Cultural Advisor

Swan Global; Abadilah; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Part time

Job summary

Swan Global is seeking an experienced Cultural Advisor to support U.S. Government operations in the United Arab Emirates. The successful candidate will act as a trusted cultural and linguistic advisor, providing guidance on UAE customs, social norms, and government protocols, coordinating with U.S.

military personnel, Host Nation authorities, and other stakeholders. This 3-year contract requires USC citizenship, active SECRET clearance, fluent Arabic and English, and the ability to travel within

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen with active SECRET clearance.
• Holder of a valid U.S. passport and required driving docs.
• Proficient in Arabic and English at ILR Level 3+ or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain visas and Host Nation access approvals.
• Strong knowledge of UAE culture, customs, and government protocols.
• Experience working in USCENTCOM operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Advise U.S. military leadership on UAE culture, customs, and local protocols.
• Build and maintain relationships with Host Nation officials.
• Provide Arabic-English interpretation, translation, and transcription services.
• Support operations including immigration, contracting, engineering projects, logistics, medical support, and public affairs.
• Deliver cultural awareness briefings and orientation sessions for deployments.

Skills

US Citizenship

SECRET Security Clearance

Arabic-English ILR 3+

Bilingual communication

Diplomatic communication

Job description

Job Description – Cultural Advisor

Position: Cultural Advisor
Location: UAE
Contract Duration: 3 Years
Employment Type: Contract
Security Requirement: Active SECRET Security Clearance
Nationality: U.S. Citizen (Mandatory)

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Cultural Advisor to support U.S. Government operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The successful candidate will serve as a trusted cultural and linguistic advisor, providing expert guidance on UAE customs, traditions, social norms, and government protocols. This role requires close coordination with U.S. military personnel, Host Nation authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication, mission success, and strong bilateral relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise U.S. military leadership on UAE culture, traditions, customs, etiquette, and local protocols.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen professional relationships with Host Nation military, government, and civilian officials.
• Provide accurate Arabic-to-English and English-to-Arabic interpretation, translation, and transcription services.
• Support operational activities involving:
  • Immigration and customs
  • Contracting and procurement
  • Engineering projects
  • Logistics operations
  • Medical support
  • Public affairs
  • Military and operational coordination
• Deliver cultural awareness briefings and orientation sessions to U.S. personnel before and during deployments or mission activities.
• Assist during meetings, negotiations, conferences, site visits, key leader engagements, and official ceremonies.
• Facilitate effective communication between U.S. personnel and Host Nation representatives.
• Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, and ad hoc reports as required by the Government.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. Government policies and Host Nation regulations.
• Respond to mission-critical tasks, emergency requirements, and short-notice operational requests.
• Maintain confidentiality and safeguard sensitive information in accordance with security clearance requirements.
• Travel within the UAE or other assigned locations as required to support mission objectives.

Mandatory Qualifications

Candidates must possess the following:

• U.S. Citizenship (Mandatory)
• Active SECRET Security Clearance
• Valid U.S. Passport
• Valid U.S. Driver's License
• International Driver's Permit (IDP)
• Ability to obtain required visas and Host Nation access approvals
• Arabic and English language proficiency at ILR Level 3+ (or equivalent)
• Strong knowledge of UAE culture, customs, traditions, government protocols, and social practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Arabic and English
• Ability to work effectively within USCENTCOM operational environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Government, or coalition military operations.
• Prior experience serving as a Cultural Advisor, Interpreter, Translator, or Liaison Officer in the Middle East.
• Experience working with UAE Government entities or the UAE Armed Forces.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced, multicultural environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and report preparation.

Key Competencies

• Cross-cultural communication
• Professional interpretation and translation
• Stakeholder engagement
• Diplomatic communication
• Mission support and coordination
• Operational planning
• Report writing and documentation
• Confidentiality and integrity
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Team collaboration under high-pressure environments