AUH/ DXB - Community Liaison Officer (AO)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The British Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a vacancy for two (‎2)
Community Liaison Officers (CLO) for a fixed term contract of three (‎3) years.
The jobholder will work closely with Post Management for the well-being of all
staff at Post, with primary function as advocate for and provision of support
to UK-based staff and families (FCDO and PAGs) on family and community issues,
principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare and communication.
You will need to develop strong working relationships with Senior Management,
the wider Corporate Services Team, relevant Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office (FCDO) departments, and the Diplomatic Services Family
Association's (DSFA) London office.
This is a full-time role, with one jobholder each in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai.
This role is also suitable for a job share, where (normally) two jobholders
share responsibility and split the job between them. Job sharing applicants
should clearly indicate in your cover letter that you are applying for job
share and include how many hours/ days per week you will be available to work.
Should you already have a job share partner, both applicants will need to
submit an application separately, and provide the name of your job share
partner in your cover letter.
If you are applying for the full-time role but would consider a job share
arrangement should another suitable partner be available, please also indicate
this in your cover letter.
The split in hours will be agreed between the job share partners and line
management. Annual leave, salary, and any other benefits will be split on a
pro-rata basis according to the ratio of working hours compared to a full-time
position.

Duties and responsibilities:
* Information gathering for UK-based officers and their spouses/ partners and families (including for those not yet at Post) and Country Based Staff (CBS) on flexible deployment. To include (where applicable) information primarily on spouse/ partner employment at Post; children's education through completion of separate HR School and Nursery Information Sheets of authorised schools at Post; a comprehensive information pack on childcare at post; feedback on adult education; career and training opportunities; single officer and foreign-born spouse/ partner issues; recreational facilities; social matters; and completion of DSFA Spouse and Partner Annual Employment Report. Complete Cost of Living survey returns twice a year.
* Welfare at Post - Welcoming all staff on posting/ temporary duty/ flexible deployment and accompanying families to ensure as smooth an integration as possible into the life of the Post community. Following up to check that the settling in process is working, being a source of referral and ongoing support including where questions, problems and difficulties arise. Providing a short Post Community induction. The jobholder is not expected to be medically trained and will have no medical responsibility. They will coordinate with local medical providers to make arrangements for the annual flu vaccination for staff and families.
* Advocate for UK-based staff and families in addressing issues of importance with Post Management, including as their representative on management boards, crisis and housing committees, and as the chief link between Post and the DSFA in London.
* Communicating effectively on community and social matters across Post to all staff and receive notification of staff arrivals/ departures. The CLO should participate in the post crisis committee, housing committee, and club committee. The CLO should advertise details of DSFA career support services and courses to eligible UK-Based spouses/ partners at Post. The CLO is expected to establish some form of communication for staff and spouses/ partners across Post, such as a WhatsApp group, in accordance with the FCDO social media policy.
* Information management of Post Welcome Pack and CLO homepage on Post's Teams site; input to, update, and review of Post Report and Fact Sheet. CLOs should be accessible and able to provide information in areas including pre-Posting information, spouse/ partner employment at Post; child and adult education, childcare, recreation facilities and training opportunities. Complete Cost of Living returns. As Language Officer, arrange language courses for UK-based officers, maintaining contacts with both schools and tutors offering immersion training.
* Arrivals and departures - Relay accommodation requirements and arrivals details to Corporate Services colleagues and Post Housing Committee. Ensure incoming officers are aware of arrivals procedures. Welcome new arrivals to the Embassy and help them to integrate into life in the UAE. Review arrivals experience to help Post improve processes. Provide advice to outgoing officers and their families. Management of the domestic equipment float.
* Emergency planning - The jobholder must be aware of and involved in any Post contingency and evacuation plans, take part in the Embassy emergency planning and any response to a crisis affecting UK citizens and acting as the Welfare Lead in a crisis situation. All CLOs should complete the Crisis Preparedness Management eLearning on FCO GLO.
The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be
flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key behaviours required:
* Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
* 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.
* 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.
* Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a strong customer focus and the ability to respond to a range of customers' needs. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with stakeholders.
* Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work under pressure. Ability to work and act without close supervision.
* A team player who is 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, and Teams) and internet-based applications.
* Excellent command of spoken and written English. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
* Background in counselling or similar supportive role would be helpful.
* Experience of working for the UK Government.
* Experience of overseas postings/ relocation.
Required behaviours
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality
Service, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month
Application deadline - year
‎8 June ‎2022
Grade
Administrative Officer (AO)
Type of Position
Fixed Term, Full-time
Working hours per week
‎38
Duration of Post
‎36 months
Region
Middle East & North Africa
Country/Territory
United Arab Emirates
Location (City)
Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Type of Post
British Embassy
Number of vacancies
‎2
Salary Currency
AED
Salary
‎11,363
Start Date Start Date - day Start Date - month Start Date - year
‎1 August ‎2022
Other benefits and conditions of employment
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 ‎11,363 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.
Flexible working arrangements may be considered based on operational
requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and
Embassy policies.
For job sharing arrangement: The split in hours will be agreed between the
job share partners and line management. Annual leave, salary, and any other
benefits will be split on a pro-rata basis according to the ratio of working
hours compared to a full-time position.
The Embassy offers a range of learning and personal development opportunities,
including learning on the job, ‎360-degree feedback, e-learnings, and
interactive sessions including through the FCDO's International Academy. The
successful candidate will also need to complete the FCDO's CLO training course
as soon as possible after completing probation.
Additional information
How to apply:
Interested candidates must attach ‎1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and ‎2) a
covering letter to their online application form.
Job sharing applicants should clearly indicate in the cover letter that you
are applying for job share and include how many hours/ days per week you will
be available to work.
Should you already have a job share partner, both applicants will need to
submit an application separately, and provide the name of your job share
partner in your cover letter.
If you are applying for the full-time role but would consider a job share
arrangement should another suitable partner be available, please also indicate
this in your cover letter.
Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the
required behaviours in the Behaviours Questions section of the online
application form.
Applications that do not include these information will not be considered.
Closing date for applications is at ‎23:55 (UAE local time) on ‎08 June
‎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 Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are 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.