The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for Sport, Entertainment and EXPO Policy Officer, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), under the Economic and Prosperity Team. This is for a fixed term contract until 31 March 2026. It may be possible to extend the contract depending on operational requirements.

This is an exciting time of change and reform in Saudi Arabia, with Vision 2030 economic reforms providing unprecedented opportunities for the UK Sport and Education sector. The Sport, Entertainment and Expo Policy Advisor will shape the UK approach to collaboration on Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is a high priority bilateral relationship for the UK. The jobholder will lead the further development of the UK-Saudi partnership on Sport and Entertainment, focusing on the opportunities for the UK sectors as part of Saudi’s Vision 2030 economic reforms. They will identify relevant UK expertise across the UK Government and beyond that aligns with Saudi requirements – matching Saudi need to UK key strengths and areas where the UK has competitive advantage. The jobholder will understand the aims and policy context in the UK and Saudi Arabia, implement a strategy for cooperation, and facilitate exchange of expertise between the two countries to identify relevant partnership opportunities.

The jobholder will need to engage and coordinate with relevant Saudi government agencies, as well as the Prosperity Team, London-based colleagues and commercial colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) section of the Embassy.

The jobholder will be comfortable with both policy issues and with project management, as well as able to add value bringing a strategic approach. This is a visible role across the Embassy and with a wide range of UK Government partners, and the jobholder will have the opportunity to gain political analysis and project delivery experience, as well as develop economic and wider prosperity skills, influencing, and public diplomacy capabilities.

Roles and responsibilities:

Advise and support engagement between the UK and Saudi Governments on Sport and Entertainment. This will entail:

– Policy

• Develop an extensive knowledge of the sport and entertainment in UK and Saudi Arabia.
• Establish a strong contact network among leading figures in sport, and Entertainment in government, academia, and business in UK and Saudi Arabia.
• Build a nuanced understanding of the challenges facing the delivery of major sporting and entertainment events and provide regular reporting and analysis.
• Prepare oral and written briefings.
• Lead on Ministerial and senior official visits (inwards and outwards) to progress objectives and partnerships.
• Report to UK Government significant developments on sport and entertainment in Saudi Arabia.
• Coordinate UK Government engagement with Saudi Arabia on sport and Entertainment by building and maintaining strong partnerships with colleagues in different UK Government departments and coordinating regular meetings with them.
• Raise the profile of the UK-Saudi sport and Entertainment partnership by organising events e.g., seminars, signing ceremonies, and generating media coverage.

– Programme

• Design and secure funding for practical projects to strengthen the UK-Saudi culture, sport, and tourism partnership, and support the continuation of existing projects.
• Direct and manage project implementation.

– Corporate

• All staff are encouraged to contribute to the British embassy beyond their core jobs, e.g., organising away days and social events, driving initiatives to reduce the Embassy’s environmental impact.

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, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required:

• 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.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

• High standard of project and programme management skills and track record of successful project delivery.
• Excellent relationship development and management skills, capable of operating at all organisational levels. Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders in public and private sectors. Recognises the importance of developing a strong business network.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Ability to coordinate and contribute to strategy development and business planning.
• Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. With a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines.
• Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload; and a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Team player who is capable of working on their own initiative and manage others.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).