Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Senior Political and Government
Engagement Officer on a fixed term contract for two (2) years.
The jobholder will facilitate the Embassy's engagement with the Government of
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the highest levels in order to support the work
of the UK's diplomatic network in Saudi Arabia.
The role requires excellent communication and collaboration skills, and the
ability to shape the Embassy's approach through detailed knowledge, analysis
and understanding. The jobholder will need to build and maintain a strong
network of contacts in Saudi to support their understanding and analysis of
the local context and political dynamics. Supporting the engagement of senior
UK government stakeholders with their equally senior counterparts in the Saudi
government requires a high level of professionalism, strategic thinking, and
attention to detail.
Duties and responsibilities:
* Develop and facilitate BE Riyadh 's network with a broad range of political contacts in the Royal Court, Ministries, Shura Council, Provinces, civil society, and media. Prioritise, plan, co-ordinate and deliver the Embassy's engagements with those contacts, including sensitive protocol handling for senior meetings, visits, and engagements
* Lead on analysis and reporting of developments and trends in Saudi Arabia's internal politics and their implications for UK policy. This will require objective and evidence-based reporting and an analytical approach. The types of reports will range from high-level reports summarising political trends for a senior readership, to in-depth and detailed reports on specific issues, e.g., constitutional and judicial changes for subject matter experts.
* Take the same approach to provide analysis and reporting of developments in Saudi Arabia's foreign policy and regional affairs and their implications on UK foreign policy.
* Plan and deliver the Embassy's engagement with provinces outside Riyadh to fulfil the full range of UK objectives: political engagement, trade and investment, and build understanding of Vision2030 changes.
* Support the delivery of VIP visits by UK political figures to Saudi Arabia and vice versa.
* Support the Embassy's response to any crises through delivery of authoritative political advice and contributions to wider team working.
* Support our Head of Communications in the delivery of the UK's political messaging in print and social media and through speeches.
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 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.
* Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
* Delivering at Pace - Taking responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
Eligibility:
The position is available to Saudi Nationals and to current holders of valid
Saudi residence permits or transferable iqamas. The successful candidate will
be required to transfer their sponsorship to the British Embassy.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
* Detailed and in depth knowledge and understanding of Saudi Arabian politics, history, and culture.
* Credibility and personal impact to engage with senior UK/Saudi political figures.
* Top-level communications skills. Native speaker or mother tongue level of communication skills in English and Arabic. Confidence to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
* Previous experience of carrying out high quality political analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
* Personal initiative, drive and ability to work both independently and as a part of a team.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player with willingness to work across boundaries. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with contacts and colleagues.
* Strong attention to detail. Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines, without compromising the quality of the work.
* Flexibility and resilience to deliver results under pressure. Creative thinking skills.
* Ability to build the capabilities of the team for political analysis and reporting and stakeholder management.
* Holds at least a bachelor's degree in a related field.
* Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
* An established network of political contacts in Saudi Arabia, including in provinces outside of Riyadh.
* Experience of working in an international context.
Required behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace,
Communicating and Influencing
Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month
Application deadline - year
5 February 2023
Grade
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position
Fixed Term, Full-time
Working hours per week
35
Duration of Post
24 months
Region
Middle East & North Africa
Country/Territory
Saudi Arabia
Location (City)
Riyadh
Type of Post
British Embassy
Number of vacancies
1
Salary Currency
SAR
Salary
17,763.04
Start Date Start Date - day Start Date - month Start Date - year
30 April 2023
Other benefits and conditions of employment
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration
package for this role.
Salary details:
* Base Salary including Eid bonus - SAR 13,890.44
* Housing Allowance - SAR 3,472.61 (subject to eligibility)
* Travel Allowance - SAR 400 (subject to eligibility)
* Total - SAR 17,763.04
* Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form.
No accommodation and 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) during visits and to attend networking events,
receptions, and seminars.
The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.
Additional information
How to apply:
Interested candidates must include to their online application form 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 and skills required.
Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 05 February
2023.
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
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 an assumed 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, medical clearance and reference checks.
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.