View Vacancy - AUH - Senior Political Officer (HEO)

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

The British Embassy Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for a Senior Political Officer on a fixed-term contract for three (3) years.

This is an interesting and stretching role where the jobholder will make a direct contribution at the heart of the UK’s work in the UAE. It requires excellent communication, collaboration, and the ability to shape the Embassy’s approach through detailed knowledge, analysis and understanding.

The successful candidate will take on a broad portfolio, working on high priority issues for the UK’s co-operation with the UAE. This includes working on shared objectives in International Development, Regional Priorities (such as in Asia), and taking ownership of the Embassy’s approach to stakeholder management.

The role sits at the centre of the Embassy’s Political Team, which leads on the key government-to-government relationship between the UK and the UAE. This includes providing strategic leadership on how the UK can take forward shared priorities with the UAE government on high profile activity and objectives. Supporting the engagement of very senior UK government stakeholders with their equally senior counterparts in the UAE government requires a high level of professionalism, strategic thinking and attention to detail.

The jobholder will need to build a strong network of contacts within the UAE to support their understanding and analysis of the local context and political dynamics. 

 

Duties and responsibilities:

- Political analysis

  • Provide insight and political analysis to support senior engagements and strategic priorities on areas of UK-UAE collaboration.
  • This includes providing high quality oral and written briefing as well as analytical products on both UAE international and domestic priorities.
  • Work collaboratively with other colleagues across the UK Embassy in the UAE to share understanding and insight.

- Stakeholder management

  • Develop a strong network of stakeholders within the UAE to support the UK’s understanding of priorities and opportunities.
  • Lead on a stakeholder management approach to support senior engagement with UAE decision makers.

- Leadership on regional collaboration

  • Take ownership for specific geographic areas of shared UK-UAE priorities to support joint collaboration on delivery.
  • The specific areas are to be agreed with the jobholder, dependent on their expertise and the strategic priorities, but are likely to include for example, support to UK’s engagement on UAE’s approach in Asia, and the Indo-Pacific.

- Support on thematic priorities: Develop a strong understanding of the UK’s approach to international development to support on UK-UAE shared development priorities and humanitarians responses.

- Support on wider Embassy delivery: Play an active and supportive role to the wider Embassy delivery, taking on responsibility for key activities – such as supporting visits by senior stakeholders, and in support of wider Embassy events – as required.

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 other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens. 

 

Key behaviours required:

  • 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.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Working Together - Forming effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds; sharing information, resources, and support.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others. 

 

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 for this role.

  • Previous experience of carrying out high quality political analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
  • Substantive (more than 3 years) experience of working in, or on, politics in the Middle East, with a UK or international organisation.
  • University degree in International Relations or related subject.
  • Strong understanding of Middle Eastern Political dynamics.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organisational, customer handling, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work autonomously and have strong planning and self-management skills.
  • Excellent organisational skills, with proven ability to plan and prioritise tasks.
  • Customer-focused approach and confidence to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
  • Strong IT skills, including proficiency in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
  • Master’s degree or higher in International Relations or related subject.
  • Arabic language skills (both written and spoken).
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
18 August 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
36 months
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
British Embassy
1
AED
22,500
17 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 22,500 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.

The successful candidate 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, especially during events and visits. Flexible working arrangements may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

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

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) and 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 this information will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is at 11:55 PM UAE local time on 18 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.

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 Embassy Abu Dhabi is 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.