Mason & Painting Team Leader 
• 1 AA Electrician Team Leader
• 1 AA Plumbing Team leader

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Diploma/Craft certificate or degree in construction from a reputable institution
• Minimum 5 years’ experience overseeing technical worksand management of technical projects
• Project Management Experience
• Line Management Experience and Team Leadership
• Certificate in Masonry, Carpentry, Generator Maintenance and/or general works
• Clean driving record with valid Kenyan driving licence (must pass a BHC drivers test during interview phase)

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Diploma or degree in construction from a reputable institution
• NEBOSH Certificate
• Health & Safety training to UK standards

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Main purpose of job:

The Head of Digital will sit within the broader Kenya and Somalia Communications Team based at the British High Commission Nairobi. The Head of Digital will drive forward all digital outputs across the social media and internal communications channels for the British High Commission Nairobi and British Embassy Mogadishu.   

Roles and responsibilities:

• Lead and drive digital content creation, channels and skills across the Kenya and Somalia Communications Team at the British High Commission Nairobi.
• Create and implement a channel and content strategy for (currently) seven British High Commission Nairobi and British Embassy Mogadishu social media channels, identifying opportunities for creative and impactful digital outputs.
• Manage relationships with partner national and regional communications leads in order to collaborate on digital communications outputs and increase our reach. 
• Coordinate publishing and updates to content on the UK Government’s website – GOV.UK - including news stories and documentation, to a high standard and in accordance with the GOV.UK style guide.
• Manage the digital team within the broader Communications Team, ensuring timely delivery of digital outputs, high quality content capture and video editing.
• Manage and maintain existing internal communications channels, including bulletins and digital screens.
• Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of our seven channels and content, implementing lessons learnt to increase and diversify our reach. This will include analysing engagement rates, audience sentiment and producing quarterly monitoring and evaluation reports for a senior audience (up to Ambassador level).
• Track and lead improvements to digital skills within the broader team (seven to eight people), encouraging learning and development, identifying skills gaps and where appropriate, upskilling colleagues.
• Manage the Communications Team’s extensive inventory of equipment, including procurement responsibilities.
• Deputise for the Deputy Head of Team and, occasionally, for the Head of Team.
• Act as media manager on the British High Commission Nairobi’s and British Embassy Mogadishu’s crisis roster – providing sound media leadership during times of crisis.

Resources managed:

• Manage two digital communications assistants.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working in the media sector or communications.
• Knowledge of the social media landscape in Somalia, Kenya and the region.
• Digital communications skills including photography, videography and editing software.
• Monitoring and evaluation skills, particularly in relation to META and X platforms.
• A high proficiency of spoken and written English.
• Management experience.