View Vacancy - AUH - UAE Director of Corporate Services D6(L)

The British Embassy Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for UAE Director of Corporate Services.

The jobholder will lead our busy and dynamic network of Corporate Services Teams at the British Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This is a senior administration role, responsible for ensuring the Corporate Services Team deliver effective management, finance/ procurement, human resources, estates, transport/ logistics, and security services to the UAE Network. 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 role sits at the heart of the Senior Management Team, helping to shape the Embassies’ constant improvement agenda. The successful candidate will be an experienced professional with proven managerial, strategic, and financial skills; with an eye for detail; an innovative self-starter, who thrives on challenge; has the drive and resilience to see a job through; sets and observes high standards of customer service; and has understanding and sensitivity to manage host government requirements.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Financial oversight of the UAE budget (£7.25m) to ensure spending delivers value for money in support of the Embassies’ business plans, coordinating with 20 Partners Across Government (PAGs). Ensure FCO policies and procedures are applied and complied with and that all audit and assurance requirements are met. Oversight of the Mid-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) exercise and financial forecasting, working collaboratively with the Regional Finance and Procurement Hub in Manila. (20%)
• Human Resources leadership (250 local staff and 100+ UK-based staff), including overall workforce planning (providing support for expansion of the platform) and leadership on local staff management for UAE, including supporting the team on complex cases, misconduct procedures, and compliance with FCO policy and local labour practices. Work collaboratively with the Regional Human Resources Hub in Abu Dhabi. Oversight of the Government Relations Team, ensuring compliance with host government requirements and maintaining key contacts within the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). (20%)
• Procurement oversight for the whole of UAE network. Ensuring team negotiate and administer value for money contracts in compliance to corporate policies and best practices in joint contracts between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Ensure regular compliance checks, working closely with the Finance and Procurement Hub in Manila. Identify opportunities to move towards regional procurement. (20%)
• Oversight of estates management (owned, rented, and three compounds), ensuring Embassies maximise the benefits of the estate and meet Health & Safety and Security standards. Oversee expansion of the PAG presence on platform. Contribute to decisions on potential major building and refurbishment projects. Key role in management committees. (15%)
• Relationship management to ensure that the Embassies support the needs of government departments represented on the platform. Ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the One HMG Service Level Agreement, ensuring excellent customer service and acting on customer perceptions. Act as Board Secretary for the UAE Management Board. (15%)
• Other activities (10%): Crisis preparedness - Play a central role in ensuring that the Embassies are fully prepared for any crisis, including leading on logistics and staff welfare during a crisis; Business continuity - Responsible for producing and testing a one HMG business continuity plan; Change management - Play a central role in communications for change management programmes and oversee engagement with the FCO’s Corporate Capability Programme; Internal corporate communications.

Key competencies required:

• 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.
• 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.
• Making Effective Decisions - Being objective; using sound judgement, evidence, and knowledge to provide accurate, expert, and professional advice. Creating evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks, and solutions; maximising return while minimising risk and balancing social, political, financial, economic, and environmental considerations to provide sustainable outcomes.
• 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.

• At least 5-10 years of management or administration experience in a managerial capacity, with at least 2 years of senior management experience; 
• Experience in accounting, finance, budgets, human resources, estates, compliance, or security;
• Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. With a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines;
• Strong organisational, analysis, and time management skills, with very good attention to detail;
• Proven self-starter and with personal drive. Able to work independently and as a part of a team;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a strong customer focus. Ability to work with contacts and colleagues at all levels;
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral;
• Strong IT/ computer skills using MS Office;
• A college/ university level degree;
• Willingness to work additional hours as necessary.