The British Embassy in Beirut has a vacancy for a Protocol Officer, job grade Administrative Officer (AO) on a fixed term contract of one (1) year.

The jobholder will be a key member of the Corporate Services Section working closely with the Transport/Protocol Manager, Head of Corporate Services, and other embassy staff.

The Protocol Officer is responsible for handling the embassy protocol services with Lebanese government departments and relevant authorities, ensuring full compliance with diplomatic and local regulations. The role ensures the effective coordination of official processes related to protocol, high-level engagements with local authorities, maintaining strong official relationships with third parties and upholding professional protocol standards as the applicant will be representing the embassy at these authorities.

The role includes managing the smooth arrival and departure of UK-based staff and official visitors to the Beirut post, this includes coordinating entry requirements, visas, and reception formalities, while ensuring a high standard of service for VIP visits and official delegations. It also involves overseeing the dispatch and clearance of shipments (including UAF, heavy baggage, and military consignments) through close liaison with shipping lines and agents. As the incumbent will work closely with local authorities—including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Security, relevant ministries, customs, and the Vehicle Registration Department, the applicant is expected to maintain strong working relationships with these entities and remain informed of regulatory developments to assess their impact on embassy operations and ensure continued compliance and efficiency.

In addition, the Protocol Officer may provide cover for the Transport Officer when required.

The role requires flexibility, including working outside standard hours to support operational needs such as VIP visits, diplomatic bag movements (incoming and outgoing), and military aircraft arrivals.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Responsible of the arrival/departure of UKBS and visits (including VIP): the incumbent will ensure smooth arrivals and departure to UKBS and visitors (including VIP) by guiding them on Lebanon visa process, preparing necessary letters to MOFA in order to obtain their diplomatic ID to facilitate their entrance to Lebanon. In addition, ensuring the day-to-day update of the arrival/departure tracker sheet.
• Having effective management of shipping procedures and schedules and will be responsible of facilitating the arrival/departure of Diplomatic bags, UAF, heavy baggage: The incumbent will coordinate with shipping lines and freight forwarders (e.g. Hellmann, Orbit, Pickford, DHL,…) in order to facilitate the dispatch/arrival of all shipments (diplomatic bags, UAF, heavy baggage,…) and thus by preparing all necessary letters/formalities to MOFA, customs at airports, ….etc. in addition of handling all commercial shipments related to MOD while making sure all necessary approvals are received for VAT and customs exemption, and this is by preparing all necessary documents ahead of time to avoid any demurrage fees at the airport.
• Close coordination with General security to renew permits of working foreigners: the incumbent will work closely with the Lebanese general security and maintaining internal good relationships with them in order to ensure all residency permits are up-to-date at all times, closely following up before expiry of any residency to ensure no penalties are paid and all residencies are renewed on time. The applicant should manage any issue or complication that arises effectively, as well as tracking efficiently all expiry dates of residency permits, airport and Beirut port passes.
• Maintaining High quality service and communication with local authorities: The incumbent Continuous research to stay updated on all circulation and news issued by local authorities, understand the impact of these changes on the embassy operation, flag it to the management and suggest proper way of implementation. And providing a high-quality service by coordinating with the relevant local authorities on various Protocol matters, such as VIP visits, vehicle shadow plates, vehicle importing and exporting, weapons & military equipment importing & exporting, King Messenger Run and Military aircraft, opening VIP lounges at the airport to receive VIP visitors.
• Covering transport officer and managing operational transport requests: The incumbent will cover the responsibilities of the transport officer when on leave, by taking official requests and coordinating the drivers’ schedule in an effective way that meet customer requirements while abiding by the transport policy.

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

Key Behaviours required:

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

• Fluent communication skills in English and Arabic (both spoken and written). Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
• Good understanding of Lebanese government functions and procedures, and experience handling protocol matters.
• Good management and organizational skills.
• Understanding management of shipping procedures and schedules.
• Good logistical coordination.
• Problem solving.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Microsoft skills: Arabic typing (for Note verbale) is essential.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field.

In addition, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Objectivity
• Impartiality