Estates Assistant

The British Embassy in Riga is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Estates Assistant.

The purpose of the Estates Assistant's role is to carry out regular property inspections, as well as scheduled and unscheduled repairs and maintenance tasks in Embassy properties to comply with FCDO property maintenance, Health and Safety and Fire Safety requirements. Work with external contractors and maintain appropriate paperwork of works implemented.

The job holder will:

• Carry out handyman’s duties, scheduled and unscheduled repairs and broad range of maintenance tasks in Embassy properties, e.g. ensuring fixtures and fittings are in good working order, minor plumbing and carpentry, testing electronic appliances, clearing or cleaning general areas, shifting and assembling furniture or equipment, painting and decorating, changing filters, maintaining compound external area throughout different seasons, and other.
• Individually and as part of a team, carry out regular monitoring of Embassy properties and technical systems, documenting issues discovered and raising those issues with the Estates Manager.
• Support the Estates Team in carrying out preventive maintenance of Embassy properties and technical systems, as well as carry out staff maintenance requests.
• Monitor the work of external specialist contractors as required. 
• Make purchase of materials, and timely reporting/accounting for these purchases.
• Make records of the completed works and file work documentation appropriately.
• Implement other tasks according to the relevant business needs. The jobholder is expected to be flexible and resilient in case of changing requirements and additional tasks.
• Responsible for work equipment, materials and tools.

Resources Managed:

• Make purchases with credit-card, accounting for transactions.
• Inventory Management of equipment, materials and tools.
• Responsible for their own work and accountable for the effective use of time during work.

Our ideal candidate has:

• Proven experience and practical skills in a particular (or several) workmanship field (e.g. electrical safety, plumbing, plastering, carpentry, or general maintenance will be considered as an advantage).
• Proficiency in written and spoken Latvian (C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• Intermediate level competency in English (especially in conversational English)
• Capable of working with machinery, moving furniture or equipment.
• Driver’s Licence with clean driving experience record.
• Basic computer skills.

Good to have:

• Knowledge in health and safety and fire safety will be considered an advantage.
• Being resourceful, self-motivated, responsive, and flexible; willing to work as part of the team.
• Ability to communicate and understand instructions (in Latvian and English), and adhere to work safety guidelines. 

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Latvia and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

• Salary € 1,741  (gross/month).
• This is a full-time, permanent position. Working time is 40 hours per week (gross).
• The British Embassy has an active learning and development culture and there will be opportunities for informal training and shadowing.
• The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearance. 

Embassy provides all its employees the following benefits:

• Two additional annual leave days on top of those mandated by law.
• A combination of Latvian and UK public holidays - 14 working days-off per year.
• Comprehensive Health Insurance that among others also includes dental care and sports.

Start Date:  19 February 2024.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Riga are subject to terms and conditions of service that are in line with the employment laws in Latvia.