SRR - Financial Services Policy Adviser (HEO)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Financial Services Policy
Adviser for a fixed-term contract until ‎31 March ‎2023. There is a strong
possibility of extension of the contract depending on performance and
operational requirements.
This is an exciting time of change in Saudi Arabia with Vision ‎2030 economic
reforms providing unprecedented opportunities for the UK's financial services
sector. Saudi Arabia is a high priority bilateral relationship for the UK on a
range of areas, including security and prosperity. We already have a strongly
developing relationship on trade and investment; however, there is also
growing appetite for greater policy interaction - particularly on financial
services and fiscal policy.
Saudi Arabia looks to be the regional hub for financial services, and the
country already has one of the largest banking sectors in the Gulf, as well as
a young and tech-savvy population. The UK, being a global leader in financial
services and home of the London Stock Exchange, is in a prime position to
support Saudi Arabia with their economic reforms.
The British Embassy in Riyadh is a large and diverse team, delivering key
priorities against a wide range of UK Government objectives. The environment
is challenging and the issues can be complex and fast moving.
The jobholder will coordinate the UK Government's engagement with Saudi Arabia
on policy issues covering financial services, as well identifying key
opportunities in the sector, including: Fintech, Sustainable/Green Finance,
Investments, Capital Markets, and Insurance. The goal will be to develop a
mutual understanding of the aims and policy contexts for both sides, enhance
cooperation, and facilitate the exchange of expertise between the two
countries.
This role will be key to facilitate gains from the UK being a partner of
choice for financial reforms and advancing the UK offer to capitalise on
Saudi's Vision ‎2030. The jobholder will facilitate the delivery of our
financial policy objectives and strategically engage directly with the Saudi
government and other financial services team.
You will identify relevant expertise across government ministries and
regulators in the UK that align with Saudi requirements, matching Saudi need
to key UK strengths and areas where the UK has competitive advantage. You will
also act as the Secretariat for the broader UK engagement with the Vision ‎2030
reforms in Saudi Arabia, and will work closely with other Embassy officers and
the Department for International Trade (DIT). You will need to be comfortable
with both policy issues with project management, as well as able to bring a
strategic approach.
The jobholder will work closely with DIT colleagues at Post and in London to
provide policy expertise and identify and promote commercial opportunities.
DIT colleagues will then take forward the business-to-business elements of the
offer.
This is a visible role across the Embassy and with a wide range of UK
Government partners. You will have the opportunity to gain political analysis
and project delivery experience, as well as develop economic and wider
prosperity skills, influencing, and public diplomacy capabilities.
Duties and responsibilities:
* Political/ Analytical
* Deliver in-country Prosperity components of the UK Government's Gulf Strategy, specifically those related to financial and fiscal policy.
* Act as a docking and coordination point between various UK institutions focused on financial services (including the Bank of England, HM Treasury, HMRC, DIT, FCA, and the City of London Corporation).
* Ensure UK activities on financial services are joined up across the Saudi network.
* Lead on translating the Saudi 'Vision ‎2030' programme, National Transformation Plan, and other relevant programmes into UK policy engagement.
* Conduct political engagement on specific commercial events related to financial services.
* Engage, analyse, and regularly report on developments in financial services policy, with a view to identifying political and commercial opportunities.
* Horizon scan and match UK sectoral expertise to growth sectors in Saudi Arabia to pre-position UK.
* Monitor risks and contribute to regular reporting to UK Ministers and to Vision ‎2030 boards.
* Provide a secretariat function to the UK's Special Representative and Financial Services champions.
* Lead on UK Government Ministerial and senior official level visits on financial services.
* Projects
* Bid for and manage bilateral Prosperity-related projects under specified HM Government funds.
* Lead on collaboration between KSA Finance Ministry and HM Treasury (plus other UK institutions) to facilitate capacity building between the two countries, focusing on Vision ‎2030 opportunities.
* Support engagement of the UK finance sector, working closely across UK Government departments in London and DIT in Saudi Arabia to facilitate trade visits and secure commercial opportunities.
* Communications
* Inform and steer financial services policy communications widely at post.
* Convey UK policy positions to Saudi entities during meetings, high-level visits, and events.
* Report to Whitehall departments and a range of London financial services entities on Vision ‎2030 activity.
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. At the discretion of the line manager, the jobholder
may be asked to work on sectors other than financial services where necessary.

Key behaviours required:
* 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.
* Making Effective Decisions - Using evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully considering alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
* Working Together - Forming effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds; sharing information, resources, and support.
* 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.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
* Previous experience in the financial services sector (or something closely related), ideally in the UK or KSA.
* Understanding of government policy-making and international collaboration on economic issues.
* Awareness of KSA's Vision ‎2030 objectives and how the financial services sector plays an integral role.
* High standard of project and programme management skills and track record of successful project delivery.
* 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. Recognises the importance of developing a strong business network.
* Cultural awareness and business knowledge of the relevant market. Functional knowledge of local business community and trends.
* Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages confidently, clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
* Ability to coordinate and contribute to strategy development and business planning.
* 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 as well as managing others.
* Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
* Expertise on following areas: Fintech, Capital Markets, Insurance, Investment and Sustainable Finance.
* Previous experience in international trade or economics-related work.
* Knowledge of KSA's political and cultural landscape.
* Experience of working in the UK or KSA public sector/ government.
* Experience of working in a foreign diplomatic mission or international relations.
* Undergraduate degree in economics/ finance.
* Arabic language skills.
Required behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace,
Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month
Application deadline - year
‎19 June ‎2022
Grade
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position
Fixed Term, Full-time
Working hours per week
‎35
Duration of Post
‎8 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
‎15 August ‎2022
Other benefits and conditions of employment
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.

Working hours and remuneration:
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, especially during visits and events.

The successful candidate will be subject to a ‎90-day probationary period.
Additional information
How to apply:
Interested candidates must attach ‎1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and ‎2) a
covering letter stating how you meet the requirements of the role.
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.
The closing date for applications is at ‎23:55 KSA local time on ‎19 June
‎2022.
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.
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.