The British Embassy in Cairo is looking to recruit a Defence Transits Manager under the Ministry of Defence, job grade Executive Officer (EO), on a fixed term contract of one (1) year.

The Defence Transits Manager (DTM) is responsible for the planning, coordination and delivery of all UK Defence transits and movement‑related activity in Egypt. The role is critical to enabling the Defence Section to deliver UK military engagement, operational support and defence diplomacy objectives by ensuring that UK military personnel, aircraft, vessels, vehicles and equipment are able to transit Egypt safely, legally and efficiently.

The post underpins almost all Defence Section activity, including the management of overflight permissions, senior military visits, exercises, training teams, operational deployments, Suez Canal transits, and contingency or crisis response activity. The Defence Transits Manager plays a central role in maintaining UK operational freedom of movement in a strategically vital region.

Department and Team Context

The Defence Section at the British Embassy Cairo represents the UK Ministry of Defence and the UK Armed Forces in Egypt. It leads all UK military engagement in‑country, including training, visits, defence industry engagement and operational coordination, while also supporting wider Embassy and cross‑government (HMG) objectives.

The Defence Transits Manager is a core operational role within a small, high‑tempo Defence Section. The postholder provides specialist expertise on defence movements, diplomatic clearances and host‑nation coordination, operating in a dynamic environment that requires discretion, resilience and strong judgement.

Reporting Lines and Working Relationships

The Defence Transits Manager works within the Defence Section and reports to the Assistant Defence Attaché. The role involves close working relationships with:

• The Defence Attaché, Deputy Defence Attaché and Assistant Defence Attaché, to support the planning and delivery of UK Defence activity in Egypt.
• UK‑based and regional MOD stakeholders, including operational units, Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), the single Services and relevant MOD desks.
• British Embassy Cairo teams, particularly Security, Protocol, Consular and Corporate Services.
• Egyptian authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant bodies, to obtain, manage and coordinate diplomatic clearances.
• Defence drivers and Embassy transport staff, where movements involve official vehicles or convoys.

Alignment with FCDO and Wider HMG Objectives

The Defence Transits Manager contributes directly to wider FCDO and HMG objectives by enabling:

• Effective defence diplomacy and security cooperation with a key regional partner.
• UK operational freedom of movement in a strategically important region.
• Credible and responsive UK defence engagement during periods of regional tension or crisis.

Key Objectives

The Defence Transits Manager’s key objectives are to:

• Enable uninterrupted UK Defence access and presence in and through Egypt.
• Ensure all defence movements are compliant, timely and appropriately risk‑managed.
• Maintain effective working relationships with Egyptian counterparts and Embassy teams.
• Reduce operational, diplomatic and reputational risk to HMG.

Core Responsibilities:

The Defence Transits Manager is responsible for the end‑to‑end coordination of all UK Defence movements through Egypt, including air, land and maritime transits. This includes managing diplomatic clearances, advising leadership on feasibility and constraints, supporting senior visits and operational activity, and responding to urgent or crisis‑driven requirements.

1. Defence Transits Planning and Delivery (40%)

You will lead the coordination and delivery of all UK Defence transits through Egypt.

• Manage air, land and maritime movements, including overflights, landings, port calls, convoys and equipment transits.
• Submit, track and manage diplomatic clearance requests with Egyptian authorities.
• Advise Defence Section leadership and UK‑based MOD stakeholders on transit feasibility, timelines and constraints.
• Ensure all movements comply with host‑nation requirements and FCDO/MOD policy.

Main deliverables: Approved diplomatic clearances; timely and compliant defence movements; accurate transit records.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management (25%)

You will build and maintain effective working relationships to enable Defence activity.

• Act as the primary point of contact for defence transits with Egyptian Ministries and relevant authorities.
• Liaise with MOD desks, PJHQ, single Services and deployed units in the UK and region.
• Work closely with British Embassy Cairo teams (including Security, Protocol, Corporate and Consular) to coordinate movements.
• Provide timely and accurate transit advice to support senior Defence engagement.

Main deliverables: Trusted relationships; smooth coordination; reduced delays and operational friction.

3. Risk Management and Security Coordination (20%)

You will support the safe delivery of Defence activity through risk‑managed movement planning.

• Contribute to Travel Risk Assessments (TRAs) and movement planning in coordination with Embassy Security.
• Identify transit‑related risks and escalate issues appropriately.
• Support contingency and crisis response movements during periods of heightened regional tension.
• Maintain situational awareness of factors affecting defence movements.

Main deliverables: Risk‑informed movement plans; effective support to crisis or surge activity; clear advice to leadership.

4. Administration, Records and Compliance (10%)

You will ensure robust administrative processes and audit trails are maintained.

• Maintain accurate records of defence transits and diplomatic clearances.
• Track requests, approvals and expiry dates.
• Support reporting requirements for Defence Section leadership and UK stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with Embassy, FCDO and MOD standards.

Main deliverables: Accurate records; compliant processes; reliable reporting.

5. Team Support and Continuous Improvement (5%)

You will contribute to the effectiveness and resilience of the wider Defence Section.

• Support colleagues during visits, exercises and surge periods.

• Capture lessons learned and suggest improvements to transit processes.
• Provide continuity within a small, high‑tempo team.

Main deliverables: Improved processes; effective team support; operational resilience.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. Duties and responsibilities may change in response to evolving priorities, including crisis and contingency operations.

Key behaviours required for the role:

• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.

• Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple, time‑critical priorities effectively.
• Experience working with government, diplomatic, military or similarly complex stakeholders.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion, professionalism and sound judgement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, accurate and proportionate advice.
• Proven ability to remain calm, focused and effective under pressure.