The British Embassy Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for a Senior Political Officer, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) on a fixed-term contract for three (3) years.
This is an interesting and stretching role where the jobholder will make a direct contribution at the heart of the UK’s work in the UAE. It requires excellent communication, collaboration, and the ability to shape the Embassy’s approach through detailed knowledge, analysis and understanding.
The successful candidate will take on a broad portfolio, working on high priority issues for the UK’s co-operation with the UAE. This includes working on shared objectives in International Development, Regional Priorities, and taking ownership of the Embassy’s approach to stakeholder management.
The role sits at the centre of the Embassy’s Political Team, which leads on the key government-to-government relationship between the UK and the UAE. This includes providing strategic leadership on how the UK can take forward shared priorities with the UAE government on high profile activity and objectives. Supporting the engagement of very senior UK government stakeholders with their equally senior counterparts in the UAE government requires a high level of professionalism, strategic thinking and attention to detail.
The jobholder will need to build a strong network of contacts within the UAE to support their understanding and analysis of the local context and political dynamics.
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 promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Duties and responsibilities:
Political analysis
Stakeholder management
Leadership on regional collaboration
Support on thematic priorities
Support on wider Embassy delivery
The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.
Key behaviours required:
Eligibility
Applicants must be able to obtain an appropriate level of UK Security Clearance and be able to obtain a valid UAE police clearance certificate. Higher clearances can be granted only to certain nationalities. For this reason, candidates must be of British, American, Australian, Canadian, or New Zealand nationality in order to gain and maintain the level of clearance required.
Language requirements:
Language: English Level of language required: Fluent spoken and written.
Working hours and remuneration:
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, which includes 25 days of leave per annum (calculated pro-rata).
The salary for this role is AED 24,911 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.
This role is for a full-time employment, on a fixed term contract basis for three (3) years, subject to six (6) months’ probationary period. The contract may be extended, subject to satisfactory performance and on on-going business requirement.
The Embassy is open from Monday to Friday from 0700 to 1800 hrs. The Employee’s normal weekly working hours are forty (40) Monday to Friday (inclusive). This is inclusive of one-hour paid rest break for each five (5) hours worked; the timing of the rest break shall be approved by the Employee’s Line Manager and in accordance with operational requirements.
The jobholder will be required to be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and will involve frequently working out of hours (evening and/ or weekends) during visits by senior stakeholders and events.
The Embassy has an active Learning and Development Committee, and the whole of Post is committed to providing the time and resources for staff to develop personally and professionally. The 70/20/10 learning and development model is applied in a flexible manner, with extensive informal and formal opportunities readily available.
The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.
How to apply:
Interested candidates must include to their online application form:
Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
Closing date for applications is at 23:55 UAE local time on 10th September 2024
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Internal candidates (i.e., those employed by the British Embassies in Abu Dhabi & Dubai) applying for this position are advised to inform their current line managers upon submission of their application.
Process:
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two to 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 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.
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 tentative and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures before employment can begin. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
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 Abu Dhabi is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
