View Vacancy – DXB – Residence Assistant (S1)

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

Housekeeper

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy in Dubai is looking for a Residence Assistant to fulfil a critical role in the Official Residence of HM Consul General in Dubai.

Main Purpose of the Job:

As the first point of contact for all visitors to the Residence, you will be responsible for meeting and greeting guests in arrival, including VVIPs and senior Government officials, and providing them with a world class guest experience. You will need to always ensure guest’s comfort and you will hold responsibility for a range of practical ‘hand on’ support to the Consul General and to smooth operation of the Residence.

As well as concierge, table and bar service the Residence Assistant is responsible for the cleanliness and presentation of the Residence, ensuring that the property is clean, presentable and ready to receive the visitors at any time.

Under the guidance of the Events and Residence Officer and as part of the Embassy’s wider Central Events and Residence Team, the Residence Assistant works very closely with the Consul General as well as the Estates and Security Teams and colleagues across the Mission to deliver “best in class” residence support and hosting.

This is a great opportunity for a self-motivated and reliable individual to join a friendly, professional and welcoming team at the British Embassy in support of diplomatic work.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience in housekeeping, business hospitality and food and beverage service delivery and will thrive in working both front of house and behind the scenes to ensure that our guests experience a top-quality Residence service. The role will suite a candidate who demonstrates the flexibility to meet the demands of a varied work schedule and are able and willing to undertake basics housekeeping tasks through to running a household with the confidence to house senior guests.

The FCDO is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We do not discriminate on any basis, including categories protected by law. In keeping with the FCDO’s commitment to disability inclusion in the workplace, hiring managers must incorporate the principles set out in the FCDO Disability Confident scheme job applications in the CBS recruitment process. Our CBS are recruited by Missions in-country in line with local employment laws.

Duties and responsibilities:

Visitor and Guest Services

• Meeting and welcoming guests on arrival, including VVIPs and senior Government officials.
• Providing concierge and assistance for guests and visitors.
• Providing table and bar services as required.
• Co-ordinating arrangements for all official visitors staying at the Residence.
• Ensuring the comfort and safety of all guests and visitors including briefing guests on arrival.

Event Support and Delivery

• Planning the layout and setting tables for small functions. Designing and creating table decorations and household flower and decorative arrangements.
• Serving meals and drinks, clearing away and washing dishes.
• Preparing and serving meals, snacks and beverages for the Consul General, official guests. Larger events (20 pax and above) will be delivered through a third-party caterer.
• Ensuring the additional staff and contractors maintain safety standards while working at the Residence.
• Advising the Events Team when wine/beer/spirit orders are required. Ordering soft drinks and receiving delivery.
• Assisting other Embassy staff when requested, including function preparation and cleaning up afterwards; actively embracing a team culture.

Housekeeping and Laundry

• Ensuring a high standard of cleanliness throughout the Residence.
• Ensuring that the entrance of the Residence is clean and presentable at all times including sweeping and washing.
• Cleaning private areas and guest suites of Official Residence and other areas as directed by Events Officer and the Consul General to a consistent high standard.
• Daily cleaning of kitchen including countertops and floors.
• Dusting and polishing furniture. Vacuuming and polishing floors. Cleaning bathrooms.
• Cleaning silverware, antiques and works of art.
• Preparing guest bedrooms and bathrooms as required.
• Washing and ironing laundry to a high standard.
• Keeping linen cupboards tidy and that linen and towels are ready for guest bedrooms and bathrooms as required and ensure that table linen is ready for Residence functions.

Maintenance and Safety

• Reporting maintenance issues to the Events and Residence Officer.
• Daily running all taps and showers and flushing of all toilets.
• Responsibility for daily checking of all appliances and preventative maintenance of such.
• Checking A/C unites and light bulbs are working.
• Monitoring external service staff and contractors when they are on property.

General Administration

• Follow financial management systems to ensure that the Residence is accurately tracking business hospitality and representational expenditure, and that it has the necessary financial information required for internal audit purposes.
• Attending residence and all staff meetings and events.
• Assisting the Events Officer with ad hoc tasks and projects.
• Documenting the monthly inventory of beverages, first aid and emergency supplies.
• Upkeep of first aid kit.
• Responsibility for stock, equipment, flatware etc.
• Purchasing consumables for the Residence as required.

Resources Managed

• Government Procurement Card (GPC)

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key behaviours required:

• Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Managing a Quality Service: Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Making Effective Decisions: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• At least two (2) years of experience in housekeeping, events delivery, business hospitality and hosting senior guests.
• Fluent in English, both verbal and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
• Ability to provide a hands-on service delivery.
• Strong customer focus. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with all stakeholders. Able to show discretions in handling any sensitive matters, with the trust of all involved.
• Excellent organisational skills, with proven ability to plant and prioritise tasks and workload.
• Resourcefulness in solving problems and demonstration of good judgement and a calm manner.
• Ability to multi-task and respond quickly and flexibly to meet the demands of a varied work schedule and multiple and changing priorities.
• Ability to cook and serve western meals, snacks and beverages for up to 20 people.
• IT literate and well versed in Microsoft Office applications.
• Able to support flexible working hours / days of week to meet the business needs.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Previous relevant working experience in an international standard hotel, diplomatic residence or equivalent.
• Knowledge of First Aid.
• Recognised food safety certificate / qualification.

Required behaviours

Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline

11 August 2026

Grade

S1

Type of Position

Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

Working hours per week

40

Region

Middle East & North Africa

Country/Territory

United Arab Emirates

Location (City)

Dubai

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

AED

Salary

5,996

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

5 October 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, which includes 25 days of leave per annum (calculated pro-rata).

The salary for this role is AED 5,996 per month. The salary is non-negotiable. This position is a ‘live in’ position only, accommodation will be provided.

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This role is for a full-time employment, on a fixed term contract basis for two (2) years, subject to six (6) months’ probationary period. The contract may be extended, subject to satisfactory performance and on on-going business requirement.

The Embassy is open from Monday to Friday from 0700 to 1800 hrs.  The Employee’s normal weekly working hours are forty (40) Monday to Friday (inclusive). This is inclusive of one-hour paid rest break for each five (5) hours worked; the timing of the rest break shall be approved by the Employee’s Line Manager and in accordance with operational requirements.

The jobholder will be required to be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and will involve occasionally working out of hours (evening and/ or weekends) during busy operational periods.

The Embassy has an active Learning and Development Committee, and the whole of Post is committed to providing the time and resources for staff to develop personally and professionally. The 70/20/10 learning and development model is applied in a flexible manner, with extensive informal and formal opportunities readily available.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy’s sponsorship. Individuals holding Golden visas will need to cancel them prior to transferring to Embassy sponsorship.

Additional information

How to apply:

Interested candidates must ensure that the following is fully completed:

1. Fully completed online application form which must include:
2. Fully completed education details and employment history
3. Fully completed experience, professional skills and behaviour-based sections in the online application form.

Please note: It is mandatory that all applicants complete the online application form including the employment and educational details, technical, skills and experience sections and the behaviour-based questions. Applications that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered whilst shortlisting for the next stage.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 UAE local time on 11th August 2026.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Internal candidates (i.e., those employed by the British Embassies in Abu Dhabi & Dubai) applying for this position are advised to inform their current line managers upon submission of their application.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two-three months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and with UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidates’ profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is tentative and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures before employment can begin. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be pla ced on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.  The British Embassy Dubai is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.