The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for Senior Market Access Advisor on a fixed-term contract for two (2) years.

This position is embedded within the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Saudi Arabia Trade Policy team, working across the Post (Embassy) and region, in the following areas:

• Use research and analysis skills to understand where UK companies may face market access or other challenges in the Saudi Arabian market, and utilise available tools, including building an effective network of local contacts, cooperation on regulatory best practice and UK standards, which may be used to address these; and
• Engage businesses and other stakeholders, while working closely with colleagues across the DBT network (such as analytical and policy colleagues in London) to prioritise these barriers based on their economic value, resolvability, and strategic importance to the UK.

Duties and responsibilities:

Specific duties and responsibilities include

• Working with the wider team at the Embassy to identify opportunities and solutions via analysis of country plans to better coordinate the activities of teams and maximise impact.
• Working with the Saudi Arabian government departments and other public sector bodies and their UK counterparts on all aspects of market access. As required, help facilitate formal government-to-government (G2G) agreements and arrangements to address challenges and realise opportunities. This includes planning and arranging UK-Saudi visits in both directions in support of the above activities.
• Working with colleagues in other Posts in the GCC and with teams in DBT’s UK headquarters to progress the UK’s trade policy agenda in the region, sharing knowledge and best practice, and cooperating where required on specific projects.
• Working closely with Trade Promotion colleagues to ensure businesses are aware of increased market access and are able to take advantage of any changes.
• Producing succinct reports and briefings, including for senior staff at the Embassy, visiting ministers and officials, and UK government departments relating to these issues.
• Taking on corporate activity across the Post, including undertaking training for an assigned crisis response role and contributing with all other members of staff to making the Embassy a great place to work.

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 jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens.

Key behaviours required:

• Seeing the Big Picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• 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.
• Delivering at Pace – Taking responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Eligibility:

• The successful candidate must be able to secure a local residence and work permit in Saudi (iqama) OR already have the right to work and reside in Saudi.
• The British Embassy provides visa sponsorship. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy’s sponsorship.

• Previous experience of working on Trade or Foreign Policy.
• Existing knowledge of the UK or Saudi economy, and ideally both, with demonstrated ability rapidly to master a wide range of economic and trade issues.
• Good knowledge of economic and/or trade policy from working in a related role, including relevant higher education qualification.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely and ability to write to a high standard for a wide range of audiences.
• Exceptional analysis skills, able to bring together complex pieces of information and present in a simple format.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with confidence to work on their own initiative and a proven ability to engage and influence at a senior level internally and with external contacts and collaborate effective across Embassy teams.
• Excellent organisational and self-management skills to respond effectively to tight – and changing – deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to learn quickly and work with a high degree of autonomy.
• A positive, “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
• Strong IT computer skills using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and internet/ web applications.