The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for Community Liaison Officer (CLO), job grade Administrative Officer (AO), on a fixed term contract for one (1) year, with the possibility of renewal.

The Community Liaison Officer (CLO) works closely with the Embassy management for the well-being of all staff at the Embassy, with their primary function as advocate for and provision of support to UK-Based staff (UKBS) deployed from the UK to Saudi Arabia on family and community issues, principally in the areas of information gathering, welfare, and communication.

The CLO is a visible point of contact for the Embassy on family and community issues, providing outreach and communication, acting as a sounding board, helping UKBS and their families to get settled in on arrival, and supporting them on departure. The jobholder works closely with Embassy management and Corporate Services to gather and feed in information, advocate on behalf of British Embassy staff from a community perspective, and support measures that promote a happy and thriving community 

Duties and responsibilities:

– Gather and disseminate key information for UKBS and their spouses/ partners and families, including for those not yet at the Embassy, and, where appropriate, Country Based Staff (CBS) on flexible deployment

• This should include comprehensive information on options for spouse/ partner employment in country; options for children’s education and childcare; access to adult education, career, and training opportunities for partners/ spouses; recreational facilities; and social matters.
• Lead on completing and producing a variety of reports for the Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA).
• Regularly update local fact sheets and reports for Saudi Arabia, Welcome Pack for new arrivals, and the CLO’s MS Teams site.

– Support new UKBS arrivals at the Embassy

• Welcome all staff coming to the Embassy and their accompanying families to ensure as smooth an integration as possible into the life of the Embassy community.
• Arrange and conduct an orientation at the start of their stay and following up to check that the settling in process is working and being a source of referral and ongoing support, including where questions, problems, and difficulties arise. Provide a short Post Community induction.
• Also provide support at the end-of-tour, such as signposting them on how to sell surplus items or how to access a furniture float once their goods have been packed for shipping.

– Advocate for UKBS and their families and the Embassy network more generally

• Ensure issues of community importance are heard by Senior Management and in key management committees, particularly the Housing and Post Security committees.
• Press for solutions to any systemic problems faced by the Embassy community, for example on the maintenance of recreational facilities.
• Act as the chief link between the Embassy and DSFA in London.

– Communicate and reach out on community and social matters across the Embassy to all staff

• Build up networks and get known across the Embassy community, as well as with key Embassy contacts such as international schools, key medical clinics, and Diplomatic Quarter Authority.
• Be visible, participate in, and host events to help the Embassy family get to know each other outside of work and to promote wellbeing and a sense of community.
• Manage and run an informative WhatsApp group (or groups) in line with internal policy on social media use. Ensure members are aware of key information, opportunities, and upcoming events to help bring to the community together.
• Advertise details of DSFA career support services and courses to eligible UKB spouses/ partners at the Embassy.
• Promote a range of social activities suitable for different interests and personal circumstances that are open to the whole Embassy community (UKBS and CBS).

– Promote general welfare and wellbeing in the British Embassy community

• Provide a confidential listening ear for any problems and difficulties arising in the community, signposting partners, and families to sources of assistance available (i.e., Welfare Officers, Employee Assistance Programme, Human Resources, etc.) and flagging any systemic problems with the British Embassy management.
• Complete relevant trainings such as mental health first aid, wellbeing, and being a Fairness Champion
• Complete learning on Crisis Preparedness Management and be involved in the Embassy’s crisis management plans.
• Extend support to the British Consulate General in Jeddah, ensuring that staff and their families receive similar community support and integration assistance as provided in Riyadh.
• Coordinate and promote the flu vaccination program for all staff and their families, ensuring timely communication and access to vaccination services.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager or head of section. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also 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.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• 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.
• Seeing the Big Picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a strong and empathetic customer focus and the ability to respond to a range of customers’ needs. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with stakeholders across all levels.
• Exceptional planning and organisational skills and keen attention to detail. Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines without compromising the quality of the work.
• Ability to think logically/ laterally and be able to display sound judgement and common sense.
• Ability to hold sensitive and confidential information and act with discretion at all times.
• Strong customer focus and responsive to customer needs and able to treat others with respect and courtesy regardless of work pressures.
• Strong IT skills and in using MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).