View Vacancy - AUH/ DXB - UAE Corporate Services Strategy, Communications and Project Manager C4(L)

The British Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a vacancy for a Strategy, Communications and Project Manager under the UAE Corporate Services (CS) for a fixed-term contract of two (2) years.

The UAE Network is one of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) most complex platforms, with 20 UK government departments represented across the two locations. The Corporate Services Section comprises of nearly 50 staff split between the Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, operating on a one team and single UAE platform basis.

The Section exists to provide high quality corporate services which facilitate the effective running of both embassies; through excellent customer service and professional management of the UAE platform, serving the range of HMG partners who operate on it. Corporate Services is responsible for delivering critical enabling services in the following areas: Estates, Finance, Government Relations and Protocol, HR, and IT.

The jobholder will work at the strategic centre of the platform’s Corporate Services department, working to the Director and Deputy Director of Corporate Services to deliver continuous improvement in customer service delivery and communications. You will manage a range of cross-cutting work streams and projects to achieve this (working closely alongside the Corporate Services Team) and you will be deployed flexibly to provide additional management investment in key areas of Corporate Services operations where required, including as part of the Embassy’s COVID-19 response.

The jobholder will need to attend both locations on a regular basis, but the exact permanent location and the number of days spent at each post will be agreed with the jobholder. They will, however, provide support to both posts regardless of their permanent location and regular travel between the two posts is required.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Contribute to the senior management of the UAE Corporate platform, continuously reviewing business policies and processes to propose new and more imaginative ways of working which deliver a more effective, efficient, and professional Corporate Services operation. As part of this, identify key risks and obstacles to delivery and develop solutions.
• Take the lead in reviewing and enhancing key cross-cutting business processes and projects which embrace a range of different Corporate Services functions; ensuring these run as efficiently and effectively as possible.
• As required, and on a project basis, provide management co-ordination, focus and additional capacity in key areas of Corporate Services operational delivery, including in the context of the Embassy’s COVID-19 response and the complex range of corporate issues this entails.
• Develop and facilitate effective implementation of Corporate Services policies to ensure an effective, sustainable, and consistent approach to key areas of operations; provide advice to Corporate Services senior management and partners on the effects of changes in policy and/ or practice.
• Assess and future-proof UAE Corporate Services business processes and policies against wider strategic changes to Corporate Services delivery in the FCO under the Corporate Capability Programme (CCP); in so doing help to develop the Corporate Services strategy for the UAE.
• Be a change manager, supporting the Corporate Services senior leadership team. Working across Corporate Services functions to devise/ revise Corporate Services policies and processes; lead on CCP changes including professionalising CS and what it means to our staff.
• Deliver effective communications and outreach with internal and external stakeholders on Corporate Services provision; managing customer communications, customer relationships, and feedback processes. Track delivery against internal customer requirements and secure their buy-in and contribution to Corporate Services operations.
• Responsible for monitoring and communicating Corporate Services performance effectively to the Corporate Services senior management team, reporting against service delivery standards through the Corporate Services senior management team to the Embassy’s Management Board. As part of this, interpret and analyse performance against key performance metrics.
• Responsible for delivering effective assessment, analysis, and communication of corporate risk on the UAE platform; working with stakeholders to identify, agree, and track implementation of appropriate mitigations.

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, COVID-19 response, and any other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens.

Key competencies required:

• 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. Creating and contributing to a culture of innovation and allowing people to consider and take managed risks. Making use of alternative delivery models including digital and shared service approaches wherever possible.
• Managing a Quality Service - Being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. Effectively planning, organising, and managing time and activities to deliver a high quality and efficient service, applying programme and project management approaches to support service delivery. Creating an environment to deliver operational excellence and creating the most appropriate and cost-effective delivery models for services.
• Leading and Communicating - Leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction, and enthusiasm. Managing and engaging with people with honesty and integrity, and upholding the reputation of the department and 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. Working collaboratively, sharing information, and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. Delivering business objectives through creating an inclusive environment, encouraging collaboration and building effective partnerships.
• Seeing the Big Picture - Having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider needs. Focusing your contribution on the activities which will meet organisational goals and deliver the greatest value. Scanning the current context and taking account of wider impacts to develop long-term implementation strategies that maximise opportunities, adds value, and supports sustainable growth.
• Delivering at Pace - Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. Building a performance culture to deliver outcomes with a firm focus on prioritisation and addressing performance issues resolutely, fairly and promptly. Providing the focus and energy to drive activities forward through others and encourage staff to perform effectively during challenging and changing times.

• At least 2-4 years of experience working at a managerial level.
• Degree level education, preferably in a related field (e.g., business administration, finance, HR).
• Prior experience of working in an embassy setting or in the delivery of corporate functions elsewhere.
• Proven project management skills and experience, preferably in a government and/ or customer service delivery environment.
• Experience of successfully delivering change and improvement; including improving communications, systems, and structures to enable better results.
• Strong analytical skills; an ability to assimilate information from a range of sources, using it to reach sound, evidence-based, and realistic conclusions.
• A self-starter and quick learner with the ability to quickly add value on a complex and demanding range of issues.
• Ability to build relationships quickly with a range of stakeholders and collaborate with them effectively to deliver results.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to engage at all levels internally and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) in English. Ability to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Very good level of IT skills and proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).