British Embassy Oslo

British Government; Oslo; On-site; NOK 489,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental diplomatic body in Oslo is looking for a Residence Chef to manage the kitchen and cater for embassy events. Responsibilities include devising menus, maintaining hygiene standards, and collaborating with the embassy staff. Ideal candidates should have at least 3 years of relevant catering experience and leadership skills. The role offers a full-time, permanent contract with a competitive salary.

Benefits

Scope for personal and professional development

Strong learning and development opportunities

Work-life balance

Qualifications

• Catering experience in hotels or quality restaurants for at least 3 years.
• Experience in organising official functions.
• Ability to lead a small team.
• Experience maintaining accounts.

Responsibilities

• Devise menus and cater for official events at the Ambassador's Residence.
• Organise purchase of food supplies from local suppliers.
• Ensure kitchen hygiene and sanitation standards are met.
• Maintain records of menus, guest lists and expenditure.

Skills

Collaboration skills

Professionalism in kitchen management

Fluency in English and/or Norwegian

Job description

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: Cook/Chef

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

British Embassy in Oslo, part of the British Government’s Nordic Baltic Network, is part of the UK’s overseas network of diplomatic missions, representing British political, security, economic and consular interests.

The British Embassy Oslo is looking for a Residence Chef.

Main purpose of job:

The Residence Chef is a key post in the British Embassy Oslo, you will be ensuring the smooth operation of the Ambassador’s Residence through assisting with event planning and preparations; and maintaining expense records and accounts. You will be planning menus for a wide range of embassy events, preparing high quality food which showcases the best of modern British and Norwegian food culture.

What will you be expected to achieve?

• Devise menus and cater for all official events as appropriate at the Ambassador’s Residence & Embassy, creating innovative and modern menus, and applying culinary trends to prepare food in line with the objectives and budget of each event or occasion.
• Organise the purchase of food supplies from local suppliers - planning ahead, buying supplies according to season and availability, and actively comparing prices of food and drinks stock to ensure quality and value for money.
• Apply knowledge of special dietary restrictions and come up with creative alternatives.
• Build organisation and functionality in the kitchen operation and work areas.
• Ensure kitchen hygiene and sanitation, and follow kitchen safety standards, on a daily basis.
• Ensure a good record of menus, guest lists and expenditure is maintained.
• Keep clear and timely accounts.

Events coordination:

• Organise menus, catering, setup, equipment and supplies for all official functions at the Ambassador’s Residence, breakfast, lunch, dinner to larger receptions including the annual King’s Birthday Party.
• Work in partnership with the Embassy staff, who are responsible for guest lists, programmes, protocol and communications at all official events.
• Advise Embassy staff in delivering events, including by agreeing extra temporary staff for larger events.

Team Collaboration:

• Participate as required in cross-Embassy activities, including communications, crisis and business continuity activity.

Perform additional tasks as directed by the Ambassador or Embassy management.

As part of the responsibilities associated with this role, candidates are expected to actively contribute to the Social Committee and provide support during times of organisational or community crisis.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• Good collaboration skills, professionalism in kitchen management, knowledge of housekeeping and catering.
• Fluency in English and/or Norwegian.

Experience in:

• Catering in hotels, quality restaurants, diplomatic residence or equivalent with a proven track record for at least 3 years.
• Housekeeping and organising official functions.
• Leading a small team.
• Maintaining accounts.

Skills – ability to:

• Create a collaborative caring, supportive team.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Focus on quality service for an official representational need.
• Manage flexible working environment.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

• Knowledge of wine and spirits.

Required behaviours

Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week: 35 hours per week

Region: Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory: Norway

Location (City): Oslo

Type of Post: British Embassy

Number of vacancies: 1

Salary Currency: NOK

Annual Gross Salary: NOK 488,040

Start Date: 2 January 2026

This is a full-time and permanent contract position, 5 working days (currently 35 hours net) per week. The annual basic salary is NOK 488,040 (gross). The job holder must be prepared to work flexibly based on the requirements of official events and the Ambassador’s schedule. General working pattern of Monday to Friday, with some evening work required for evening events, and occasional weekend work. The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance.

Embassy in Norway is a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:

• Scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching and job shadowing.
• Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&D days.
• An equal, diverse and engaged workplace.
• Work-life balance.

Equal employment

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. The DBT Europe Network wants to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and a 6‑month probationary period.

The successful candidate must have pre‑existing work authorisation for Norway in order to apply.

Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy Oslo are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with Norwegian employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements

Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Norway and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Additional information

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen. Please be advised that the FCDO will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

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.