View Vacancy - SRR - Executive Assistants to Her Majesty’s Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission B3(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 (Policy & Political roles)
Chancery

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for two (2) Executive Assistants to Her Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA) and to the Deputy Head of Mission (DHM).

The main purpose of the roles is to provide secretarial, administrative and organisational support to the HMA the DHM.


Duties and responsibilities:

  • Responsible for the HMA/ DHM schedule, diary, inbox management, and travel arrangements.
  • Proactively manage HMA’s/ DHM’s meetings to include preparation of relevant briefs and reading material.
  • Liaise with a wide range of departments within the British Embassy’s Saudi Arabia Network.
  • Build relationships with a wide range of contacts in Saudi Arabia; meeting and greeting visitors of all seniority. Arrange refreshments for meetings as required.
  • Maintain and manage key documents, registers, diaries, and databases which help the Chancery and wider KSA Network to function smoothly and deliver the Country Business Plan effectively
  • Support VIP visits including arranging meetings.
  • Develop and maintain links across the KSA Network which help the HMA/ DHM keep their finger on the pulse and allow you to give them handling advice
  • Act as Secretary to the Post Management Board and Crisis Committee.
  • Organising and communicating the Embassy meeting calendar for larger Network meetings, e.g., Post Management Board, Post Delivery Board, Project Board, all staff meetings, and crisis committee meetings.
  • Support corporate communications work on behalf of the HMA/ DHM, including commissioning drafts, editing and sending messages to all staff, and producing presentations for all staff meetings and crisis committee meetings.
  • Provide leave cover for the Executive Assistant to HMA/ DHM as required.
  • Liaise with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) colleagues on applications received from high level contacts with UK interests.
  • Coordinate with the Residence and Events Manager to ensure receptions, meetings, and events are well planned and delivered efficiently.
  • Co-ordinate updating of the Crisis Management Plan and participate in crisis planning and response.
  • Take minutes of meetings and distribute as required.
  • Co-ordinate monthly checks.
  • Co-ordinate leave chart for senior members of staff.
  • Maintaining the Chancery strategy and action plan.
  • Manage and maintain records of Chancery’s direct entertainment expenses (DEE)/ representational requirements (RR) spend in support of Chancery objectives in the strategy.
  • Wider support to Chancery colleagues as required.
  • Take part and assist in duties for the wider Embassy, and actively participate in a corporate objective.

The above list is not exhaustive and the job holder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.


Key competencies required:

  • Leading and Communicating - Showing our pride and passion for public service, leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction, integrity and enthusiasm. Championing difference and external experience, supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens. Managing and engaging with people in a straightforward, truthful and candid way, and upholding the reputation of the organisation.
  • Collaborating and Partnering - Being a team player who creates and maintains 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. Building effective partnerships including relationships with Ministers and welcoming challenge however uncomfortable.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Minimum of three years’ experience as a Personal/ Executive Assistant.
  • Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken, and holder of a suitable B1 Level or higher qualification. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely. Accurate typing and proofreading skills.
  • Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines, without compromising the quality of the work.
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills. Ability to respond quickly and flexibly to meet multiple and changing priorities.
  • A strong team player and able to work collaboratively and effectively with contacts and colleagues.
  • Ability to maintain a range of contacts to build effective working relationships. Ability to work closely with senior staff and their contacts.
  • Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with all stakeholders. Able to show discretion in handling any sensitive matters, with the trust of all involved.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Arabic language skills
17 April 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
2
SAR
11,097.26
20 June 2021

Eligibility:

The successful applicant will be required to obtain the necessary security clearance. 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 the level of clearance required.

The position is available to 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 8,557.81
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 2,139.45 (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 should also be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will also be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening and weekend), especially during events and visits. In addition, due to the high turnover of the workload within Chancery, there may be a minor element of pre-authorised out of hours work to assist the HMA/ DHM with short notice issues, though this should be exceptional rather the norm.


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 17 April 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.