View Vacancy - SRR [internal vacancy] - Head of Corporate Services (temporary cover) SEO

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Head of Corporate Services (HCS) to cover a period of leave starting from 26 February 2023. This is a full time, fixed term contract initially for four (4) months, but may be extended for up to six (6) months depending on operational need. This role is for a remote working position with the opportunity to travel to Post.

The jobholder will lead KSA Network’s busy and dynamic Corporate Services Team. This is a Senior Executive Officer (SEO) position responsible for ensuring the team deliver effective management of Finance/ Procurement, Human Resources, IT, Estates, Maintenance, Transport, Logistics, and Security services to the network.

The KSA Network is a complex platform, with up to 10 government departments represented across Riyadh and Jeddah. The Head of Corporate Services sits at the heart of the Senior Management Team helping to shape the Embassy’s reform agenda. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Strategic financial management of the KSA budget (GBP 4m) to ensure spending delivers value for money in support of the network’s business plans, coordinating with up to 10 PAGs. Ensuring FCDO policies and procedures are applied and audit and assurance requirements are met. Oversight of financial planning.
• Human Resource management (up to 250 CBS and UKBS), including the expansion of the platform and leadership on CBS management for KSA and implementation of new CBS terms and conditions. Production of recommendations from review of pay/ benefit and recruitment/ retention data, enhanced performance management, and internal corporate communications and compliance with FCDO policy and local KSA labour practises. Oversight of the Government Relations Team, ensuring compliance with host government requirements.
• Procurement responsibility for KSA. Ensuring the team negotiate and administer value for money for contracts in compliance with corporate policies and best practises, with joint contracts between Riyadh and Jeddah. Oversee the processing of payments, oversee the management of budget forecasts, and deliver financial reports to HMA, DHM, and various committees as required.
• Oversight of Estate Management (owned, rented), ensuring the network maximises the benefits of the estate and meet Health & Safety and Security Standards. Oversee the expansion of the PAGs presence on platform. Contribution and oversight of the Post Housing Committee.
• Relationships management with up to 10 different Partner Across Government stakeholders to ensure that the network meets the needs of the government departments represented at Posts. Ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the Service Level Agreement. Represent One HMG services and provide guidance to all PAGs where appropriate.
• Crisis preparedness, business continuity, and change management.
• Oversight of up to 60 employees. Managing Corporate Services across two locations.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the Line Manager and Senior Management. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens. 

Key behaviours required:

• Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• 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.
• Developing Self and Others - Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.
• Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.

Eligibility:

The position is available to current FCDO staff within the MENA region who meet the Essential criteria and who currently hold SC(O) level of security clearance.

• Previous Corporate Service experience within the FCDO, ideally of at least six (6) months at a similar or equivalent level.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to engage at all levels internally and with external stakeholders. Ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience of managing geographically dispersed teams, ideally a broad spectrum of people within a diverse business environment.
• Excellent budget management skills
• Experience of managing projects and contracts.
• Good interpersonal skills and team player with willingness to work across boundaries. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with contacts and colleagues.
• Strong customer service skills to manage competing priorities. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with all stakeholders. Able to show discretion in handling any sensitive matters, with the trust of all involved.
• Excellent team management skills. Resilient, and flexible, and demonstrates a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills and resourcefulness in solving problems. Ability to anticipate and take initiative to avoid problems or fix them, and to use information and experience to solve problems effectively. Able to work independently and react calmly to situations that may arise, without constant supervision.
• Strong organisational skills and keen attention to detail. Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and in a fast-paced environment and adapting to changing aims without compromising the quality of the work.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Strong IT skills and proficiency in MS Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).