Job Description:

May 2022 Page 1 of 4

JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY INFORMATION

Job Title: Head Gardener

Department: Horticultural

Contract Type: Permanent

Job Purpose: To support the Line Manager (LM) in the execution and co-ordination

of horticultural maintenance in a pre-defined group of cemeteries

and plots within an Area Sector. To manage cemetery staff, ensuring

they efficiently and economically maintain the cemeteries and

memorials to the standards specified by the Commission.

Job Band: B

Reports to: Senior Head Gardener

Direct Reports: Gardening /Horticultural team within their group

Other Key Contacts: Regional Manager

Senior Head Gardener

Colleagues in own and other teams

Local authorities, maintenance contractors and suppliers

Represent the Commission at ceremonies and/or meetings

Provide direction and other information to Cemetery

visitors/members of the public

Financial

Responsibilities:

As delegated

Location: Alexandria, Egypt

Working hours: Saturday to Thursday 42 Hours - 07:00 to 14:30 30 mins break

Travel: May require travelling within Egypt

Right to work: Must have the right to work in Egypt

May 2022 Page 2 of 4

BACKGROUND

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) honours and cares for the men and women of

the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be

forgotten. Funded by six Member Governments, our work began with building, and now maintaining,

cemeteries at 23,000 locations all over the world. Today, over a century after we first began, our

work continues through our staff, supporters and volunteers who preserve our unique cultural,

horticultural, and architectural heritage and ensure that the stories of those who died are told.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES and ACCOUNTABILITIES OF THE ROLE

General

Carry out manual horticultural maintenance, renovation work and caretaking duties,

undertaking tasks such as mowing, edging, weeding, pruning, pesticide application and

planting, in accordance with training and Horticultural modules.

Report to Line Management any structural defects noted, any development in the

surroundings or environment of cemeteries and memorials which are observed during

maintenance duties.

Maintenance of mechanical equipment including, but not limited to, general servicing, cleaning

oil/filter change and minor repairs.

Assist with organisation, planning and management of the horticultural and caretaking work of

both mobile and static gardening staff.

Visit sites within the group at regular intervals, as instructed by the SHG/RM/LM, to ensure

satisfactory maintenance is being carried out to the Commissions standards.

Assist with preparation of maintenance and measurement records at appropriate weekly,

monthly and other specified intervals.

Support the LM in ensuring safe working practices. Ensure the Commissions Health & Safety

policies and procedures are adhered to at all times. Set a good behavioural example. Follow

correct procedure for accidents at work & near misses. Compile compiling paperwork and

investigations as necessary.

Keep all horticultural machinery, irrigation systems, equipment installations, properties, and

vehicles in good running order, adhering to specified maintenance schedules and instructions.

When required report any structural defects noted as well as any development in the

surroundings of cemeteries and memorials.

Represent the Commission at ceremonies and meetings.

Report any vandalism or degradation to the appropriate authorities and inform SHG/RM/LM.

Undertake tree risk assessments.

Financial Management

Submit monthly expenditure claims.

Responsible for cemetery expense payments including utility bills.

When authorised to do so, organise the purchase of machinery, supplies and equipment,

ensuring best value and within agreed specifications.

Risk Management

Ensure all the Commissions safety procedures and safe working practices are observed, and

that all lawful safety instructions are followed at all times.

May 2022 Page 3 of 4

Team Performance

Assist the LM in the management of staff attendance by planning for annual leave and other

types of absence, including the reporting of sickness absence to Area Office and conducting

return to work interviews.

Prepare and compile the annual appraisal and PDP for direct reports, holding regular reviews.

Assess and report on the individual performance of direct reports, including promotion

recommendations, termination, and retention in service.

Take necessary disciplinary action in accordance with agreed procedures and record the action

taken. Report immediately to the SHG/RM/LM on any member of the team whose work or

behaviour gives cause for concern.

Provide instruction and training to team members in accordance with the Commissions

modular training programme.

Assist the LM in ensuring that team members follow correct procedure and regulations.

If required, stand in for the SHG in their absence, taking charge of staff, equipment, vehicles,

and resources, deploying these in the most efficient and economical manner possible.

Job Functional Knowledge

A considerably experienced gardener with the ability, after formal training, to understand and

apply technical knowledge to work routines and procedures.

Business Expertise

Ability to understand how both own and other gardeners roles/duties within the cemetery

relate to and integrate with each other.

Leadership

Co-ordinates and reviews tasks they have delegated to gardeners for quality and progress.

Problem Solving

Demonstrates an understanding of a variety of work procedures; selecting appropriate, and

well defined, alternatives to standardised procedures when required.

Nature of Impact

Direct impact through the quality of guidance (i.e., services; information) provided to gardeners

within the cemetery.

Area of Impact

Mainly on own team and indirectly on the wider Canada, America, and Pacific Area team.

Interpersonal Skills

Involves the regular exchange of information, interacting with both fellow colleagues and

visitors in the cemetery.

May 2022 Page 4 of 4

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education and Knowledge

Essential

High level of literacy in their first language.

Passed or ability to learn the Commissions Horticultural Modules.

Desirable

A good command of written and spoken English.

A good level of computer literacy or the ability to learn quickly.

Experience

Essential

2 years work experience in team management in a horticultural environment.

Or at least 6 years experience working in horticulture, with 5 years managing a horticultural

team.

Skills and Abilities

Manual and management skills.

Effective communication and listening skills.

Decision making skills, within required limits.

Takes responsibility for action.

Good organisational and time management skills.

Priorities well and has the ability to adapt to exceptional circumstances.

Sense of service delivery.

Good resource management.

Committed to continuous professional development.

Everyone who works for us, or with us, shares our Values, which are formed around our

concept of CARE (Commitment, Ambition, Respect and Excellence). We are proud and

committed to ensuring we bring this to life every day, for ourselves, each other and those

who lost their lives

Health and Safety responsibility for self and others

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Your key duties are set out within this job description. From time to time, you may be required to perform

such other reasonable duties that fall outside your job title or key job duties, should this be necessary to

meet the needs of the CWGC.

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