View Vacancy – AUH – Regional Business Support Manager (HEO)

The British Embassy Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for a Regional Business Support Manager under the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) on a fixed-term contract for one (1) year.

The Jobholder will provide strategic operational and leadership support to the UKVI Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, Pakistan and Turkey (MENACAPT) business command, overseeing the financial management and operational effectiveness of the region.

The jobholder will also be responsible for the daily operational management of a significant budget of over £500,000 and the oversight of the staff count database for 195 personnel.

This role involves managing regional returns and collaborating closely with the regional management team to align operational activities with business objectives, providing strategic advice on budgetary matters and operational efficiency.

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Duties and responsibilities:

Operational Leadership and Planning: (40%)

• Monitor staffing levels and workforce allocation. Conducting regular assessments to identify staffing gaps or excesses and recommend adjustments to ensure levels align with strategic objectives.
• Develop and implement monthly budget forecasts for a budget of £500,000, incorporating seasonal fluctuations and resource requirements, to inform decision-making.
• Manage and maintain accurate records of UKVI staff in the region, overseeing the headcount database and coordinating workforce planning initiatives.
• Coordinate quarterly reporting for the region, ensuring timely and accurate submission of reports to relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee the management and updating of UKVI MENACAPTs staffing spreadsheet.
• To support and cover for Regional Operations Manager (SEO) staff when needed.
• To directly Line Manage 2x EO staff.

Strategic and Financial Management: (30%)

• Strategically manage the daily financial operations of UKVI’s MENACAPT region by conducting thorough analysis, monitoring spending patterns, and evaluating financial performance.
• Prepare and analyse comprehensive Management Information reports for region, providing insights into financial trends and performance indicators.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of regional spend against budget allocations, monitoring spending patterns, and evaluating financial performance.
• Oversee the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process to ensure adherence to financial protocols, maintaining clear audit trails for all transactions and expenditures.

 Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: (20%)

• Build and maintain a comprehensive contacts database of relevant stakeholders, including partner organizations, government entities, and international agencies, to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration within the UKVI team and the regional management team to address queries and resolve issues.
• Liaise with the Office Manager and Business Support Unit on a regular basis to identify operational gaps and streamline processes to enhance efficiency.
• Collaborate with regional management team to understand their strategic requirements and align operational activities accordingly.
• Summarise key budget-related findings and observations in monthly review meetings, providing actionable insights to inform decision-making.

Customer Focus: (10%)

• Ensure all management information data and advice shared with regional management are accurate and tailored to meet their specific needs.
• Provide timely responses to queries related to budget codes, spends, variances, etc., maintaining a high level of customer service.

Resources Managed

• Direct line management of 2x EO Business Support Officers
• Non-Pay budget of over £500k

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:

• Seeing the bigger 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be able to obtain an appropriate level of UK Security Clearance and be able to obtain a valid UAE police clearance certificate. Higher clearances can be granted only to certain nationalities. For this reason, candidates must be of British, American, Australian, Canadian, or New Zealand nationality in order to gain and maintain the level of clearance required. 
• Applications will only be considered from those who are currently residing in the UAE and with a current and valid UAE resident visa.

• Demonstration of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in IT and administrative tasks, with advanced skills in MS Office applications, particularly spreadsheets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

         Language requirements: 

         Language: English
         Level of language required: Fluent spoken and written.