View Vacancy - AUH - Regional Inclusion Partner D6(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 (Operations and Corporate Services)
RCSH (Regional Corporate Service Hubs)

The British Embassy Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for Regional Inclusion Partner on a fixed-term contract for two (2) years.

This newly created role is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to one of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) top priorities – to tackle bullying, harassment, and discrimination (BHD) at the work place. The role aims to improve team dynamics and working relationships across UK diplomatic missions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with the purpose of delivering interventions to raise performance, improve engagement, resolve conflict, and make our working environments as inclusive as possible.

The jobholder will design, develop, and implement tools, solutions, and communications to improve leadership at all levels and tackle and reduce experiences of bullying, harassment, and discrimination (BHD) in UK diplomatic missions across their region. They will engage with, encourage, and influence leaders and stakeholders to improve our people’s experience of working life.

The jobholder will travel extensively and partner with a wide range of stakeholders across the MENA region and in the UK, offering advice and practical support on cultural issues and ways to maximise engagement and inclusivity. The role will be line managed by the Head of the MENA Regional HR Hub and will have a strong relationship with the Head of the Management Advice Service (MAS). The role will also work closely with the London-based HR Business Partner team.


Duties and responsibilities:

- Implementation (40%)

  • Stakeholder management and coaching - Working as a strategic partner, coach, develop, and advise senior leaders and managers on inclusive leadership; strengthen the capability of managers and leaders throughout the region to deal with barriers to inclusion; drive a culture of continuous improvement focused on personal performance, relationship management, engagement, and well-being.
  • Employment relations - Deliver expert, pragmatic advice to managers in Posts and work with HR teams to ensure consistency in decision making in accordance with FCO practice; in partnership with HR teams, anticipate and advise on potential employee relations issues and deliver business appropriate employee relations strategies for individual Posts; advise, investigate, and support Posts with complex and/ or escalated employee relations cases working in partnership with Regional HR Hub.
  • Support a culture shift towards individual responsibility and informal resolution of issues, e.g. through promoting and/ or delivering mediation.

- Analysis (20%): Apply a pragmatic and proactive approach to identifying cultural norms, nuances, and cultural gaps with respect to inclusion, both within the region and at individual Posts, and with reference to FCO goals. Identify options for addressing gaps and a timeline for delivery.

- Design and development (20%)

  • Based on diagnostic findings, provide consultative advice to stakeholders regarding possible solutions, working collaboratively with other teams, and design appropriate interventions/ developments including the means by which impact will be measured.
  • Develop and co-own Organisation Development (OD) and other interventions, along with Post Heads/ leaders and other stakeholders, to support culture change.

- Evaluation (20%): Undertake systematic and regular review of impact against KPIs, e.g., a measurable reduction in bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Apply results of evaluation to revised delivery options.


Key competencies required:

  • Leading and Communicating - Leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction, and enthusiasm. Supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of stakeholders. Establishing a strong direction and a persuasive future vision; managing and engaging with people with honesty and integrity, and upholding the reputation of the organisation.
  • 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. Delivering objectives through creating an inclusive environment, encouraging collaboration, and building effective partnerships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.
  • Changing and Improving - Being responsive and innovative, and seeking out opportunities to create effective change. Being open to change, suggesting ideas for improvements to the way things are done, and working in 'smarter', more focused ways. Continuously seeking out ways to improve policy implementation and build a leaner, more flexible, and responsive organisation. Creating and contributing to a culture of innovation and allowing people to consider and take managed risks.
  • Seeing the Big Picture - Having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs, and focusing your contribution on the activities which will meet the organisation's goals and deliver the greatest value. Scanning the political context and taking account of wider impacts to develop long term implementation strategies that maximise opportunities to add value and support economic, sustainable growth.

The successful candidate must be able to work at pace and be highly proactive to maximise impact. Establishing a knowledge of best practice from within the FCO and externally will be important from the outset to provide advice to senior colleagues and effect organisational change. Some of these conversations may be challenging as you tackle misconceptions around management and communication and encourage leaders to look at working culture and their own behaviours.

A proven track record in employee relations casework, organisational development, and leadership development is essential for this role. On casework, the successful candidate will be someone who can understand the context on the ground and, through careful and considered analysis, read the situation and advise what needs to be done. They must have advanced communication skills in English, both written and spoken, to be able to communicate effectively with people (from lowest to highest grade) and come up with suitable solutions.

Experience of managing a diverse and dispersed group of stakeholders and strong cultural awareness and conflict resolution skills are required for this role. Highly developed interpersonal skills are also needed to be able to establish trust and confidence with others, including senior members of staff, and leverage relationships in order to tackle problems before they escalate. The scope of action required will include providing solutions to implement for specific complex case work (e.g., investigation, mediation, organisational design, etc.) ensuring there is consistency of action.

As well as a proactive nature, this role will require someone with sound judgement as autonomy and impact will be high.

Degree-level education in HR, Learning & Development, Organisational Development, Psychology, or related field is also essential for this role.

Professional certification in HR (CIPD or equivalent) is highly desirable. Previous experience of working in and/ or knowledge of the cultural landscape in the GCC/ MENA region is advantageous but not required.


31 January 2020
Grade 7 (G7)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
24 months
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
British Embassy
1
AED
38,091
1 April 2020
31 March 2022

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including: 25 days of annual leave per annum, on-site swimming pool, gym, and sports facilities.

Salary is at AED 38,091 per month.

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Standard working hours are from 07:30 to 15:06, including a lunch break of 36 minutes, from Sunday to Thursday.

This role is based in Abu Dhabi but will cover the entire MENA region, and will involve travel within the region and to the UK for business purposes. The successful candidate must be able to secure visas for these countries.

Flexible and remote working to meet individual needs will be considered in line with FCO and Embassy policies.

Successful candidates will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

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 competencies outlined above.

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

Closing date for applications is at 11:55 PM (UAE local time) on 31 January 2020.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.


Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

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 job advert is a 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.


The British Embassy Abu Dhabi is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce, and valuing difference.

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.