Programme Manager

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental organization in Riyadh is seeking a Programme Manager for a fixed term role under the Economic and Prosperity Team. The successful candidate will lead the strategic management of the Gulf Strategy Fund, ensuring delivery aligns with UK policy objectives. Responsibilities include overseeing budget, managing stakeholder relationships, and tracking program impact. Ideal candidates will have strong analytical, financial management, and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record in project management.

Benefits

Visa sponsorship

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in programme/project management including delivery, risk management, and financial oversight.
• Strong analytical skills, with ability to interpret data and develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Resilience, adaptability and ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic design, planning and delivery of the GSF portfolio.
• Oversee project delivery ensuring adherence to FCDO programme management requirements.
• Build strong relationships with key Saudi government ministries and represent the GSF portfolio.

Skills

Programme/project management

Risk management

Financial oversight

Interpersonal communication

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

IT skills

Resilience

Education

Experience in Programme/Project Management

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)

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.

Job Category Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles) Job Subcategory Economic and Prosperity Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Programme Manager, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) under the Economic and Prosperity Team, on a fixed term contract until 31 March 2027, with possibility of extension depending on performance and operational requirements.

The Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) is a key UK Government instrument for advancing shared UK–Saudi objectives, including economic reform, institutional capacity building, security cooperation, and cultural and social development. From Financial Year 2026 onwards, the Embassy is likely to receive a multi‑year, multi‑million‑pound GSF allocation, requiring strong strategic planning, risk management, and senior‑level engagement.

The jobholder will be responsible for ensuring that the programme delivers measurable impact, aligns with UK policy objectives, and complies with all FCDO programme management, procurement, and financial guidance. The role includes direct line management of an Executive Officer (EO) Programme Officer, ensuring operational delivery supports strategic direction.

The post is line‑managed by the First Secretary Economic Diplomacy and Culture, and the jobholder will regularly brief the Deputy Ambassador, Ambassador, and senior UK‑based colleagues, as well as represent the Embassy with Saudi government partners and implementers.

Roles and responsibilities

Strategic Programme Leadership

• Lead the strategic design, planning and delivery of the Embassy’s expanding GSF portfolio, ensuring clear alignment with the Embassy’s Country Business Plan, wider HMG regional priorities, and fund‑level objectives.
• Provide authoritative advice to senior embassy leadership on programme performance, opportunities, and risks, including options for adaptation and improvement.
• Shape a coherent multi‑year delivery pipeline and ensure projects are sequenced effectively to maximise impact and value for money.

Programme Oversight, Assurance and Impact

• Oversee delivery across all projects, ensuring adherence to FCDO programme management requirements, robust financial governance, and regular due‑diligence checks.
• Lead on impact tracking and evaluation, supporting both project‑level and portfolio‑level learning and adaptation.
• Ensure all implementers have clear guidance, logical frameworks, and tools to track indicators, outcomes and risks.
• Horizon‑scan for policy developments, operational risks or contextual changes in Saudi Arabia that may affect delivery and propose timely mitigation measures.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Build strong working relationships with key Saudi government ministries, institutions, and agencies, as well as other donors and international partners.
• Represent the GSF portfolio in senior‑level discussions, including with the Ambassador, Deputy Ambassador, and UK‑based teams across FCDO and other Government Departments.
• Coordinate closely with policy leads, ensuring programme interventions complement diplomatic initiatives and directly support UK strategic objectives in the kingdom.

Financial Management

• Ensure accurate and timely forecasting, monitoring and reporting of programme expenditure, working with Corporate Services and the GSF central team.
• Lead annual and quarterly portfolio reviews, budget reallocation exercises, and maintain strong financial controls to secure full, compliant spend.

Line Management

• Manage, motivate and develop the EO Programme Officer, ensuring high‑quality financial tracking, documentation, and administrative support.
• Provide coaching and direction to strengthen capability, embedding FCDO best practice in programme management.

Corporate Contribution

• Support crisis response work and contribute to wider Embassy corporate objectives, including participation in emergency planning and cross‑Mission committees where required.
• Identify opportunities to promote programme successes publicly in coordination with the Embassy Communications team.

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.
• Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• 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.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Demonstrable experience in programme/project management, including delivery, risk management, and financial oversight.
• Ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders, including government officials, senior diplomats, and delivery partners.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, assess risks, and develop evidence‑based recommendations.
• Proven organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English (written and spoken).
• Ability to build and sustain collaborative working relationships across diverse teams.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
• Resilience, adaptability and the ability to deliver high‑quality work under pressure.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Experience of working within government, international organisations, or large non‑profit programmes.
• Familiarity with FCDO programme management approaches and requirements.
• Experience working with Saudi government institutions or strong knowledge of the Saudi policy environment.
• Formal project/programme management training (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile, PMD Pro).

Required behaviours

Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline

22 February 2026

Position details

Grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position Full-time, Fixed Term
Working hours per week 35
Duration of Post 12 months
Region Middle East & North Africa
Country/Territory Saudi Arabia
Location (City) Riyadh
Type of Post British Embassy
Number of vacancies 1
Salary Currency SAR 20,460
Type of Salary monthly
Start Date 1 April 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Eligibility

• The British Embassy provides visa sponsorship. The British Embassy will be able to employ you on the condition that we are able to obtain the required residence and work permit in Saudi.
• If you already have the right to work and reside in Saudi (iqama), you will be required to transfer your visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

Working hours and remuneration

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Monthly salary details

• Base Salary – 15,968.00
• Housing Allowance - SAR 3,992.00 (subject to eligibility) *
• Travel Allowance - SAR 500.00 (subject to eligibility) *
• Total - SAR 20,460.00

*Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form. Spouses/ Dependants of UKBS officers working at the Embassy are not eligible to Housing or Travel Allowance.

No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is for a fixed term contract until 31 March 2027, with possibility of extension depending on performance and operational requirements. The British Embassy Riyadh employs Country Based Staff in line with Saudi Labour Law.

This position is full‑time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08:00 to 15:00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10:00-15:00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs.

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. Flexible working arrangements may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90‑day probationary period.

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