Foreign & Commonwealth Office Hiring for DXB – Visits Support Officer (AO) Job at Dubai Full Time

The British Embassy Dubai has a vacancy for a Visits Support Officer to be part of the UAE Central Visits Team.

Working closely with the UAE Central Visits Team Manager, the jobholder will design and deliver logistics and provide support to visits to the UAE by British Ministers, senior officials, members of the Royal family, and other official visitors.

The team is at the heart of our operation and the jobholder can expect to work particularly closely with the Political, Economic, International Trade, Corporate Services, and Senior Leadership Teams and other government departments in the offices of the Embassy in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The jobholder will need to engage confidently and effectively with people at all levels, including key contacts within the UAE Government and business community, and government departments in the UK. Good problem solving and judgement, a keen eye for detail and the ability to deliver results quickly are essential. The jobholder will frequently need to respond to unforeseen obstacles, including last minute changes to visit programmes.

The jobholder will be based in Dubai but will provide support to visits across the whole UAE and will be expected to travel to Abu Dhabi when required.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Coordination of high-impact visit programmes (usually working in support of a designated ‘Policy Lead’ and in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders).
• Making logistics and protocol arrangements for visits
• Communication of draft and final visit programmes, including keeping Senior Responsible Officers informed of visit arrangements
• Producing draft visit programmes and circulating these and subsequent updates
• Working with other Embassy teams to make visit arrangements, particularly Security, Government Relations Officers, and Transport teams
• Assisting with drafting of notes verbales and ensuring that all necessary forms and security clearance details are submitted for a visiting party and accompanying Embassy staff
• Arranging meetings and events, including but not limited to issuing invitations and agendas, managing RSVPs, booking rooms, etc.
• Maintaining a central record of all visit programmes, briefing packs, and records to inform future visits
• Provide administrative support to the wider team as required

The above list is not exhaustive, some responsibilities may change, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other regular and ad hoc tasks as required. This will include helping to cover for colleagues during absences and 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.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.

• High-level organisational and coordination skills, including the ability to prioritise, meet deadlines, and proactively identify and resolve potential problems.
• Excellent interpersonal and active listening skills, with the ability to cultivate and maintain a range of contacts at all levels.
• Excellent customer care skills and the ability to respond to a range of customer needs, including at senior levels.
• Team player, with proven ability in collaborating and supporting others to deliver results whilst also capable of working on their initiative and adapting to changing priorities.
• Demonstrate advanced ability to communicate fluently, effectively, and persuasively in English, both orally and in writing.
• High degree of knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams.

• Previous relevant experience either in an embassy/ foreign diplomatic mission or an international organisation, and/or in the delivery of Corporate Services.
• Experience of visit and/or event organisation.
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic.

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 11,363 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.

The successful candidate should be flexible in their approach to hours worked, as there will be some work out of hours (evening / weekend) during events and visits.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy’s sponsorship.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and 2) a covering letter to their online application form.

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.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 10 June 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. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

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 Embassy Dubai is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.