View Vacancy - SRR - Second Secretary, Prosperity C4(L)

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.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Economic and Prosperity , Chancery

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Second Secretary for Prosperity on a fixed-term contract until 01 September 2020.


The British Embassy in Riyadh is a large team, delivering key priorities against a wide range of cross-Whitehall objectives. The environment is challenging and the issues can be complex and fast-moving.

Saudi Arabia is a high priority bilateral relationship for the UK. This is an exciting time of change and reform in Saudi Arabia with Vision 2030 economic reforms providing unprecedented opportunities. Based in the Prosperity Section of the Embassy, the analysis and strategy produced by the jobholder will be central to informing and advancing the UK offer to capitalise on Saudi’s Vision 2030.

The jobholder will be comfortable with both policy issues and with project management, as well as able to add value bringing a strategic approach. You will develop policy collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia and provide policy analysis centred on the opportunities presented by Saudi’s Vision 2030 economic reforms. You will undertake analysis on Prosperity policy issues: economics, trade policy, structural reform, labour, and market access. This will involve engaging with counterparts in the Saudi government as relevant, UK businesses, key stakeholders across Whitehall, and Embassy colleagues.

Working alongside colleagues from across the Embassy and Prosperity colleagues who are focusing on sectoral areas (Healthcare, Education, Culture and Sport, Financial Services, and Energy), the jobholder will also need a wide strategic lens to develop a more in-depth understanding of the Saudi economy and Vision 2030.

This is a visible role across the Embassy and with a wide range of Whitehall partners, and you will have the opportunity to gain political analysis and project delivery experience, as well as develop economic and wider prosperity skills, influencing, and public diplomacy capabilities.


Broad responsibilities include:

- Political and Prosperity

  • Deliver in-country the Prosperity components of the cross-Whitehall Gulf Strategy;
  • Lead on translating the Saudi Arabia ‘Vision 2030’ programme and National Transformation Plan into UK policy engagement, with a view to political and commercial opportunities;
  • Develop analysis on Prosperity policy issues: economics, trade policy, structural reform, labour, and market access;
  • Conduct political engagement on specific very large and politically significant commercial events;
  • Engage and analyse/ report on developments in economic and Prosperity policy, including to support cross-government engagement in-country;
  • Horizon scanning and matching of UK sectoral expertise to growth sectors in Saudi Arabia to pre-position the UK;
  • Conduct political engagement to tackle market barriers;
  • Advocate and engage on regulatory reform;
  • Support Ministerial and other high level visits.

- Projects

  • Bid for and manage bilateral Prosperity-related projects under the Integrated Activity Fund and others;
  • Lead on national engagement and implementation of regional Prosperity-related projects.

- Communications

  • Inform and steer Prosperity-related communications at post;
  • Report back to cross-Whitehall stakeholders and governance boards for Vision 2030 activity.

- Line management of one (1) Economic Liaison Officer and one (1) Vision 2030 Liaison Officer.

The above list is not exhaustive and the job holder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.


Key competencies required:

  • Collaborating and Partnering - Creating and maintaining positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation to help get business done. Working collaboratively, sharing information, and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. Encouraging collaboration and building effective partnerships including relationships with Ministers.
  • Engaging Internationally - Leading internationally and engaging staff, contacts, and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives. Understanding UK Government aims in the wider UK and international context and developing productive relationships with external contacts and partners to help deliver UK objectives. Adapting approach and being aware of cultural sensitivities while still promoting UK values.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Being objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice. Showing clarity of thought, setting priorities, analysing and using evidence to evaluate options before arriving at well-reasoned justifiable decisions. Creating evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks, and solutions; maximising return while minimising risk and balancing social, political, financial, economic and environmental considerations to provide sustainable outcomes.
  • Delivering at Pace - Focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. Providing the focus and energy to drive activities forward through others and encourage staff to perform effectively during challenging and changing times.
  • Previous relevant experience in economics or Prosperity-related work, ideally in the UK or KSA.
  • Understanding of Her Majesty's Government (HMG) policy-making on Prosperity issues.
  • High standard of project and programme management skills and track record of successful project delivery.
  • Excellent relationship development and management skills, capable of operating at all organisational levels. Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders in public and private sectors. Recognises the importance of developing a strong business network.
  • Cultural awareness and business knowledge of the relevant market. Functional knowledge of local business community and trends.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Ability to coordinate and contribute to strategy development and business planning.
  • Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. With a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines.
  • Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload; and a proactive approach to problem solving.
  • Team player who is capable of working on their own initiative and manage others.
  • Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
  • Arabic language skills.
  • Knowledge of economics for foreign policy.
  • Knowledge of KSA’s political and cultural landscape.
  • Experience of working in the UK or KSA public sector/ government.
19 October 2019
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
9 months
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
1
SAR
17,372.67
1 December 2019
1 September 2020

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Salary details:

  • Base Salary including Eid bonus - SAR 13,578.14
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 3,394.53 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Travel Allowance - SAR 400 (subject to eligibility)*

*Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form.


No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

Normal working hours for the Embassy are 08.00 to 15.00 Sunday to Thursday. This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week.

The jobholder should also be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will also be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening and weekend), especially during events and visits.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.

Eligibility:

The successful applicant will be required to obtain the necessary security clearance. Higher clearances can be granted only to certain nationalities. For this reason, candidates must be of British, American, Australian, Canadian, or New Zealand nationality in order to gain the level of clearance required.

The position is available to holders of Saudi residence permits or transferable iqamas. Successful candidates will be required to transfer their sponsorship to the British Embassy.


How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and 2) a covering letter to their online application form. Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above.

Applications that do not include these information will not be considered.


Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (KSA local time) on 19 October 2019.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.


Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances, medical clearance and reference checks.


The British Embassy Riyadh is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Saudi Arabia employment law.

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.

This opportunity is closed to applications.