AUH - SDI Senior Trade Specialist, Energy Transition (HEO)

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An international trade organization in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Senior Trade Specialist to enhance trade opportunities in the UAE's energy sector. The role requires a deep understanding of the energy transition market and excellent project management skills. Ideal candidates should possess a business-related degree and a minimum of five years of relevant experience. This full-time position offers a competitive salary of AED 26,395 per month.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• At least five years of business development experience.
• Strong understanding of decarbonisation technologies.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills.

Responsibilities

• Advance and maintain strategic relationships with key organisations.
• Deliver strategic guidance to Scottish companies in UAE.
• Lead key events to support Scottish trade in the region.

Skills

Understanding of UAE Energy transition market

Project management skills

Communication skills in English

Strong IT skills

Ability to work independently

Interpersonal skills

Education

University degree in business / economics / engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook)

Job description

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 do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for a Senior Trade Specialist under Scottish Development International (SDI), job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO). This is for a fixed-term contract for three (3) years, with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance and on on‑going business requirement.

Scottish Development International (SDI) is Scotland’s trade and inward investment agency responsible for delivering on the Scottish Government’s ambitious international trade strategy. SDI are looking for a Senior Trade Specialist to join our EMEA Energy Transition team to develop further our trade activities within the Energy Transition sector.

The Scottish energy supply chain has a lot to offer the world. International trade, as well as international collaborations, are key to a successful global energy transition, and the UAE is an important partner in Scotland’s internationalisation strategy.

The main objective of this position is to develop and maintain strategic relationships that will help increase Scottish exports, and to identify new export opportunities in the UAE (80%) and surrounding markets (20%). This will also include leading the delivery of complex projects such as trade missions, providing specialist support to Scottish companies seeking to do business internationally, and working closely with internal and external stakeholders.

The FCDO is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We do not discriminate on any basis, including categories protected by law. In keeping with the FCDO’s commitment to disability inclusion in the workplace, hiring managers must incorporate the principles set out in the FCDO in the CBS recruitment process. Our CBS are recruited by Missions in-country in line with local employment laws.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Advance and maintain strategic relationships with key private and public organisations in order to identify trade opportunities for Scottish companies.
• Deliver strategic guidance and expert support to Scottish companies seeking to access and grow within energy markets in the UAE (+ GCC region).
• Deliver against Scottish Government export targets and raise the profile of Scotland as a leader in low carbon and renewable energy technologies, building‑up on recent high‑profile initiatives such as COP28 and Scotland Week in the UAE.
• Deliver key events and activities which support Scottish trade work in country, including (physical and virtual) digital workshops, roadshows, trade delegations and missions.
• Lead on the development of effective partnerships and networks with stakeholders such as local Chambers of Commerce, the Energy Industries Council (EIC), trade associations, procurement organisations, industry bodies, and GlobalScots.
• Collaborate regularly in a meaningful manner with Partners from across other Government departments including the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), as well as national / regional and local entities.
• Support and leverage visits into the region by Scottish / UK Ministers and senior officials with existing investors, prospects, customers, and public and private stakeholders.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Required behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• 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.

Eligibility:

• Applications will only be considered from those who are currently residing in the UAE and with a current and valid UAE resident visa. Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their UAE resident visa / Emirates ID.
• Applicants must be available in a full-time capacity.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• University degree in business / economics / engineering or equivalent business development experience of at least five (5) years.
• A strong understanding of the UAE Energy transition market (decarbonisation technologies such as CCS & Hydrogen; decommissioning, renewables) with existing and proven energy networks and relationships in the UAE and in the GCC region.
• Proven project management skills.
• Flexible, resilient under pressure, and decisive, with a proven track record of working quickly and reliably with attention to detail and with limited supervision. Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and to take the initiative as well as being able to work well as part of a larger team to deliver results.
• A collaborative team player who can work successfully within a regional and ‘virtual team’ to achieve common objectives. Ability to initiate and maintain a wide range of working relationships.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills. Proven ability to engage at all levels internally and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:

• Arabic language skills (both written and spoken).
• Knowledge of the Scottish economy and its contribution to UK prosperity.

Application deadline 14 December 2025 Grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Type of Position Full‑time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal Working hours per week 40 Region Middle East & North Africa Country / Territory United Arab Emirates Location (City) Abu Dhabi Type of Post British Embassy Number of vacancies 1 Salary Currency AED Salary 26,395 Type of Salary monthly Start Date 2 February 2026 Other benefits and conditions of employment

Working hours and remuneration :

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, which includes 25 days of leave per annum (calculated pro‑rata).

The salary for this role is AED 26,395 per month.

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This role is for a full-time employment, on a fixed term contract basis for three (3) years, subject to six (6) months’ probationary period. The contract may be extended, subject to satisfactory performance and on on‑going business requirement.

The Embassy is open from Monday to Friday from 0700 to 1800 hrs. The Employee’s normal weekly working hours are forty (40) Monday to Friday (inclusive). This is inclusive of one‑hour paid rest break for each five (5) hours worked; the timing of the rest break shall be approved by the Employee’s Line Manager and in accordance with operational requirements.

Whilst the role is based in Abu Dhabi, the jobholder will be required to visit the Embassy in Dubai occasionally. The jobholder must also be available for occasional travel within the region and further afield to the UK for business / official purposes. The successful candidate must be able to secure visas for these countries.

The jobholder will be required to be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening / weekend) during visits and events.

The Embassy has an active Learning and Development Committee, and the whole of Post is committed to providing the time and resources for staff to develop personally and professionally. The 70 / 20 / 10 learning and development model is applied in a flexible manner, with extensive informal and formal opportunities readily available.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.