The Consular Team’s purpose is to support British people living, travelling, and working in our region by: providing high quality, accessible consular services, focused on those most in need; responding rapidly to all crises, leading cross-government action; reducing preventable incidents affecting British people through collaboration with partners and governments.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring British nationals in the UAE receive a professional service that is effective, timely, consistent and in line with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance. This will include providing direct advice and support to distressed British nationals and leading on high-level and sensitive assistance cases. Cases and issues can attract significant media and Ministerial interest so an eye for the wider political picture is also important.
The jobholder will be responsible for the local delivery of the Consular Network Business Plan and global consular initiatives, as well as the consular elements of the Country Business Plan. Reporting to the Head of Consular Operations (UAE), they will be required to lead, motivate, and encourage a team of two (2) Pro Consuls to participate in global and regional consular activities and proactively deliver consular prevention and outreach work. As part of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) Network, communicating to the wider region and seeing the bigger picture is key to improving the work locally.
Key competencies required:
- 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.
- Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
- Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
- Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
- 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.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
- Previous Consular or related experience/ training, or experience of working in an operational delivery or customer service role.
- Previous experience of creating engaging outreach content, use of social media and other platforms.
- Comfortable with public speaking and networking.
- Arabic language skills