View Vacancy - DXB - Community Liaison Officer A2(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 (Residence and Support Staff)
Community Liaison

The British Embassy Dubai has a vacancy for a Community Liaison Officer (CLO).

The jobholder will work closely with Post Management for the well-being of all staff at Post. The role being a key liaison point between UK-based staff and families (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office [FCDO] and Partners Across Government [PAG]) and Corporate Services and the Senior Management team on family and community issues, principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare and communication. You will be required to have strong links with senior management, relevant FCDO departments, and the Diplomatic Services Family Association’s (DSFA) London office.


Duties and responsibilities:

  • Information gathering for UK-based officers and their spouses/ partners and families (including for those not yet at Post) and Local Staff on flexible deployment. To include (where applicable) information primarily on spouse/ partner employment at Post; children's education through completion of separate HR School and Nursery Information Sheets of authorised schools at Post; a comprehensive information pack on childcare at post; feedback on adult education; career and training opportunities; single officer and foreign-born spouse/ partner issues; recreational facilities; social matters; and completion of DSFA Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Report.
  • Welfare at Post - Welcoming all staff on posting/ temporary duty/ flexible deployment and accompanying families to ensure as smooth an integration as possible into the life of the Post community. Following up to check that the settling in process is working, being a source of referral and support where questions, problems and difficulties arise. Providing a short Post Community induction. The jobholder is not expected to be medically trained and will have no medical responsibility.
  • Advocate for UK-based staff and families in addressing issues of importance with Post Management, including as their representative on Post Joint Management Boards, evacuation/ contingency planning and housing committees, and as the chief link between Post and DSFA in London.
  • Information management of Post Welcome Pack and CLO homepage on Post’s Intranet/ SharePoint site; input to, update, and review of Post Report and Fact Sheet. CLOs should be accessible and able to provide information in areas including pre-Posting information, spouse/ partner employment at Post; child and adult education, childcare, recreation facilities and training opportunities. Complete Cost of Living returns. As Language Officer, arrange language courses for UK-based officers, maintaining contacts with both schools and tutors offering immersion training.
  • Arrivals and departures - Relay accommodation requirements and arrivals details to Corporate Services colleagues and Post Housing Committee. Ensure incoming officers are aware of arrivals procedures. Welcome new arrivals to the Embassy and help them to integrate into life in Dubai. Review arrivals experience to help Post improve processes. Provide advice to outgoing officers and their families. Management of the domestic equipment float.
  • Emergency planning - The jobholder must be aware of and involved in any Post contingency and evacuation plans, take part in the Embassy emergency planning and any response to a crisis affecting UK citizens and acting as the Welfare Lead in a crisis situation. All CLOs should complete the Crisis Preparedness Management eLearning on FCO GLO.

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 competencies required:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Changing and Improving - Being responsive, 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.
  • 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 organisation.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a strong customer focus and the ability to respond to a range of customers’ needs. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with stakeholders.
  • Ability to multi-task and work under pressure. Ability to work and act without close supervision.
  • Exceptional planning and organisational skills. Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines without compromising the quality of the work.
  • Flexible approach and resourceful in solving problems.
  • A team player who is capable of working on their initiative and who is adaptable to changing priorities.
  • Strong IT skills using MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams) and internet-based applications.
  • Excellent command of spoken and written English. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
  • Background in counselling or similar supportive role would be helpful.
  • Experience of working for the UK Government.
  • Experience of overseas postings.
1 October 2020
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
38
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Dubai
British Embassy
1
AED
11,108
1 December 2020

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including: 25 days of leave per annum; on-site swimming pool, gym, and sports facilities (subject to COVID-19 restrictions).

Salary is at AED 11,108 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.

The jobholder will be required to be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will also be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and 2) a covering letter to their online application form.

Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the required competencies in the Competence Based Questions section of the online application form.

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

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 01 October 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 Dubai 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.