Aus (canberra) – Head Of Corporate Services, Seo

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.

Job Category  

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Job Subcategory  

Corporate Services Support

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)  

Main purpose of job:

To lead corporate services; providing strategic direction; leading an efficient, cost effective and professional team to deliver all services (Finance, HR, IT, Estates, Transport, Logistics, Protocol and Security) to the partners (from across the UK government) on the platform across the Australia Network of five posts.
As the driving force for corporate delivery, the jobholder will be a core member of the senior management team and Board of Management providing corporate, financial and local insight to inform decision making.

Effective liaison with stakeholders in London and regional HR, Finance and Procurement hubs.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

• Strategic oversight and accountability for delivery of all Australia Network Corporate issues, delivering through a Corporate Services team (CST) split across five Australia posts. 
• As leader of the CST, to develop the operational areas within CST to perform effectively and efficiently as a mutually-supportive, policy-based, flexible, consistent, fair, and customer-orientated whole; with a strong service culture, in line with senior management and Country Business Plan goals and the Corporate Transformation Programme (CTP).
• Management of the relationship with the HR, Procurement & Finance Hubs and Global Transaction Processing Centre, ensuring compliance with the global operating model.
• Deliver the blend of immediate tasks, longer term project and programmes to enable an effective UK in Australia operation, providing first-rate customer service
• Actively build and deepen relationships with key stakeholders internally, within regional and global hubs, the FM provider, Estates teams and with external partners (at other diplomatic missions, government departments and suppliers) to maintain informed and current corporate knowledge.
• Act as trusted advisor to local leadership and partners on the platform ‘horizon scanning’ locally to enable proactive resource and activity planning with the Deputy High Commissioner.
• Provide guidance and act as an escalation point on sensitive staff matters , including management issues and dispute resolution, engaging with specialist HR functions where necessary.  
• Work with the regional hub on recruitment, arrival and departure of  Country Based  staff. Manage reviews of Country Based staff terms and conditions, including pay, recruitment and induction processes, and update in line with FCDO guidance and local labour law.  Ensure that policies and procedures are implemented in a fair and consistent way and that managers have the HR advice that they need.
• Direct responsibility for CS budget (including payroll) and overall responsibility for managing the Australia network’s budget (approx. GBP million). Preparation of financial returns for Manila and London ( OAR, MAP etc). Reporting regularly on progress of the budget and other resource matters to the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner and Network Resources Committee.  
• Proactive thematic leadership in Corporate Committees (Network Resources Committee and Board of Management) to ensure that they support the FCDO corporate agenda and reflect best practice and guidance.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

The jobholder will manage a CS team of  15 staff (including Residence) and directly line manage 1 x HEO Corporate Services Manager and 1 x EO DCSM Finance.

Local Budget of approximately £ million

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Minimum 3 years of middle management experience working for a goverment or international organisation, preferably with direct involvement in HR and /or Finance policy and implementation
• Experience in managing cross functional teams
• High levels of discretion, with a resilient, flexible and ‘can do’ attitude
• Able to challenge and influence senior stakeholders
• Experience in managing suppliers and outsourced service delivery

Required behaviours  

Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Application deadline   Application deadline – day Application deadline – month Application deadline – year

6 March 2023

Grade  

Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

Type of Position  

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week  

38

Region  

Asia Pacific

Country/Territory  

Australia

Location (City)  

Canberra

Type of Post  

British High Commission

Number of vacancies  

1

Salary Currency  

AUD

Salary  

AUD 134,999

Start Date   Start Date – day Start Date – month Start Date – year

17 April 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

This role advertised is a Full-Time, Permanent role to be based in Canberra.

Salary is at AU$ 134,999 per annum (paid out monthly), plus 11% superannuation.

Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.

Open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and partners/ dependents of UK-based diplomatic staff currently posted in Australia.

The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the FCO Diplomatic Academy. There are opportunities to job-shadow other staff, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in broader British High Commission activities. The British High Commission is committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.

Working patterns:

Full time employment (38 hrs), with occasional out of working hours events and travel.