Description

Hospitality Facility Assistant ( live in)

Common-Wealth House

Commonwealth House was set up in 1965 by local Christian churches to provide accommodation in a welcoming, friendly community for international visitors to Oxford. The staff and management committee are all members of nearby churches.

We welcome residents from all over the world and from many different cultures and faiths.

"Commonwealth House is a home away from home for academics and international students from all over the world, in the vibrant city of Oxford. Comprising of seven adjacent houses in Pembroke Street, it is located directly opposite Christ Church College, in one of the most prestigious places of the city.

​Founded fifty years ago, Commonwealth House aims to be a community of internationals sharing a chapter of their academic journey. We celebrate the diversity of all the cultures and languages represented by the residents in the house as a powerful statement of peace.”

Matthias Ogi

Warden of Commonwealth House

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Hospitality Facilities Assistant focus in providing support the warden on the practical duties related to the well-functioning of Commonwealth House. For this we are looking for a very practical and hands-on multi skilled person, able to attend to emerging needs as well as day to day tasks. Changing bulbs, checking stock, preparing breakfast, checking rooms are just some examples. Someone with servant heart and a desire to serve God and witness of his/her faith amongst internationals and visiting academics through practical hospitality duties. For such a service focused role, it’s important that the person is able to show high levels of flexibility and enjoys meeting with people from different cultures. Excellent communication skills and a can-do attitude are essential elements.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITES

Commonwealth House Ministry

• Responsible for the daily breakfast ( Mon-Fri)
• Being a Christian presence in Commonwealth House, available to deal with problems as they arise.
• Welcoming duties – including early or late arrivals and weekends.
• Fulfilling practical hospitality and facility duties as given by the warden, such washing up, fire alarm testing tasks amongst others.
• Regularly participating in Bible Studies and similar faith base activities
• Befriending or pastoral support for residents

Ensuring high standards throughout Commonwealth House

• Distributing post to residents
• Respond to emergencies, liaise with tradesman.
• Ad-hoc tidying of the hostel, reporting maintenance tasks and broken or missing equipment.
• Washing bathmats, check lint trap
• Yearly inventory

Support for the Warden

• Out of hours cover – typically two weekends per month and 2-night Mon-Fri.
• Safety responsibilities including fire Marshall and alarm tests.
• Administrative tasks which might include support with booking system when requested by the warden.

Community Breakfast

• Organising the daily communal breakfasts (Monday-Friday)
• Checking stock and buying food and other provisions.
• Food preparation of breakfast, e.g. setting up, preparing porridge and clearing away.
• Ensuring compliance with food safety regulations for preparation and storage of food.

PERSON Specification

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Hospitality experience ( can be in church context)
• Experience of working in a multicultural context essential (previous experience in an international missionary context would be an advantage)
• Competent in standard office software packages (email, MS Office)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent communication skills
• High level of flexibility and adaptability
• A hospitable, friendly personality, able to put new residents at ease.
• A practical person, ready to engage with facility tasks (e.g. change a light bulb, respond to emergencies.
• Highly reliable, with good attention to detail.
• Self-motivated
• Excellent spoken and written English.

OTHER ASPECTS OF THE ROLE

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate would be an advantage. If without certificate, it’s essential to complete the training in the first two weeks of being in the job.
• There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the post holder is a practising Christian.
• An enhanced DBS check will be required.

The post holder is expected to make St Aldates their church and to become part of St Aldates’ missional activity. St Aldates is a charismatic evangelical church. For more information, please see www.staldates.org.uk

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Employer: Commonwealth House

Remuneration: £24.030,76 pro rata per annum. (£16.237 for 25 hours per week )

Accommodation: Free accommodation for the applicant during employment.

Pension: NEST Corporation pension scheme, 3% EC, 5% employee

Part-time: 25

Annual leave: 28 days including bank holidays prorated.

Place of work: 4-8 and 11 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP, UK

Please apply to Matthias Ogi with your CV and cover letter via commonwealthhouse@gmail.com