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
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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.
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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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