Career Opportunities at British High Commission

The Estates Managers will join the BHC Joint Corporate Services Team to lead the Estates Team and manage the large BHC estates (over 90 properties). The job will be split to ensure each person manages half of the BHC estate.

Responsibilities for the Estate Manager Job

• This is a senior managerial and leadership role within the BHC’s Joint Corporate Services Team (JCST). The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate that they can lead a busy team, motivate staff, delegate responsibilities and meet tight deadlines.
• Property Acquisition & Lease Negotiation
• Identifying suitable new residential properties, negotiating and liaising on contracts and property improvements with landlords
• Secretariat to the Housing Committee, providing recommendations on allocations for consideration
• Oversight of Contractors
• Overseeing various contracts including office gardening, lift maintenance, pest control, water delivery, air conditioning, generator maintenance, fire equipment and borehole services, with the assistance of the Deputy Estates Manager
• Technical Works Group (TWG) Liaison
• Coordinating within the Technical Works Group (TWG) and contractors on maintenance and works planning for all owned and rented properties, including the preparation of properties to meet the housing needs of new arrivals
• Resources managed (staff and expenditure): Directly line managing one staff member each

Qualifications for the Estate Manager Job

• A background in Estates or Project Management work.
• Extensive experience of developing good working relationships with key stakeholders at all levels.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and initiative, as well as good customer service skills.
• Proficient written and spoken English
• Required competencies
• Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering Value for Money, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace

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Main purpose of Job

Working to support the Director of Corporate Services, and the High Commissioner as Senior Budget Holder, by providing compliant and auditable Procurement functions across the BHC and in compliance with UK Government procurement policies.

Manage relationships with key contractors, undertaking timely tendering exercises, drafting of specifications and improving BHC internal procurement functions.

On compliance to ensure that the BHC meets all internal reporting standards especially around financial management, procurement, health and safety and environmental considerations.

Responsibilities for the Procurement Manager Job

• Managing and controlling all the BHC’s external suppliers with particular emphasis on service and maintenance contracts, furniture, transport and building supplies.
• Ensure tender exercises undertaken in a timely and professional manner, to our policy/standards and in compliance with Kenyan law.
• Establish formal feedback mechanisms for each contract so British High Commission staff can share ownership and report issues.
• Identify new suppliers, verify they are a legitimate business and comply with all local laws and who can meet our quality standards and provide value for money.
• Assist the DCS to manage the Mission’s supplier database.
• Work with all teams to increase usage of government procurement card spend.
• Identify weaknesses in the current procurement management and procedures, tackle issues on the basis of risk, budget and develop plans to rectify.
• Review current purchasing function and skills base, identify training needs, implement improvements and drive down costs.
• Review options for out-sourcing functions currently done in house.

Compliance

• Work closely with the Procurement Hub in Pretoria to ensure accurate reporting and compliance
• Conduct periodic internal reviews to ensure UK Government compliance procedures are followed
• Conduct or direct the internal investigation of compliance issues
• Identify compliance issues that require follow-up.
• Disseminate Best Practice including written policies and procedures related to compliance.
• Provide training to all teams on the above annually.
• Undertake mystery shopper exercises
• Oversee the annual internal-audit check of systems and the Annual Compliance Certificate.

Resources managed 

• Directly line managing one staff member
• Essential qualifications and experience
• Procurement and Compliance experience;
• Extensive experience of running large and complex tenders;

Qualifications for the Procurement Manager Job

• Relevant post-graduate or professional qualification (e.g. holds or studying towards CIPS Level 4 or higher)
• A minimum of 1-2 years experience of sourcing goods, services and works.
• Demonstrated project management experience from conception to delivery ideally within a procurement context
• Extensive experience of developing good working relationships with key stakeholders at all levels
• High level of proficiency in MS Office particularly MS Excel, would be advantageous.
• Changing and Improving, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering Value for Money, Managing a Quality Service