The British Embassy Beirut has a vacancy for a Cook, job grade Administrative Assistant (AA) for a fixed term contract of 12 months.

The successful candidate will plan and provide meals for the Ambassador and visitors to the Residence, including official lunches, dinners and receptions. The Ambassador and Residence team host a number of events each week and so the job holder will need to be prepared to work late most evenings, and to cater for some large events (up to 70-75 guests per reception; potentially working with outside caterers for larger events).

You will also be responsible for sourcing foods, menu and plates design, food standards, kitchen hygiene, and full accounting for all purchases. You will work as part of a Residence team and will be expected to demonstrate British Embassy values of respect, teamwork, integrity and professionalism.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Planning and costing menus for the Ambassador. Developing menu options for events – with menus for specific food requirements including allergies, religious restrictions, vegan and vegetarian.
• Providing high quality meals for the Ambassador’s guests – to include breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as special events such as cocktail receptions or buffet events.
• Providing high quality meals for the Ambassador and his family – to include breakfasts, lunches and dinners (icnluding weekends where necessary).
• Liaising with the Residence Manager at all times, ensuring timely and effective delivery through effective communication, testing new items in advance of events as necessary.
• Purchasing kitchen related items,  including high quality food and other domestic requirements of the Residence at competitive prices (with an emphasis on local ingredients, value for money and within agreed budget) in line with direction from the Residence Manager.
• Maintaining inventories and spot check duties.
• Providing full accounts of kitchen and food purchases (including receipt and records management).
• Selecting shops for high quality food at competitive prices, obtaining value for money.
• Monitoring kitchen hygiene and sanitation practices as well as follow kitchen safety standards and thus by keeping the kitchen and kitchen’s equipment clean and to a professional standard that meets all health, food hygiene and safety requirements.
• Carry out other reasonable tasks, including regular meetings with Ambassador, line manager and Residence team.
• Work with external caterers, as required, so that they can use kitchen equipment and ensure that they follow the standards expected in the Residence.
• When needed be, providing wider Residence support e.g. helping with set-up for all events; versatile residence support.

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:

• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Changing and Improving – Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.

• The ability to cook a wide range of high quality food to a high standard and with knowledge of creating menu design, suitable for providing excellent hospitality to the Ambassador’s guests at formal dinners and other events at the Residence in Beirut.
• Understanding of and commitment to providing the highest standards of food hygiene at all times.
• Experience of working as a cook/ chef with evidence of appropriate professional training.
• Experience in budgeting and accounting for purchases.
• Excellent customer service focus.
• The ability to maintain performance under pressure and to work quickly and reliably with little supervision to meet challenging targets, maintaining high standards and attention to detail at all times.
• Fluent communication skills in English, both spoken and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisel
• Flexible to changing requirements, courteous and respectful of others, with a positive attitude to working with other colleagues in a collaborative, effective, mutually supportive and motivated team, committed to upholding the Embassy’s values.
• Must hold a valid driving license in Lebanon.

السفارة البريطانية في بيروت تبحث عن فرد في منصب طباخ.

In addition, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Objectivity
• Impartiality