The British Embassy Bahrain has a vacancy for Head of Corporate Services, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO). 

This is a challenging role leading a diverse Corporate Services team, providing a platform that enables the delivery of British Embassy Manama’s Country Plan. The job holder will offer leadership, strategic direction and oversight of all management and delivery of Corporate Services for the Embassy. 

The job holder will build Corporate Services capability, leading an efficient and professional team of nine to embed new systems and processes, ensure the highest standards of HR management, and deliver performance on Finance and Procurement, Estates, Health and Safety, Transport, Protocol, and Information Technology in line with audit and Management Assurance Process (MAP) requirements. The job holder will translate effectively the strategic vision from His Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA) and Deputy Head of Mission (DBH) into action from the Corporate Services team. 

The role is one of the most important in the embassy, working closely with HMA and DHM. The job holder will be a core member of the senior leadership team in the Embassy and will contribute to shaping the current culture and ambitions of the Embassy, as well as moulding the vision, direction and future shape of the British Embassy. 

The job offers excellent developmental opportunities, especially in leadership and change management, and offers an opportunity to engage with a range of Partners Across Government. It would suit an individual who has strong corporate experience and wants to make a concrete difference in an area that really matters to the Embassy. 

Duties and responsibilities: 

The job holder will be a member of British Embassy Manama’s senior leadership team, providing strategic and operational advice on corporate matters, leading one of the Country Plan Goals, and taking a lead in shaping an inclusive, supportive and outcome-focussed Embassy culture. They will be responsible for: 

Leadership and Management, including:

• Setting strategic corporate direction and driving service excellence.
• Significant cross-Embassy contribution, including leadership roles in the Crisis Committee, Joint Management Board, Post Housing Committee and other key fora, and as a lead for wider organisational issues, for example chairing an Embassy People Committee.
• Active future proofing of Embassy delivery, including setting a clear longer-term vision for Estates and People, and taking a strategic approach to risk.
• Active building and deepening of relationships with key internal stakeholders, with regional hubs and counterparts, and London to ensure effective championing and delivery of British Embassy Manama objectives.
• Effective networking with external partners (e.g. suppliers, banks, legal advisor) to ensure keen understanding of, and delivery within, the wider corporate environment.
• Responsibility for a nine-person Corporate Services team, including direct line management of two EO staff members, as well as oversight of external contractors.
• Instil and champion a growth mindset within the team, supported by modern and creative change management.

Strategic delivery, including:

• Management of a cross-Government platform and Embassy-wide services with inclusive, results-driven, customer-focussed approach.
• Human Resources leadership, including regular review, update and implementation of policies and processes for Country-Based and UK-Based staff in line with global and local requirements, and oversee adoption by all staff. This includes overseeing workforce planning, recruitment, induction, performance management, and the overall employer proposition such as terms and conditions and compliance with relevant legal and policy requirements. The job holder will also act as a source of guidance and escalation point on sensitive staff matters, including management, disciplinary and dispute resolution issues, engaging with specialist HR functions where necessary.
• Oversight of estate management, including Embassy compound, residential properties and official vehicles, ensuring that the Embassy maximises the benefits of its estate while meeting UK and local standards and in compliance with corporate procedures and policies. This includes: seeing through any major Estates projects; promoting excellence at the Residence and in the hosting of events; and supporting UKB staff with their accommodation needs, managing and improving Embassy owned/rented properties in line with security requirements and FCDO best practice.
• Strategic budget management of the Embassy’s £1.8 million budget, ensuring availability of resources for priority and essential activity while meeting MAP and audit requirements; high standards of procurement and contract management; spending delivering value for money with proper controls in place; and a keen eye for fraud and fiduciary risk.
• Support team on Protocol, including as a senior interlocutor with Ministry of Foreign Affairs as required.
• Champion lean in by Corporate Services to whole-of-Embassy delivery, including during high level visits, Away Days, events and other key moments.
• Play a central role in preparing the Embassy for any crisis, including leading crisis logistics and maintaining a robust business continuity plan, ensuring the embassy has the tools and support it needs in the event of a crisis.

Wider Embassy contribution:

• The job holder, as with all members of staff, will contribute to the life of the Embassy community beyond their formal job description. This could include broader roles such as fire warden and support with large Embassy events, including out of hours as necessary.
• The job holder will form part of crisis preparedness, exercising and any operational response, including out of hours as necessary.

The above list is not exhaustive and the job holder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, carrying out additional duties according to business need. 

In delivering these responsibilities, the jobholder will prioritise competing demands, resolving areas of dispute and conflict in operational delivery, and delivering solutions for managers across the embassy, challenging approaches where necessary. They will ensure that governance mechanisms/processes at Post (e.g. Post Housing Committee, performance management system, recruitment) are implemented as per policy and in a fair, consistent and transparent manner, and drive a culture of continuous improvement in customer-focused services, as measured through the annual One HMG Customer Perceptions Survey. They will empower and build the capacity of the in-country Corporate Services team, building up the other members of the team to increase resilience.

Resources Managed 

• Approximately £1.8 million budget and team of nine staff.

Key behaviours required: 

• 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.
• Leadership: Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
• 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.

• Minimum of three years of middle management experience, preferably with direct involvement in HR and/or finance policy and implementation.
• Experience in managing budgets for at least three years.
• Strong customer service experience.
• Fluent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
• IT competency (Word, Outlook, Excel, databases).
• A track record of ensuring compliance against corporate policies.
• Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with all stakeholders.
• Able to show discretion in handling any sensitive matters.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to engage at all levels internally and with external stakeholders.