View Vacancy - AUH/ DXB - Government Relations Manager (EO)

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 (Operations and Corporate Services)
Protocol, Visits and Events

The British Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a vacancy for a Government Relations Manager on a fixed-term contract for two (2) years.

This is a busy and challenging role enabling Her Majesty’s Government’s (HMG) work in the UAE. It requires excellent communication, collaboration, and customer focus as well as organisation, discretion, sensitivity, and the ability to problem-solve as well as to help shape longer-term improvements.

The successful candidate will oversee and deliver, on behalf of all Embassy staff, all documentary elements required to effectively work and live in the UAE. Whilst inheriting a range of tasks, there will be emphasis on improvement and refinement.

This role is designed to bring together all work strands relating to managing all Embassy staff into one team that will oversee the full life cycle of staff working at the Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This will include all staff services encompassing Diplomatic and Emirates IDs; business travel; vehicle/ driving licences; on-boarding/ off-boarding; guidance to UKB on local policies and process..

To do this effectively, the successful candidate will need to work with a range of partners within the Embassy, as well a number of external partners, including but not exclusively the ICP, MoFAIC, and our like-minded embassies. Given the breadth and variation of the role, a strong sense of organisation will be required to build and manage processes, which compete for time.

In order to effectively achieve this, the jobholder will have a small team who will require management and leadership to build a cohesive team that is forward looking, proactive and transparent.

Whilst the role may be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the jobholder will be required to visit the Embassy in the other Emirate, subject to COVID-19 restrictions and to operational needs.


Duties and responsibilities:

- Delivery of Government Relations Office (GRO) Management function

  • Smoothly on-board all new starters as quickly as possible, keeping new starters and mangers/ department informed of process;
  • Provide ongoing support to staff on the platform, ensuring they have relevant documentation, access to guidance, and relevant support to ensure smooth running of the business;
  • Oversight of GRO functions, providing timely updates on work streams and delivery against SLAs;
  • Management and leadership of team to deliver against objectives;
  • Maintain effective records and use data smartly and in accordance with GDPR, to remove double handling and better utilise resource;
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with key partners, helping to deliver key objectives;
  • Oversee and ensure key guidance and documentation is updated and readily available to all staff;
  • Assist the central visits teams with protocol elements of VVIP visits;
  • Respond to exceptional cases in a measured and control way, without impacting on core operations.

- Manage GRO team

  • Working with Corporate Services (CS) management, help to develop and implement the purpose, objectives, and ways of working of the team;
  • Ensure there is a clear vision and direction for the team, composed of four people (three Government Relations Officer and one Translator);
  • Role model and help embed clear, collaborative, and agile ways of working.

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 and any response to a crisis.


Key behaviours required:

  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • 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.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Eligibility:

  • Applications will only be considered from those who are currently residing in the UAE and with a current and valid UAE resident visa. Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their UAE resident visa/ Emirates ID as part of their application.
  • Applicants must be available in a full time capacity.
  • Applicants must be able to obtain a valid UAE police clearance certificate.

The ideal candidates should possess the following qualifications, skills and experience:

  • Previous experience as Protocol/ Government Relations Officer/ Manager or as HR Manager, ideally in a major multinational company or in another embassy/ foreign diplomatic mission or equivalent.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Resourcefulness in solving problems and demonstrates good judgement. Ability to respond quickly and flexibly to meet multiple and changing priorities, and drive delivery of outcomes and overcome obstacles, especially when working with and through others.
  • Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure, with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines whilst maintaining attention to detail.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, self-motivated, results-driven and customer service oriented. Keenly aware of customer requirements and how to drive customer satisfaction.
  • A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively across teams. Demonstrates courtesy, discretion, and consideration in dealing with stakeholders.
  • Strong IT computer skills and in using MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
  • Excellent communication skills in Arabic, both verbal and spoken.
  • Experience of working with government and other official authorities in UAE.
  • Experience in using database management systems.
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
16 August 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
24 months
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, Dubai
British Embassy
1
AED
16,871
10 October 2022

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 16,871 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.

Effective 01 January 2022, the Embassy will be open from Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 18:00. Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week (including breaks), and specific working hours for this role will be confirmed at a later time.

Whilst the role may be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the jobholder will be required to visit the Embassy in the other Emirate, subject to COVID-19 restrictions and to operational needs. The jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will also be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evenings/ weekends). 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 required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a copy of UAE resident visa and passport (all in one file); 2) a covering letter/ 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 required.

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

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (UAE local time) on 16 August 2022.

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. Any assessments and/ or interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action.

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 Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are 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.