View Vacancy - SRR - Health Policy Advisor C4(L)

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Health Policy Advisor on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2022. There is a strong possibility of extension of the contract depending on performance and operational requirements.

This is an exciting time of change and reform in Saudi Arabia, with Vision 2030 economic reforms providing unprecedented opportunities for the UK’s healthcare sector. This role will be key to informing strategy and advancing UK offer to capitalise on Saudi’s Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia is a high priority bilateral relationship for the UK. We already have a strong developing relationship on the trade side, led by Healthcare UK and the Department for International Trade (DIT). However there is also growing appetite for greater interaction on health policy.

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

The jobholder will develop healthcare-focused policy collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia, centred on the opportunities presented by Saudi’s Vision 2030 economic reforms. The jobholder will understand the policy context, develop a strategy for co-operation, and facilitate exchange of expertise between the two countries.

This will involve engaging with the Saudi Health Ministry, other parts of the Saudi government as relevant, and key stakeholders across the sector, as well as with the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and other key UK stakeholders to identify partnership opportunities. The role will also provide a secretariat function for the work of the Special Representative for Health and be responsible for the delivery of the annual Joint Executive Committee which is the UK/Saudi Arabia Healthcare Policy dialogue. The jobholder will be expected to play a key role in COVID-19 reporting which will involve working with other Partners Across Government (PAGs) and colleagues across the Embassy and external stakeholders.

The jobholder will be expected to understand and report on global health challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as be the Embassy liaison point of contact on the changing health policies that stem as a result from updates to the UK and Saudi Arabian health ministries as the pandemic progresses.

The jobholder will also work alongside colleagues from the Department for International Trade (DIT), under the Prosperity Section of the Embassy to develop a more in-depth understanding of the Saudi health sector; to develop an engagement strategy that also advances UK international health aims; and to work with DHSC in implementing that strategy. The jobholder will identify UK expertise across Whitehall and beyond to align with relevant Saudi requirements – matching Saudi need to our own key strengths and areas where we have competitive advantage.

The jobholder will be comfortable with both policy issues and with project management, as well as able to add value bringing a strategic approach. This is a visible role across the Embassy and with a wide range of Whitehall partners, and the jobholder 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. The jobholder will also have an opportunity to be supported to understand the subject matter and DHSC as an organisation as applicable.

Duties and responsibilities:

- Political (60%)

• Deliver in-country Prosperity components of the cross Whitehall Gulf Strategy, specifically those related to Healthcare policy;
• Lead on translating the Saudi Arabian ‘Vision 2030’ programme, National Transformation Plan, and other relevant programmes into UK policy engagement;
• COVID-19 reporting: Managing the weekly Situation Report for UK stakeholders; engaging with Saudi and UK contacts on policy developments as a result of changing regulations; understanding and promoting the UK’s global values in managing the pandemic and Building Back Better;
• Conduct political engagement on specific commercial events;
• Engage, analyse, and report on developments in healthcare policy, with a view to political and commercial opportunities – passing these to the DIT team in Saudi Arabia;
• Horizon scan and match UK sectoral expertise to growth sectors in Saudi Arabia to pre-position UK;
• Monitor risks and contribute regular reporting to Ministers and Vision 2030 boards;
• Provide a secretariat function to the UK’s Special Representative on Healthcare;
• Support Ministerial visits including but not limited to: the annual Joint Executive Committee and those of the UK’s Special Representative on Healthcare for Vision 2030.

- Projects (30%)

• Bid for and manage bilateral Prosperity-related projects under the cross Whitehall Gulf Strategy Fund and others;
• Lead on national engagement and implementation of healthcare prosperity-related projects;
• Support engagement of the UK Healthcare sector, working closely cross Whitehall and DIT in Saudi Arabia, to facilitate trade visits and secure commercial opportunities.

- Communications (10%)

• Inform and steer healthcare prosperity-related communications at Post;
• Report back to DHSC, Healthcare UK, DIT, other PAGs and governance boards for V2030 activity.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis.

Key competencies required:

• Collaborating and Partnering - Being a team player, 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 appropriately and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. Being approachable, delivering business objectives through creating an inclusive environment, encouraging collaboration, building effective partnerships including relationships with Ministers and welcoming challenge however uncomfortable.
• Engaging Internationally - Leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives, while living the UK Civil Service values and serving the UK public. Understanding UK Government aims in the wider UK and international context and developing productive relationships with those external contacts and partners to help deliver UK objectives. Being aware of cultural sensitivities in your area of responsibility whilst valuing and modelling professional excellence and expertise.
• Making Effective Decisions - Using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to arrive at accurate, expert and professional decisions and advice. Being careful and thoughtful about the use and protection of government and public information to ensure it is handled securely and with care. Reaching evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions and creating a secure culture around the handling of information. Aiming to maximise return while minimising risk and balancing a range of considerations such as social, political, financial, economic, legal and environmental 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.

• Previous experience in healthcare policy or in the healthcare sector, ideally in the UK or KSA.
• Understanding of 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 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).