View Vacancy – AUH – UKVI Office Manager (EO)

The British Embassy Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for an Office Manager under the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), job grade Executive Officer (EO). This role is on a fixed term contract until 31st October 2025 with the possibility of extension and/ or renewal of the contract depending on performance and operational requirements. 

The jobholder will ensure full administrative support is given to the UKVI Visa Operations in Abu Dhabi and provide managerial support with the Operations Supervisor in managing the day-to-day operations of the visa section. 

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. 

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Motivate and support visa section staff through effective line management and building capacity by providing and ensuring regular dialogue and open communication, and ensuring correct levels of staffing.
• Promote and uphold high professional standards, leading by example when dealing with enquiries and answering correspondence relating to business support activity.
• Manage resources proactively to ensure an effective response to changing demands and priorities, including through active change management.
• Ensure all management controls are in place and checks are carried out in accordance with Best Practice guidelines and that statistical returns are fully and correctly completed within time limits.
• Monitor systems and processes, collate information and provide feedback for managers
• Provide management supervision with the Operations Supervisor for the support staff in the Visa Section.
• Support the Regional Operational Managers and the Regional Manager on various submissions.
• Ensuring full records for checking bill payments / receipts and preparing for monthly reconciliation.
• Support the Recruitment Lead in their liaison with UAE HR and with MENA Regional HR; sifting, organising, and implementing assessment tests (where needed) and interviews.
• Liaison with Abu Dhabi Training/ Induction team on the arrival of UK-based staff and newly recruited country based staff (CBS).
• Management of all CBS to include leave, toil, maternity, and sickness recording in conjunction with terms and conditions of employment for resource planning.
• Keeping records of leave, toil, maternity, and sickness for UK-based members of staff for operational resource planning.
• In conjunction with the Business Support team, review, update, and maintain organisational charts, including the UKVI contact list.
• Being the single point of contact for liaison with Estates Team for all maintenance and equipment issues.
• Line management of support staff and countersigning officer duties.
• Undertake notetaking and other ad hoc duties as required.

Resources Managed: 

• Direct line management of Entry Clearance Assistants (ECA) AO grade.

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.
• Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• 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.

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 must be available in a full-time capacity to work on site at the British Embassy Abu Dhabi – this is not part time position or available for remote working.

• Understanding of UKVI section and operations.
• Background in and experience of working in a key administrative role.
• Previous successful team co-ordination and office management experience.
• Experience of having managed visits and/or events.
• Initiative, adaptability and the ability to work flexibly both in a small team and individually with autonomy, and able to adapt to new ways of working.
• Proven record of organisational ability. Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines, without compromising the quality of the work.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Excellent customer service skills. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with stakeholders.
• Experience of managing HR matters.
• Very good level of IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).