View Vacancy - SRR - Education Policy Advisor (HEO)

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Policy

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for an Education Policy Advisor on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2025. There is a possibility of extension of the contract depending on performance and operational requirements.

The jobholder will lead the further development of the UK-Saudi education partnership, working with the British Council and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). This will entail supporting visits by UK Ministers, the UK International Education Champion Sir Steve Smith, and senior officials. The jobholder will also identify and develop opportunities for practical bilateral collaboration on education. 

 

Duties and responsibilities

  • Track and develop deep expertise on UK and Saudi education policy and systems.
  • Advise the British Embassy in Riyadh and UK Government on education, with specific reference to Saudi Arabia.
  • Coordinate UK Government engagement on education in Saudi Arabia.
  • Collaborate with UK Government colleagues to shape and organise regular remote and in-person engagement by UK Ministers, Sir Steve Smith, and senior officials with Saudi partners.
  • Spot and take forward opportunities for UK and Saudi Arabia to exchange expertise and experience on education policy, including curriculum development, early years education, teacher training, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and vocational training.
  • Support the British Council in enabling UK and Saudi higher education institutions to pursue common initiatives, e.g., centres of excellence.
  • Work closely with Department for Business and Trade (DBT), British Council, and Department for Education (DfE) colleagues to support them in identifying and pursuing opportunities for British business in the education sector.

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 job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as and when required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis.

 

Key behaviours required:

  • Leadership - Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive
  • Working Together - Form 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 candidate must be able to secure a local residence and work permit in Saudi (iqama) OR already have the right to work and reside in Saudi.
  • The British Embassy provides visa sponsorship. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.
  • 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.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication. Able to simplify complexities and adapt communication so others can understand.
  • 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.
  • Holds at least a bachelor’s degree.
  • Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
  • Academic background and or professional experience in education.
  • Public sector experience.
  • Knowledge or experience of project/ programme management and track record of delivering agreed outcomes.
  • Arabic language skills, both written and spoken.
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Working Together
18 June 2024
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
35
7 months
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
1
SAR
19,731
monthly
4 August 2024
31 March 2025

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

Monthly salary details:

  • Base Salary - SAR 15,385
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 3,846 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Travel Allowance - SAR 500 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Total - SAR 19,731

*Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form. Spouses/ Dependents of UKBS officers working at the Embassy are not eligible to Housing or Travel Allowance.

No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08:00 to 15:00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10:00-15:00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs.

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 (evening and weekend), especially during visits and events. 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 subject to a 90-day probationary period.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their iqama under the Embassy's sponsorship.

Application process:

Interested candidates must include with their online application form

1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);

2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and

3) specific examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours required.

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

The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 18 June 2024.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Internal candidates (i.e., those who are currently employed by the British Embassy Riyadh/ British Consulate General Jeddah) applying for this position should consider informing their current line manager upon submission of their application.

 

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

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The start date mentioned in the 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 and reference checks.

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and in the UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidate’s profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.  

 

 

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.