View Vacancy - SRR - Culture, Sports and Tourism Policy Advisor C4(L)

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

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Culture, Sports and Tourism 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 in Saudi Arabia, with the expansion of cultural space creating unprecedented opportunities for the UK in culture, tourism, and sport sectors. 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 strongly developing relationship on the trade side, led by the Department for International Trade (DIT). However there is also growing appetite for greater policy interaction. The post-holder will also work closely with colleagues in the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in London to provide policy expertise and identify and promote the UK. DIT colleagues would then take forward any commercial opportunities.

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 facilitate the delivery of our cultural, tourism and sport policy objectives and strategically engage directly with the Saudi government, focusing on the opportunities for the UK sectors as part of Saudi’s Vision 2030 economic reforms. They will identify relevant UK expertise across Whitehall and beyond that aligns with Saudi requirements - matching Saudi need to UK key strengths and areas where the UK has competitive advantage.

The jobholder will understand the aims and policy context in the UK and Saudi Arabia, implement a strategy for cooperation, and facilitate exchange of expertise between the two countries to identify relevant partnership opportunities. The jobholder will need to engage and coordinate with relevant Saudi government agencies, as well as UK colleagues at DCMS, DIT, and the British Council.

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. 

 

Duties and responsibilities:

- Projects (60%)

  • Be the docking/ coordination point between: DCMS, British Council, DIT, Prosperity and Chancery teams in Riyadh, British Consulate General Jeddah, and British Trade Office Al Khobar to ensure UK activity on culture, tourism, sports and entertainment is joined up in country;
  • Engage with Saudi Culture, Sport, Tourism, Ministries and Government Organisations to develop areas for policy collaboration;
  • Development and implementation of complex policy and delivery plans for multiple priority areas, aligned to UK capacity and Saudi requirements;
  • Provide effective and efficient programme management of Her Majesty’s Government’s (HMG) culture programmes, establishing structures to implement the delivery of support for reforms across priority policy areas;
  • If required, bid for and manage HMG’s culture programmes under the Gulf Strategy Fund;
  • Support engagement of the UK cultural, and entertainment sectors, working closely with British Council and DIT in Saudi Arabia, to facilitate trade visits and secure to commercial opportunities.

- Political (30%)

  • Deliver in-country Prosperity components of our Country Business Plan, specifically those related to culture, tourism and sport;
  • Lead on translating the Saudi Arabian ‘Vision 2030’ programme, National Transformation Plan, and other relevant programmes into UK policy engagement;
  • Conduct political engagement on specific commercial events;
  • Engage, analyse and report on developments on culture, tourism and sport, with a view to political and commercial opportunities;
  • 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 Whitehall;
  • Support Ministerial visits.

- Communications (10%)

  • Inform and steer cultural and entertainment Prosperity-related communications at Post;
  • Report to DIT, DCMS, British Council, and Whitehall on Vision 2030 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 the cultural, sports or tourism sectors, ideally in the UK or KSA.
  • Understanding of UK government 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).
  • Arabic language skills.
  • Previous experience in Prosperity or economics for foreign policy related work.
  • Knowledge of KSA’s political and cultural landscape.
  • Experience of working in the UK or KSA public sector/ government.
7 September 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
1
SAR
17,763.04
1 December 2021

Eligibility:

The position is available to Saudi Nationals and current holders of valid Saudi residence permits or transferable iqamas. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their sponsorship to the British Embassy. 

 

Working hours and remuneration:

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

Salary details:

  • Base Salary including Eid bonus - SAR 13,890.44
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 3,472.61 (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 from 08.00 to 15.00 from 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.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and 2) a covering letter stating how you meet the requirements of the role.

Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the required competencies in the Competence-Based Questions section of the online application form.

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

The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 07 September 2021.

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 in 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.