Assistant Housekeeper

Step Ahead Recruitment Ltd.; London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks an Assistant to the Senior Housekeeper at the Official Residence of the Commonwealth Secretary-General in London. The role involves maintaining the residence's cleanliness, assisting with meal preparations, and ensuring high service standards during events. Candidates should have essential experience in housekeeping, cooking, and interpersonal skills while demonstrating discretion and flexibility.

Qualifications

• Experience in cleaning/housekeeping is essential.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality is critical.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and sound judgement.

Responsibilities

• Assist with cooking and preparing drinks for events.
• Clean and tidy the house, including laundry and ironing.
• Meet and greet guests while maintaining a high level of service.

Skills

Cleaning

Cooking

Interpersonal Skills

Judgement

Flexibility

Job description

JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Assistant to the Senior Housekeeper at the Official Residence of the Commonwealth Secretary-General

Division: Secretary-General’s Office

Location: Official Residence of the Secretary-General

(London W1)

Grade: O

Reports to: Senior Housekeeper at the Official Residence of the Commonwealth Secretary-General

Functional Relationships: 1. Chief of Staff, Secretary-General’s Office

2. Office Manager, SGO

General Information

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, as the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Secretariat is primarily responsible for its executive direction and management. Furthermore, as an eminent public figure, she needs to interact regularly and widely with a large number of constituencies.

Job summary

The scope of work involves activities associated with preparing meals and serving drinks, as required, as well as maintaining the Secretary-General’s residence in a clean and presentable manner; responsible for assisting the Housekeeper in the day-to-day smooth running of the house including dealing with admittance of guests and maintenance personnel & suppliers, cleaning, laundry, ironing, washing etc as directed by the Housekeeper.

The post holder is expected to bring to the position at all times the capacity to exercise initiative and independent judgement in the performance of agreed tasks. It is essential that the post holder has and brings to the post absolute discretion and confidentiality.

Task description

NB: The duties listed below are not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties assigned are at the discretion of the Secretary-General and/or the Housekeeper.

The post-holder, will assist the Housekeeper in:

· Cooking and preparing drinks and supporting the catering for events as and when required

· As and when required, participate in the serving of food and refreshments for representational functions including lunches, dinners, receptions or social events held at the Residence

· Cleaning and tidying of the house and immediate surroundings including the back yard and front steps as well as windows, vacuuming, mopping, and spot-cleaning floor or wall surfaces, and sanitizing bathroom fixtures

· Dusting and polishing furniture, fixtures and other fittings

· Laundry and ironing

· Watering of plants and arranging flowers

· Supporting the Housekeeper in meeting & greeting the Secretary-General’s guests and also dealing with and escorting the maintenance personnel and suppliers

· Perform any other duties associated with maintaining the Residence.

Person specification

Experience:

Essential:

· Experience in cleaning / housekeeping

· Cooking

Competencies

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

· Capacity to work within an official household, demonstrating interpersonal skills, sound judgement and common sense

· Results orientated with a strong focus on providing a service

· Commitment, flexibility and initiative

· Good communication skills to achieve the right results in dealing with visitors to the Residence, at receptions and with service personnel

· Able to set priorities within allocated duties while remaining responsive to competing priorities

· Work within guidelines and without close supervision

· Maintain a high level of confidentiality

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