Estates and Procurement Manager HEO (05/25 FT)

-; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking an Estates and Procurement Manager to lead the maintenance and procurement functions. The successful candidate will manage a diverse team and ensure efficient operations in Freetown. Strong property management experience and excellent communication skills are essential. This role offers opportunities for working in a diverse environment and making impactful decisions.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of property management and the Freetown commercial marketplace.
• Leadership experience managing a service delivery team.
• Excellent communication skills to explain issues to non-specialists.

Responsibilities

• Lead the estates team, ensuring proper maintenance of the estate.
• Manage procurement and ensure value for money.
• Maintain accurate records on estate matters.

Skills

Property management

Leadership experience

Excellent communication skills

Financial planning

Procurement processes

Education

Good written and spoken English (minimum GCSE)

Job description

View Vacancy - Estates and Procurement Manager HEO (05/25 FT)

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 Summary

Estates and Procurement Manager HEO (05/25 FT). Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Estates – Lead the wide‑ranging BHC estates team, ensuring that the estate is properly maintained and furnished to appropriate standards. Manage the main office at Spur Road, the satellite office at Bah Drive, the High Commissioner’s Residence and 30+ units of residential accommodation spread across two other compounds. Work with contractors and suppliers in Freetown and overseas, keep accurate electronic and paper records ready for inspection, and manage the estate budget including forecasting and monitoring spend.
• Procurement – Buy goods and services to maintain and support the BHC estate and other corporate services activity, ensuring the greatest value for money. Work with the regional procurement hub to improve compliant procurement and contract management processes throughout the post.

Estates Management

• Primary contact for all estates issues on the BHC platform, proactively engaging with users.
• Maintain the office and residential estate, working through the Technical Works Coordinator and BHC technical adviser.
• Lead the purchasing of furnishings and appliances that meet required quality and safety standards.
• Track and support the estates team, prioritise maintenance requests and seek customer feedback.
• Act as secretariat for the Post Housing Committee, ensuring housing policies are sent to new staff before arrival.
• Responsible for Health & Safety issues across the BHC estate.
• Ensure residential properties are properly prepared and fully equipped before new staff arrive.
• Oversee all estate stores and assets, conducting periodic checks.
• Maintain accurate records on all estate matters, both electronically and manually.
• Manage the estates team budget, covering utilities, maintenance and services, and provide accurate forecasts.
• Make significant procurement decisions on furnishings and large estates projects.
• Build knowledge of the Freetown property market and source alternative properties if needed.
• Line manage the Technical Works Coordinator and three Estates Officers.
• Fire Safety Manager for the BHC – ensure fire safety measures and periodic drills.

Procurement Management

• Lead best practice in contract management across the corporate services team.
• Liaise with the Pretoria procurement hub, ensuring proper procurement processes for all purchases.
• Advise on the Freetown market for goods and services.
• Reduce cash payments by promoting alternative payment forms with suppliers.

Level of Language Required

Good written and spoken English (minimum GCSE equivalent). Ability to converse in Krio also important for communication with local suppliers.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Strong understanding and experience of property management and the Freetown commercial marketplace.
• Leadership experience of a service delivery team.
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain estates and procurement challenges to non‑specialist audiences.
• Understanding of technical aspects of estates management for interaction with maintenance personnel and contractors.
• Strong financial planning and budget management, prioritising and justifying spending.
• Proactive identification of future issues and proposing mitigations.
• Experience of procurement processes and contract management, with ability to upskill others.
• Focus on continuous improvement, simplifying processes and improving efficiency.

Required Behaviours

Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together.

Application Deadline

7 November 2025

Grade

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position

Permanent

Location

Freetown, Sierra Leone