View Vacancy - SRR - Translation Officer (AO)

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)
Chancery

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Translation Officer on a fixed term contract for two (2) years.

The main purpose of this role is to provide translation services for the Embassy. The Embassy in Riyadh is one of the busiest Missions in the region. This requires the regular translation of documents to support the Embassy’s core functions, and as such will need to be able to fully operate orally and in writing in fluent Arabic and English.

The jobholder will also provide ad-hoc interpretation and analysis and will need to demonstrate a close understanding of the political and social environment in Saudi Arabia and quickly develop an understanding of UK interests and priorities. 

 

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Translate various diplomatic notes, technical documents, newspaper articles, memorandums of understanding, and letters of the Embassy.
  • Occasionally provide interpretation for meetings.
  • Use initiative to help improve working practices across teams. Support the wider team during busy periods and leave. Participate in Embassy corporate activity, including crisis planning and exercises.

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 or head of section. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. 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.

 

Key behaviours required:

  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

 

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.
  • Native/ Near native level of communication skills in English and Arabic, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Relevant work experience in translation. Excellent Arabic<>English translation skills. Accurate typing and proofreading skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a strong customer focus. Collaborative approach to colleague and stakeholder partnerships.
  • Excellent organisational ability. Proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload. Proactive approach to problem solving.
  • Strong team-working skills. A team player who is also capable of working on their initiative and who is adaptable to changing priorities. 
  • Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
  • Experience working in an embassy/ foreign diplomatic mission, international organisation, or large company in a similar capacity.
  • Knowledge of and/ or an interest in international relations.
  • Holds at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
23 June 2024
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
35
24 months
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
1
SAR
8,383
monthly
25 August 2024

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

Monthly salary details:

  • Base Salary - SAR 6,306
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 1,577 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Travel Allowance - SAR 500 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Total - SAR 8,383

*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/ weekend). 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.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include with their online application form

1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English;

2) a covering letter/ motivation essay (in English) 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 (in English).

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

The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 23 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, dependent 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.