View Vacancy - SRR - Community Liaison Officer (AO)

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Community Liaison

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for Community Liaison Officer (CLO), job grade Administrative Officer (AO), on a fixed term contract for one (1) year, with the possibility of renewal.

The Community Liaison Officer (CLO) works closely with the Embassy management for the well-being of all staff at the Embassy, with their primary function as advocate for and provision of support to UK-Based staff (UKBS) deployed from the UK to Saudi Arabia on family and community issues, principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare, and communication.

The CLO is a visible point of contact for the Embassy on family and community issues, providing outreach and communication, acting as a sounding board, helping UKBS and their families to get settled in on arrival, and supporting them on departure. The jobholder works closely with Embassy management and Corporate Services to gather and feed in information, advocate on behalf of British Embassy staff from a community perspective, and support measures that promote a happy and thriving community 

Duties and responsibilities:

- Gather and disseminate key information for UKBS and their spouses/ partners and families, including for those not yet at the Embassy, and, where appropriate, Country Based Staff (CBS) on flexible deployment

  • This should include comprehensive information on options for spouse/ partner employment in country; options for children’s education and childcare; access to adult education, career, and training opportunities for partners/ spouses; recreational facilities; and social matters.
  • Lead on completing and producing a variety of reports for the Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA).
  • Regularly update local fact sheets and reports for Saudi Arabia, Welcome Pack for new arrivals, and the CLO’s MS Teams site.

- Support new UKBS arrivals at the Embassy

  • Welcome all staff coming to the Embassy and their accompanying families to ensure as smooth an integration as possible into the life of the Embassy community.
  • Arrange and conduct an orientation at the start of their stay and following up to check that the settling in process is working and being a source of referral and ongoing support, including where questions, problems, and difficulties arise. Provide a short Post Community induction.
  • Also provide support at the end-of-tour, such as signposting them on how to sell surplus items or how to access a furniture float once their goods have been packed for shipping.

- Advocate for UKBS and their families and the Embassy network more generally

  • Ensure issues of community importance are heard by Senior Management and in key management committees, particularly the Housing and Post Security committees.
  • Press for solutions to any systemic problems faced by the Embassy community, for example on the maintenance of recreational facilities.
  • Act as the chief link between the Embassy and DSFA in London.

- Communicate and reach out on community and social matters across the Embassy to all staff

  • Build up networks and get known across the Embassy community, as well as with key Embassy contacts such as international schools, key medical clinics, and Diplomatic Quarter Authority.
  • Be visible, participate in, and host events to help the Embassy family get to know each other outside of work and to promote wellbeing and a sense of community.
  • Manage and run an informative WhatsApp group (or groups) in line with internal policy on social media use. Ensure members are aware of key information, opportunities, and upcoming events to help bring to the community together.
  • Advertise details of DSFA career support services and courses to eligible UKB spouses/ partners at the Embassy.
  • Promote a range of social activities suitable for different interests and personal circumstances that are open to the whole Embassy community (UKBS and CBS).

- Promote general welfare and wellbeing in the British Embassy community

  • Provide a confidential listening ear for any problems and difficulties arising in the community, signposting partners, and families to sources of assistance available (i.e., Welfare Officers, Employee Assistance Programme, Human Resources, etc.) and flagging any systemic problems with the British Embassy management.
  • Complete relevant trainings such as mental health first aid, wellbeing, and being a Fairness Champion
  • Complete learning on Crisis Preparedness Management and be involved in the Embassy’s crisis management plans.
  • Extend support to the British Consulate General in Jeddah, ensuring that staff and their families receive similar community support and integration assistance as provided in Riyadh.
  • Coordinate and promote the flu vaccination program for all staff and their families, ensuring timely communication and access to vaccination services.

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. 

Key behaviours required:

  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
  • Changing and Improving - Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
  • Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with a strong and empathetic customer focus and the ability to respond to a range of customers’ needs. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with stakeholders across all levels.
  • Exceptional planning and organisational skills and keen attention to detail. Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines without compromising the quality of the work.
  • Ability to think logically/ laterally and be able to display sound judgement and common sense.
  • Ability to hold sensitive and confidential information and act with discretion at all times.
  • Strong customer focus and responsive to customer needs and able to treat others with respect and courtesy regardless of work pressures.
  • Strong IT skills and in using MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
  • Background in counselling, pastoral/ caring, or similar supportive role would be helpful.
  • Experience of working for the UK Government.
  • Understanding of living and working overseas as a UKB dependant or previous overseas deployment experience.
  • Good knowledge of Riyadh and/ or wider Saudi Arabia.
  • Finance experience.
Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture
13 July 2025
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
1
SAR
8,619.49
monthly
7 September 2025

Eligibility:

The successful candidate must already have the right to work and reside in Saudi (iqama). The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

Working Conditions and Remuneration:

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

Monthly salary details:

  • Base Salary - SAR 6,495.59
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 1,623.90 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Travel Allowance - SAR 500.00 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Total - SAR 8,619.49

*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 for a fixed term contract for one (1) year. The British Embassy Riyadh employs Country Based Staff in line with Saudi Labour Law. Local law specifies that contracts must be issued for a fixed period (one year). Contracts for full time positions are renewable at the end of the term.

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.

The jobholder will be required to 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 may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

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

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their iqama under the Embassy's sponsorship.

How to apply:

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. 

Please refrain from the use of AI based tools when completing your application, this is to ensure a fair competition for all candidates and helps maintain the integrity process. If the use of AI is identified, your application may be rejected.

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

The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 13 July 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 two-three months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and with UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidates’ 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 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 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.

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.