The British Embassy Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for a Pro Consul in the UAE Consular Team on a fixed-term contract for three (3) years.

Our 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; and reducing preventable incidents affecting British people through collaboration with partners and governments.

Reporting to the Vice Consul, the main purpose of the role is to ensure that British Nationals receive a professional, high-quality service and that advice provided is accurate, timely, and consistent, and offered in a sensitive manner and in line with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance. This will include developing and maintaining contacts with local authorities and in the community, providing notarial and documentary services, and taking part in our communications and prevention work.

In response to local or regional crisis, the jobholder will play a key role in the section\'s response and deployment.

The successful candidate will need to be a self-starter, highly motivated, and have excellent interpersonal and office management skills.

Consular work can sometimes be emotionally challenging, distressing, and of a sensitive nature. The jobholder will therefore be expected to demonstrate high levels of personal resilience and maintain absolute consular confidentiality and impartiality

Duties and responsibilities:

Provide professional and efficient Consular Service.

• Provide accurate advice and assistance in a sensitive manner to British Nationals (BNs) and their families via face-to-face, telephone, or email on a range of issues such as: arrests/ detention, hospitalisations, supporting bereaved families, mental health, child custody issues, debt and employment issues, and other sensitive cases such as sexual assault or forced marriage.
• Maintain accurate and concise case records of services provided on consular databases.
• Ensure all customer correspondence are replied to in a timely and efficient way, providing consistent, accurate information in accordance with FCDO guidelines.
• Be prepared to work out of hours, occasionally anti-social hours, as required.
• Take part in the Embassy emergency planning and any response to a crisis affecting UK citizens.
• Administering the appointment system.
• Provide counter services including notarial work and Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs), ensuring consistent customer service to BNs.
• Collecting fees, cashing up, and other financial requirement.
• Ensure deadlines for Returns and Management Information are met.

Prevention Communications and Outreach

• Working to help to deliver high quality local prevention and communications work, working closely with the Embassy\'s Press/ Communications Team and other senior stakeholders. Producing materials, using social media and attending events.
• Monitor changes in local procedures and practices, ensuring that all information and guidance for BNs reflects changes and is up to date, e.g. service providers, lawyers list, travel advice, web pages.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Consular work can sometimes be stressful and of a sensitive nature. The jobholder will therefore be expected to maintain absolute consular confidentiality and impartiality at all times.
• Excellent customer care skills and the ability to respond to a range of customers\' needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and active listening skills, with the ability to cultivate and maintain a range of contacts at all levels.
• A team player who is capable of working on their initiative and who is adaptable to changing priorities. Must be able to work and act without close supervision.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Arabic language skills, both written and spoken.
• IT literate and well versed in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and with accurate typing skills.

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.

Required behaviours

Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace

Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month Application deadline - year

7 July 2023

Grade

Administrative Officer (AO)

Type of Position

Fixed Term, Full-time

Working hours per week

35

Duration of Post

36 months

Region

Middle East & North Africa

Country/Territory

United Arab Emirates

Location (City)

Abu Dhabi

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

AED

Salary

11,736

Start Date Start Date - day Start Date - month Start Date - year

1 September 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, which includes 25 days of leave per annum (calculated pro-rata)

Salary is at AED 11,736 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.

The Embassy is open from Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 18:00. Conditioned working hours are 35 hours per week and specific working hours for this role will be confirmed at a later time.

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

Additional information

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include to their online application form. * an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role.
• Examples in the relevant sections of the online application form of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 UAE local time on 7th July 2023.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two - three months.

Due to the large number of applications, we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an assessment and then a panel interview. Assessments and 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.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a \'reserve list\'. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The British Embassy Abu Dhabi an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.

HM Government