The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Translator, job grade Administrative Officer (AO), on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2026 to cover a maternity leave.
We are looking for a strong translator to join the Embassy’s translation team, translating mostly from English to Arabic, but to some extent also from Arabic to English. The team is at the heart of the Embassy’s work, facilitating the exchange of information and ideas between United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
You will be responsible for influential and sometimes widely published translations in which accuracy and the right nuance will be vital. The material translated will range widely in subject, matter and style, and will be commissioned by all sections of the Embassy. You will need to work to a consistent standard under pressure, delivering excellent translations against tight deadlines.
You will also provide cover for the Senior Translator.
Main duties and responsibilities:
The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the line manager or head of section. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.
Key behaviours required:
Eligibility:
The successful candidate must already have the right to work and reside in Saudi without sponsorship from the British Embassy.
Working hours and remuneration:
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.
Monthly salary details:
*Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form. Spouses/ Dependants of UKBS officers working at the Embassy are not eligible to Housing or Travel Allowance.
No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
This position is to cover a period of maternity leave until 31 March 2026. The British Embassy Riyadh employs Country Based Staff in line with Saudi Labour Law.
This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08:00 to 15:00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10:00-15:00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs.
Given the nature of the role, the jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening and weekend). Flexible working arrangements will be considered based on operational requirements upon agreement with the Line Manager and in line with the Embassy’s policies.
The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.
How to apply:
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 2) a motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and 3) examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.
Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 16 November 2025
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Internal candidates (i.e., those who are currently employed by the British Embassy Riyadh/ British Consulate General Jeddah) applying for this position should consider informing their current line manager upon submission of their application.
Process:
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and in the UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidate’s profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
The start date mentioned in the advert is tentative 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 and reference checks.
The FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The British Embassy 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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
