AUH/ DXB - Government Relations Manager (EO)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The British Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a vacancy for a Government
Relations Manager on a fixed-term contract for two (‎2) years.
This is a busy and challenging role enabling Her Majesty's Government's (HMG)
work in the UAE. It requires excellent communication, collaboration, and
customer focus as well as organisation, discretion, sensitivity, and the
ability to problem-solve as well as to help shape longer-term improvements.
The successful candidate will oversee and deliver, on behalf of all Embassy
staff, all documentary elements required to effectively work and live in the
UAE. Whilst inheriting a range of tasks, there will be emphasis on improvement
and refinement.
This role is designed to bring together all work strands relating to managing
all Embassy staff into one team that will oversee the full life cycle of staff
working at the Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This will include all staff
services encompassing Diplomatic and Emirates IDs; business travel; vehicle/
driving licences; on-boarding/ off-boarding; guidance to UKB on local policies
and process..
To do this effectively, the successful candidate will need to work with a
range of partners within the Embassy, as well a number of external partners,
including but not exclusively the ICP, MoFAIC, and our like-minded embassies.
Given the breadth and variation of the role, a strong sense of organisation
will be required to build and manage processes, which compete for time.
In order to effectively achieve this, the jobholder will have a small team who
will require management and leadership to build a cohesive team that is
forward looking, proactive and transparent.
Whilst the role may be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the jobholder will
be required to visit the Embassy in the other Emirate, subject to COVID-‎19
restrictions and to operational needs.

Duties and responsibilities:
* Delivery of Government Relations Office (GRO) Management function
* Smoothly on-board all new starters as quickly as possible, keeping new starters and mangers/ department informed of process;
* Provide ongoing support to staff on the platform, ensuring they have relevant documentation, access to guidance, and relevant support to ensure smooth running of the business;
* Oversight of GRO functions, providing timely updates on work streams and delivery against SLAs;
* Management and leadership of team to deliver against objectives;
* Maintain effective records and use data smartly and in accordance with GDPR, to remove double handling and better utilise resource;
* Develop and maintain effective relationships with key partners, helping to deliver key objectives;
* Oversee and ensure key guidance and documentation is updated and readily available to all staff;
* Assist the central visits teams with protocol elements of VVIP visits;
* Respond to exceptional cases in a measured and control way, without impacting on core operations.
* Manage GRO team
* Working with Corporate Services (CS) management, help to develop and implement the purpose, objectives, and ways of working of the team;
* Ensure there is a clear vision and direction for the team, composed of four people (three Government Relations Officer and one Translator);
* Role model and help embed clear, collaborative, and agile ways of working.
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 response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required:
* Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
* 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.
* Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Eligibility:
* Applications will only be considered from those who are currently residing in the UAE and with a current and valid UAE resident visa. Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their UAE resident visa/ Emirates ID as part of their application.
* Applicants must be available in a full time capacity.
* Applicants must be able to obtain a valid UAE police clearance certificate.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
The ideal candidates should possess the following qualifications, skills and
experience:
* Previous experience as Protocol/ Government Relations Officer/ Manager or as HR Manager, ideally in a major multinational company or in another embassy/ foreign diplomatic mission or equivalent.
* Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
* Resourcefulness in solving problems and demonstrates good judgement. Ability to respond quickly and flexibly to meet multiple and changing priorities, and drive delivery of outcomes and overcome obstacles, especially when working with and through others.
* Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure, with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines whilst maintaining attention to detail.
* Strong interpersonal skills, self-motivated, results-driven and customer service oriented. Keenly aware of customer requirements and how to drive customer satisfaction.
* A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively across teams. Demonstrates courtesy, discretion, and consideration in dealing with stakeholders.
* Strong IT computer skills and in using MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
* Excellent communication skills in Arabic, both verbal and spoken.
* Experience of working with government and other official authorities in UAE.
* Experience in using database management systems.
Required behaviours
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace,
Communicating and Influencing
Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month
Application deadline - year
‎16 August ‎2022
Grade
Executive Officer (EO)
Type of Position
Fixed Term, Full-time
Working hours per week
‎38
Duration of Post
‎24 months
Region
Middle East & North Africa
Country/Territory
United Arab Emirates
Location (City)
Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Type of Post
British Embassy
Number of vacancies
‎1
Salary Currency
AED
Salary
‎16,871
Start Date Start Date - day Start Date - month Start Date - year
‎10 October ‎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 ‎16,871 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.
Whilst the role may be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the jobholder will
be required to visit the Embassy in the other Emirate, subject to COVID-‎19
restrictions and to operational needs. The jobholder 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 (evenings/ weekends). 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 required to transfer their visa under the
Embassy's sponsorship.
Additional information
How to apply:
Interested candidates must attach ‎1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a
copy of UAE resident visa and passport (all in one file); ‎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 these this information will not be
considered.
Closing date for applications is at ‎23:55 (UAE local time) on ‎16 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. Any assessments
and/ or interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines
this to be the right course of action.
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.