The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) Protocol Directorate is busy and diverse. Our front-line diplomacy work enables and enhances UK foreign policy by: maintaining strong partnerships with UK-based diplomatic and consular missions and international organisations; leading the FCDO's relationship with the Royal Households; leading FCDO's input into the international aspects of the cross-government Honours system; and delivering logistics and hospitality for high profile Ministerial events and inward VIP visits.
Our Events & Visits Unit (EVU) based in Lancaster House organises functions on behalf of the Foreign Secretary, FCDO Ministers, the Prime Minister and central government Ministers and Departments. This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of the team delivering some of the UK Government's most important and high-profile foreign policy events. EVU organises a range of official functions, including breakfasts, lunches, receptions, and dinners to almost any scale.
The successful candidates will join a highly trained small cadre of staff who oversee and manage the practical and logistical elements of setting up and delivering official government hospitality across a range of venues in support of key government objectives.
Roles and Responsibilities
You will play a key role in hands-on, practical event organisation and delivery. These roles are part of the team providing official hospitality for Government Ministers and Permanent Secretaries, within government buildings and at functions at outside venues, overseeing the delivery of 150-200 events annually.
* Supervise dining or reception rooms for guest numbers between 10 and 350, ensuring the efficient service of food and drink, often to tight deadlines.
* Prepare for functions, including setting up and breaking down rooms, furniture, bars, table settings and overseeing wine service.
* Supervise chefs and catering staff and liaise with Protocol Officers.
* Supervise the use of equipment and high value stock items, including silverware, linen, glass and china.
* Prepare wines for events and account for the stock before and after service.
* Assist with the management of stock control and wine deliveries.
* Order goods and equipment and manage the payment of invoices in accordance with FCDO financial best practice.
* Assist with the supervision of porters, contract catering staff and cleaners, overseeing the care of equipment and the close down procedures for each event.
* Make announcements at events and give direction and advice to clients and hosts.
* Assist with the planning, organisation and running of hospitality functions.
* Work as part of the wider Events and Visits Unit and be able to work on your own initiative, running some functions alone and frequently doing so under time pressure.
The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
The core hours for this role are approximately Monday to Thursday 08.30 - 16.45 and Friday 08.30 - 16.30. However, the successful candidate must be prepared to regularly undertake work out of hours, usually in the evenings, between Monday and Thursday. There will also be some occasional weekend work, especially around major national occasions or when supporting large events and summits. Time off in lieu and overtime are available.
Requirements
* Good general knowledge and experience in food service, gained through work in hotels, restaurants and events.
* Ability to lift equipment and furniture and to work at heights using ladders
* Willing to work outside of normal hours when required - usually evenings (Monday - Thursday) with occasional weekend work during major national occasions or when supporting large events.
* Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, able to engage confidently with people at all levels and quickly build strong, trusted relationships.
* Strong communication skills - clear and confident both written and verbal. Proficient in Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Word, Excel.
* Highly organised with strong delivery skills, being able to effectively manage multiple tasks, whilst resilient under pressure and quick-thinking.
* Eye for detail and methodical in approach, with a proactive mindset. Able to focus on continuous improvement and collaboration to enhance efficiency.
* Strong and supportive team player with a proactive, positive attitude, committed to getting things done, maintaining wellbeing, and readily offering support to rest of team.
Benefits
£36,500 per annum (non-negotiable), including a non-pensionable, non-consolidated Location Allowance of £5,000. A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%, 25 days Annual Leave per annum, 9 days Public and Privilege holidays per annum, and Learning and Development tailored to your role.
#J-18808-Ljbffr