Job Description

PB9 Deployment Exercise 2012-1

Role Profile
Job Title
Directorate or Region
Location of post
Reports to

Country Director Saudi Arabia/Yemen

Middle East &
North Africa
Department/Country
(MENA)
Riyadh
Regional Director
MENA

Saudi Arabia & Yemen

(Acting)

Pay Band

9b

Duration of job

3+1

Purpose of job:
Provides strategic direction and leadership for Saudi Arabia. Ensures effective resource
management and business development to deliver the double bottom line of targets (financial and
impact). As a member of the MENA regional team, contributes to the development of regional
strategy, policy and decision making.
The key challenges are to use our market insight and networks to support UK education and
cultural organisations to build effective programmes of work in Saudi Arabia, to lead continuing
growth of our own portfolio, and to lead a large and dispersed team in a complex and challenging
operating context.
This post will continue to provide strategic direction and leadership of Yemen until a substantive
Director Yemen can be appointed.
Context and environment: (e.g. dept description, region description, organogram)
Saudi Arabia has an increasingly high profile with our external government stakeholders in the
UK. Membership of the G20, being the worlds largest oil producer, Saudis significance to some
2 billion Muslims, its influence within the Arab and Islamic world, and Saudis commercial
importance to UK are important reasons why. It is classified as one of the highest priority
countries for the FCO, and is critical to the Prime Ministers Gulf Initiative to increase and broaden
engagement with the Gulf States. Saudi is acknowledged as the priority country within the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia is at a fascinating moment. The Kingdom has ambitious plans to grow and diversify
its economy, build a knowledge economy and reduce reliance on the oil and gas sector. Almost
25% of non-oil GDP is spent on education, training and manpower, and the school, college and
university sector is growing at a remarkable rate to absorb the c 60% of the population that is
under 21. The role of women is also opening up with increasing education and work
opportunities. Education is recognised as one of the critical elements of the bilateral relationship,
with major commercial significance for the UK and growing UKTI and others are active.
Saudi Arabia is a complex operating environment, with considerable restrictions on our relations
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with government institutions. Much of our activity requires government permission and
segregation of sexes, visas for visitors and colleagues can be slow, and this means that
perseverance, and careful and early planning is essential.
The wider tension between those who support reform of Saudi Arabias education and other
systems and those who do not, can make this is a difficult place to deliver cultural relations, and
cultural sensitivity, persistence and strong relationship building are key. The scale of opportunity
for our work combined with the challenges makes this a fascinating place to live and work.
The post-holder will have a strong impact on the BCs reputation with our T1 target audiences in
Saudi Arabia, and with high profile stakeholders in the UK. The post-holder needs to build and
maintain sensitive and high-profile bilateral relations, within the Saudi cultural context, to win and
maintain their appreciation, support and advocacy of British Council work and to enable us to
secure project and partnership opportunities.
The post-holder leads a team of c 160, including large Teaching and Exams businesses Saudi
Arabia is currently the 4th largest generator of surplus globally for teaching, and for Exams.
The Saudi Arabian political environment, the complex dynamic surrounding working with
international organisations in education and cultural fields, and the wide range of UK stakeholders
mean that there is a high degree of complexity inherent in all activity and the stakes are high.
Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties: (including people management and
finance)
As member of the MENA regional executive and management teams, to contribute to regional objectives
and strategy

To develop strategic partnerships that extend reach, impact and generate income within Country
and the wider region
To develop and implement country strategy and business plan and be accountable for
management of risk and delivery of agreed performance targets
To ensure achievement of the business plan by providing effective leadership to country team to
develop agreed strategy
To manage talent and staff performance in country
To manage key stakeholders and relationships with an interest in our Country operations
To be accountable for overseeing the financial management of the operation and ensuring all
financial targets (expenditure and income) are met

Key relationships: (include internal and external)

Partnership and Business Development Team
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Schools & Culture Department
FCO
MENA SBU leads
MENA marcomms team
UUK, BIS, Association of Colleges, TVET UK
Teaching and Exams regional Business Development Managers

Other important features or requirements of the job (e.g. travel, unsocial/evening hours,
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restrictions on employment etc)

The Saudi authorities have effectively contained the threat of terrorist activity within the Kingdom.
Although the risk remains, the threat assessment is the lowest it has been for many years. Saudi Arabia is
predominantly safe with low risk of personal crime. Women may not drive in Saudi Arabia, and there are
various norms related to dress and mixing that although not stringently applied to expatriates need to be
observed. There is a limited range of social venues and opportunities, and alcohol is banned.
The role is responsible for a large team in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al;-Khobar, so regular travel in Saudi is
expected in order to develop new partnerships and local delivery. Frequent travel within the region and to
UK is required, as is weekend and evening work.
Travel to Yemen currently requires completion of the Security Awareness in Fragile Environments and
Close Protection courses within the last 3 years, and currently involves travel in armoured vehicles with
armed guard.

Please specify any

UK passport holders only. This post holds diplomatic status
passport/visa and/or nationality
requirement.
Please indicate if any security
Security Clearance required.
or legal checks are required for
this role.

Person Specification
Essential
Behaviours

Desirable

Shaping the future (most

Short listing &
Interview

demanding)

Creating shared purpose

(most demanding)

Assessment
stage

Connecting with others (most

demanding)

Making it happen (most

demanding)

Working together (most

Requirements
of the job, but
not assessed
for recruitment
purposes

demanding)

Being accountable (most

demanding)

Skills and
Knowledge

Business Management &

Development, especially
Market Analysis & Business
Strategy Level 3
Financial planning and
management (level 3)
Knowledge and/or experience
3 of 4

Short listing &

Interview

Experience of working

Short listing &

Recruitment Team September 2011

Experience

of English teaching/project
work, and of education work

in a middle eastern
country

Interview

Arabic to B1

Short listing &

Interview

Qualifications
Language
proficiency

Submitted by

Date

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Recruitment Team September 2011