Overview
AUH – Director Corporate Services for the UK in UAE Network (G7) Jobs in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates at Department for Business and Trade
Title: AUH – Director Corporate Services for the UK in UAE Network (G7)
Company: Department for Business and Trade
Location: Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
The British Embassy Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for aDirector Corporate Services for the UK in UAE Network, job grade G7 on a fixed-term contract for three (3) years.
The jobholder will lead our busy and dynamic Corporate Services Team across the UK in UAE Network, including our Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This is a senior administration role, responsible for ensuring the team of over 50 staff deliver effective management, finance, procurement, human resources, estates, transport, logistics, Government Relations, and IT services to the UAE Network. The UAE Network is one of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) largest and most complex platforms, with over 400 staff from 17 UK government departments represented across the two locations.
With the planned onshoring of the Network’s sizeable UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) operation back to the UK (c. 230 staff), the job holder will be required to oversee the reconfiguration of the existing Corporate Services team to support a slimmed down mission.
This role is vital to the success of UK efforts in the UAE, and to making the network a welcoming, supportive place to work, where our colleagues are valued and able to develop. The successful candidate will be an experienced professional with proven managerial, strategic, and financial skills and an eye for detail. They will have a track record of motivating and developing teams, and creating an inclusive, healthy work environment. They will take pride in delivering a quality service, and identifying and delivering opportunities for improvement, and be passionate about their people. They will have demonstrable experience of line managing successful teams and they will have the tact and confidence to engage effectively with other diplomatic missions, our host government, and external partners.
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
Leadership and Management: Oversee the work of a diverse, multi-skilled Corporate Services Team spread across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, comprising Finance, HR, Government Relations, Estates, and IT provision, amongst other roles. Inspire, lead, and develop team members, creating an inclusive environment which values difference, supports staff, challenges poor behaviours, and resolves conflict. Serve as the focal point for senior interaction on platform issues, including through managing the relationship with the many diverse departments on our platform.
Change Management: Prepare the network for the departure (by 2027) of the majority of UK Visas and Immigration staff from post, mitigating the impact on the network and ensuring the Corporate Services Team is best placed to deliver in the face of a tightening financial situation. Actively seek opportunities for efficiencies, innovation, and improvement across the range of Corporate Services activity, and compassionately manage the reduction in support staff necessitated by the departure of UKVI.
Finance and Procurement: Provide oversight of the UK in UAE Network budget (c. £8.5m), ensuring spending delivers value for money and adheres to FCDO policies and procedures. Ensur…
