His Majesty”s Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan is seeking a Director for the Office for the region at Grade 6+. This is a fixed term contract for three (3) years and will be based at the British Embassy Dubai.  This role, together with the Trade Commissioner, the Riyadh-based Director for Trade and the COO, will comprise the Senior Leadership of the Middle East and Pakistan region. 

HMTC is responsible for delivering the UK Department for Business and Trade’s growth priorities across the Middle East and Pakistan. HMTC has teams in 10 markets across the region which deliver growth through Trade (Exports, Market Access and Trade Policy) and Investment. 

The Office for Investment (OfI) plays a vital role in supporting the UK Government’s ambition to drive economic growth by attracting high-value investment, creating jobs, and boosting productivity across the country, and contributing to the UK’s economic security. The Middle East, particularly the Gulf, is one of the most important regions for achieving these goals. It is home to some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds and a unique blend of government and commercial influence. The UK already benefits from investment partnerships across the GCC, with commitments exceeding £40 billion.

We are looking for an experienced and strategic leader to take on the role of Director of Investment for the Middle East and Pakistan, based in the United Arab Emirates. This is a high-impact role with responsibility for driving investment into the UK from across the region. It involves regular travel within the region and to the UK and offers the opportunity to work at the heart of one of the UK’s most important international investment priorities.

The successful candidate will lead the development and delivery of OfI’s strategy in the region, with the goal of securing over £50 billion in investment over the next five years. They will build and manage a high-performing team, set clear objectives and success metrics, and foster a culture of excellence and collaboration. A key part of the role will be engaging directly with sovereign and private funds at the most senior levels, promoting the UK as a world-class investment destination and helping to fast-track capital flows.

In addition to leading the regional OfI team, the Director will act as a senior advisor to UK Government stakeholders, including No.10, Ministers, Ambassadors, and the Cabinet Office, providing strategic insight and recommendations. 

As a member of the HMTC region’s Senior Leadership Team they will contribute to the wider Department for Business and Trade agenda, including exports, market access, trade policy and economic security. The post holder will support HMTC in the delivery of a major change programme in the region.

This is a unique opportunity for someone with deep experience in investment, finance, or international business, and a strong understanding of the Middle East’s economic landscape. The role requires exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to build trusted relationships at the highest levels.

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 Disability Confident scheme job applications in the CBS recruitment process.  Our CBS are recruited by Missions in-country in line with local employment laws.

Duties and responsibilities:

Delivery:

Lead on investment delivery for the Middle East and Pakistan, driving growth into areas of strategic importance for the UK, aligned with the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

• Implement and lead a dedicated cross regional investment team in co-ordination with the UK expansion of OfI.
• Design the strategy and vision for the Office for Investment (OfI) in the Middle East and Pakistan.
• Leading the creation and development of the OfI team, including recruitment, performance management, and ensuring alignment with the broader departmental goals.
• Ensuring team performance is aligned with ambitious targets, setting KPIs, and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Leading meetings with senior leadership within HMG to report progress and seek guidance.

Senior Representation and Account Management:

Be a senior representative of His Majesty’s Government and be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at the highest level across private and public sectors. Hold key account relationships with the most senior levels of business and government in GCC.  

• Engaging with sovereign wealth funds, private investors, and key government officials in the Middle East and Pakistan.
• Building relationships with senior-level investors, government ministers, and diplomatic figures to promote the UK as an investment destination.
• Facilitating ongoing partnerships and ensuring smooth communication with stakeholders from the UK, Middle East, and Pakistan, including Ambassadors and High Commissioners.
• Attending and representing HMG at high-level forums, conferences, and meetings.

Leadership:

• As a member of MEaP SLT, advising HMTC MEaP on approach to evolving HMG strategy (i.e. Export Review, Overseas Network Review, Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy), advising resources deployments and priorities.   
• Designing the strategy and vision for the Office for Investment (OfI) in the Middle East and Pakistan.
• Ensuring team performance is aligned with ambitious targets, setting KPIs, and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Leading meetings with senior leadership within HMG to report progress and seek guidance.

Strategy setting and implementation: 

Provide strategic direction and strong, compassionate leadership to MEaP teams to maintain elevated levels of engagement, including through a strong commitment to continuous learning to sustain a high performing, inclusive and professional team.  

Resources Managed:

The jobholder will report directly into HMTC alongside the Deputy Trade Commissioner and will be wholly responsible for the OfI team in region.   

The post will be responsible for management and direction for 10 Investment Partners across the GCC. Providing strategic direction and inspiring leadership to team and maintain high levels of employee engagement.   

The jobholder will play an active post in the regional leadership of the broader DBT network across the region.

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:

• Leadership – Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
• 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.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• 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:

• The successful applicant will be required to obtain the necessary security clearance. Higher clearances can be granted only to certain nationalities. For this reason, candidates must be of British, American, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand or EU nationality to gain the level of clearance required for this role.

• Strong financial and investment knowledge, especially in sovereign wealth funds, private equity, and institutional investors.
• Deep understanding of the political, economic, and cultural landscape of the Middle East, Pakistan, and the UK’s trade and foreign policy objectives.
• Familiarity with regional business practices, investment trends, and regulatory environments. And insight into local market dynamics and ability to adapt strategies accordingly.
• Strategic leadership with experience managing large, multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments.
• Strong decision-making and judgment, with the ability to set a clear vision and motivate teams.
• Excellent analytical and financial skills, including interpreting data, assessing opportunities, and managing negotiations.
• High-level diplomatic and stakeholder engagement skills, with political sensitivity and discretion.
• Exceptional communication skills: both written and verbal, with the ability to brief senior leaders and negotiate effectively.
• Advanced problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Results-driven mindset with a focus on tracking performance and delivering against ambitious targets.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in high-pressure, complex environments.
• Proven track record in investment, capital markets, or related fields, ideally involving large-scale, cross-border investments.
• Experience working with high-net-worth investors and financial institutions in the Middle East and Pakistan.
• Demonstrated success in delivering large-scale, high-impact projects with measurable outcomes.