British Embassy
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)
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Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
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The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for Deputy Head of Export Support Service, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), under the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) on a fixed term contract for two (2) years, with the possibility of extension.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the UK Government’s department for economic growth. We promote British trade and investment across the world, support UK business overseas, and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have over 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries.
DBT divides the world into nine (9) regions, each led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC). The Middle East and Pakistan (MEaP) region is led from Dubai and represents 11 markets with a team of some 120 staff.
This role is part of DBT’s Export Support Service International Markets (ESS IM), a free government service that supports UK Small-Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to export across the world, with market-specific insight and guidance, provided by DBT teams based around the world. As part of DBT’s global ecosystem of export support for UK businesses, the ESS IM MEaP Hub is the first port of call for SMEs looking to explore MEaP’s extensive trading opportunities. Economic growth is the UK government’s top priority, and ESS IM is part of the government’s commitment to support UK businesses to export and sell to the world.
It is an exciting time to join the IM ESS team in MEaP – with the service having launched only three years ago (April 2022), this role offers the opportunity to drive the development of IM ESS in the MEaP network.
About the role
Consumer goods, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Food & Drink, you name it: UK companies and products are highly regarded and sought after across MEaP for their quality and innovation. With the support of DBT, thousands of UK companies discover new markets and opportunities every year.
IM ESS MEaP is the region’s universal entry point for UK business. The main purpose of the team is to help UK SMEs access and enter MEaP markets and win business. The team and the Deputy Head role function on a regional basis, providing support the Head of IM ESS in MEaP and colleagues in DBT in Saudi Arabia and the wider MEaP region, whilst working with International Trade Advisors in the UK and large numbers of British SMEs.
We are looking for a motivated and ambitious leader to be based at the British Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this role, the successful candidate will line manage three (3) International Markets Advisors (IMAs): two based in Riyadh and one based in Jeddah. You will also provide support to the Head of IM ESS MEaP based in Dubai, and to the wider IM ESS MEaP team of advisors, distributed across the UAE, Qatar, and Jordan. This job may require some travel to alternate posts across the region as per business and office demands.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the IM ESS team in Saudi Arabia and support the Head of IM ESS in MEaP and wider team of advisors across the region. This includes supporting the development of team strategy and optimisation of our operations.
- Provide line management, coaching, and overall support to three (3) International Market Advisors (IMAs). This includes regular 1-2-1 meetings, performance reviews, providing constructive feedback, and helping employees meet or exceed their targets and development goals.
- Build and manage effective working relationships with senior leaders in DBT Saudi Arabia, colleagues across DBT (MEaP and UK colleagues including International Trade Advisers and Sector teams), and external partners and stakeholders.
- Working with relevant DBT colleagues, establish and manage strategic stakeholder relations with Saudi Arabia’s Giga and Mega Projects and the development of a referral system in service of the support for UK SMEs. This may also include cross-collaboration with colleagues across DBT to support the organisation of Supply Chain Forums and other events in service of UK SMEs.
- Lead on pro-active outreach and engagement with local stakeholders and businesses in the Kingdom to explore potential for collaboration and promotion of UK SME export opportunities. Lead on the development of an effective database of stakeholders, retailers, and distributors to help facilitate UK SME success.
- Working with relevant DBT Sector leads across busy consumer sectors, develop an effective approach to regular submissions of UK SMEs to key retailers and distributors in Saudi Arabia, facilitating successful market entry.
- Develop and maintain a directory of off-the-shelf market guidance for Saudi Arabia, including general information on incorporation, certification, and regulations to support IM ESS MEaP in providing meaningful advice to UK SMEs.
- Collaborate with DBT colleagues and Saudi regulators to monitor opportunities and challenges faced by UK SMEs.
- Lead on engagement with UK stakeholders such as The UK Export Academy, trade associations, and International Trade Advisors to build awareness of KSA IM ESS services for high export potential companies based in the UK.
- Support and feed into the development of regular online webinars, quarterly newsletters, and other means to promote the IM ESS MEaP service to internal stakeholders and an audience of High Potential exporters in the UK.
- Manage strategic relationships with Saudi private and public sector entities to support UK SME market entry. Develop partnerships with professional services firms for company registration, customs clearance, banking, marketing, and business development services. Evaluate new applications from Saudi companies for DBT’s Overseas Referral Network (ORN) and Export Support Directory (ESD) of private sector partners.
- Conduct market research and draft reports in service of UK SME support. Analyse market trends and enquiry information to regularly inform the Head of Trade and Head of IM ESS MEaP of any significant business opportunities, and to help inform business and workforce planning exercises.
- Alongside the team of IMAs, provide regular hands-on support to UK business. This will include conducting market research and stakeholder outreach in support of UK SMEs when our services are in high demand, resulting in high enquiry volumes.
- Act as an advocate for IM ESS MEaP externally and internally and embed the team into MEaP way of working.
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.
- Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
- 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.
- Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
- 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.
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- Experience of leading a commercially focused team to deliver value for money outcomes, ideally in Saudi Arabia or an international environment.
- Previously held or currently in a position with significant experience and responsibility in either the public or private sector in Saudi Arabia or an international environment.
- Proven track record of team leadership and management, including remote team management.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience managing senior and external stakeholders.
- Team player capable of working on their own initiative as well as with others, including in a fast-paced and changing environment.
- Strong customer focus and ability to deliver a quality service
- A proven record of organisational ability. Able to organise and prioritise workload and meet deadlines and changing priorities whilst maintaining close attention to detail and without compromising the quality of the work.
- The ability to learn quickly and work with a high degree of autonomy.
- A positive ‘can-do’ attitude that can see way through challenges. Resilient, decisive, and with a proactive approach to problem solving.
- Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
- Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).
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- Experience working in trade and investment, ideally for at least three (3) years.
- Proven project management skills and experience of developing and implementing new processes, governance, and reporting structures.
- Arabic language skills, both oral and written.
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Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
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6 February 2025
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Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
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Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
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35
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Middle East & North Africa
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Saudi Arabia
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Riyadh
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British Embassy
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1
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SAR
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20,067.80
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monthly
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6 April 2025
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The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.
Monthly salary details:
- Base Salary – SAR 15,654.24
- Housing Allowance – SAR 3,913.56 (subject to eligibility)*
- Travel Allowance – SAR 500.00 (subject to eligibility)*
- Total – SAR 20,067.80
*Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form. Spouses/ Dependants 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 and weekend), especially during events, visits, business receptions, and other networking activities. 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 position will cover the entire Saudi network and will also involve domestic and potentially some regional travel for business purposes.
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.
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How to apply:
Interested candidates must include with their online application form
1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);
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 and skills required.
The online application form, CV, cover letter/ essay, and examples must be in English.
Applications that do not include these this information will not be considered.
Please refrain from the use of AI-based tools when completing your application. This is to ensure a fair competition for all candidates and helps maintain the integrity process. If the use of AI is identified, your application may be rejected.
The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 06 February 2025.
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, dependant 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 FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The British Embassy 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.
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To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
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