View Vacancy - SRR - Finance Policy Adviser C4(L)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Economic and Prosperity

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Finance Policy Adviser on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2022. There is a strong possibility of extension of the contract depending on performance and operational requirements.

This is an exciting time of change in Saudi Arabia with Vision 2030 economic reforms providing unprecedented opportunities for the UK’s financial services sector. Saudi Arabia is a high priority bilateral relationship for the UK on a range of areas, including security and prosperity. We already have a strongly developing relationship on trade and investment; however, there is also growing appetite for greater policy interaction – particularly on financial services and fiscal policy.

Saudi Arabia looks to be the regional hub for financial services, and the country already has one of the largest banking sectors in the Gulf, as well as a young and tech-savvy population. The UK, being a global leader in financial services and home of the London Stock Exchange, is in a prime position to develop expertise and support Saudi Arabia with their economic reforms.


The British Embassy in Riyadh is a large and diverse team, delivering key priorities against a wide range of UK Government objectives. The environment is challenging and the issues can be complex and fast-moving.

The jobholder will coordinate the UK Government’s engagement with Saudi Arabia on policy issues covering financial services, as well identifying key opportunities in the sector, including: Fintech, Sustainable/ Green Finance, Investments and Capital Markets. The goal will be to: develop a mutual understanding of the aims and policy contexts for both sides; enhance the strategy for cooperation; and facilitate exchange of expertise between the two countries.

This role will be key to facilitate gains from the UK being a partner of choice for financial reforms and advancing the UK offer to capitalise on Saudi’s Vision 2030. The jobholder will facilitate the delivery of our financial policy objectives and strategically engage directly with the Saudi government. You will identify relevant expertise across government ministries and regulators in the UK that align with Saudi requirements, matching Saudi need to key UK strengths and areas where the UK has competitive advantage. You will also act as the Secretariat for the broader UK engagement with the Vision 2030 reforms in Saudi Arabia, and will work closely with other Embassy officers and the Department for International Trade (DIT). You will need to be comfortable with both policy issues and with project management, as well as able to bring a strategic approach.

The jobholder will work closely with DIT colleagues at Post and in London to provide policy expertise and identify and promote commercial opportunities. DIT colleagues will then take forward the business-to-business elements of the offer.

This is a visible role across the Embassy and with a wide range of UK Government partners. You will have the opportunity to gain political analysis and project delivery experience, as well as develop economic and wider prosperity skills, influencing, and public diplomacy capabilities.


Duties and responsibilities:

- Political/ Analytical

  • Deliver in-country Prosperity components of the UK Government’s Gulf Strategy, specifically those related to financial and fiscal policy.
  • Act as a docking and coordination point between various UK institutions focused on financial services (including the Bank of England, HM Treasury, HM Revenue and Customs, DIT, and the UK Science and Innovation Network).
  • Ensure UK activities on financial services are joined up across the Saudi network.
  • Lead on translating the Saudi ‘Vision 2030’ programme, National Transformation Plan, and other relevant programmes into UK policy engagement.
  • Conduct political engagement on specific commercial events related to finance.
  • Engage, analyse, and report on developments in finance policy, with a view to political and commercial opportunities.
  • Horizon scan and match UK sectoral expertise to growth sectors in Saudi Arabia to pre-position UK.
  • Monitor risks and contribute to regular reporting to UK Ministers and to Vision 2030 boards.
  • Provide a secretariat function to the UK’s Special Representative.
  • Support UK Government Ministerial visits and those of the UK’s Special Representatives on Vision 2030.

- Projects

  • Bid for and manage bilateral Prosperity-related projects under the cross-Whitehall Integrated Activity Fund and others.
  • Lead on collaboration between KSA Finance Ministry and HM Treasury (plus other UK institutions) to facilitate exchange of expertise between the two countries, focusing on Vision 2030 opportunities.
  • Support engagement of the UK finance sector, working closely across UK Government departments in London and DIT in Saudi Arabia to facilitate trade visits and secure commercial opportunities.

- Communications

  • Inform and steer financial policy Prosperity-related communications at Post.
  • Report back to DIT, HM Treasury, and a range of governance boards for Vision 2030 activity.

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. At the discretion of the line manager, you may be required to work on other sectors if necessary.


Key competencies required:

  • Collaborating and Partnering - Being a team player, 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 appropriately and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. Being approachable, delivering business objectives through creating an inclusive environment, encouraging collaboration, building effective partnerships including relationships with Ministers and welcoming challenge however uncomfortable.
  • Engaging Internationally - Leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives, while living the UK Civil Service values and serving the UK public. Understanding UK Government aims in the wider UK and international context and developing productive relationships with those external contacts and partners to help deliver UK objectives. Being aware of cultural sensitivities in your area of responsibility. Valuing and modelling professional excellence and expertise.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Using sound judgement, evidence, and knowledge to arrive at accurate, expert and professional decisions and advice. Being careful and thoughtful about the use and protection of government and public information to ensure it is handled securely and with care. Reaching evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions and creating a secure culture around the handling of information; and aiming to maximise return while minimising risk and balancing a range of considerations such as social, political, financial, economic, legal and environmental to provide sustainable outcomes.
  • Delivering at Pace - Focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. Keeping a firm focus on priorities and addressing performance issues resolutely, fairly and promptly.
  • Previous experience in finance policy or in the financial services sector, ideally in the UK or KSA.
  • Understanding of UK Government policy-making on Economic and Prosperity issues.
  • High standard of project and programme management skills and track record of successful project delivery.
  • Excellent relationship development and management skills, capable of operating at all organisational levels. Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders in public and private sectors. Recognises the importance of developing a strong business network.
  • Cultural awareness and business knowledge of the relevant market. Functional knowledge of local business community and trends.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Ability to coordinate and contribute to strategy development and business planning.
  • Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. With a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines.
  • Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload; and a proactive approach to problem solving.
  • Team player who is capable of working on their own initiative and manage others.
  • Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook).
  • Arabic language skills.
  • Previous experience in project management.
  • Previous experience in prosperity or economics-related work.
  • Knowledge of KSA’s political and cultural landscape.
  • Experience of working in the UK or KSA public sector/ government.
20 May 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
9 months
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
1
SAR
17,763.04
1 July 2021
31 March 2022

Eligibility:

The position is available to Saudi Nationals and current holders of valid Saudi residence permits or transferable Iqamas. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their sponsorship to the British Embassy. 

 

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Salary details:

  • Base Salary including Eid bonus - SAR 13,890.44
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 3,472.61 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Travel Allowance - SAR 400 (subject to eligibility)*

*Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form.

No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

 

Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08.00 to 15.00 from Sunday to Thursday. This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week.

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

 

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and 2) a covering letter stating how you meet the requirements of the role.

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.

The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 20 May 2021.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.


Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step in the recruitment process will be contacted.

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed 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, medical clearance and reference checks. 

 

The British Embassy Riyadh is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Saudi Arabia employment law.

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.